What Does an Executive Function Coach Do?

An Executive Function Coach Supports the Development and Strengthening of Executive Function Skills:

• Reviewing and interpreting neuropsychological reports and related evaluations from parents, students and therapists to get a more complete understanding of the student's Executive Function challenges
  
  
• Analyzing data, designing coaching priorities and establishing goals with students
  
  
• Identifying a student’s Executive Function challenges and their underlying academic issues and the relationship between them
  
  
• Understanding students’ mindsets and identifying and prioritizing Executive Function areas of concentration
  
  
• Introducing tools and strategies that will "level the playing field" for students, addressing each Executive Function challenge they are struggling with one at a time
  
  
• Regularly reviewing progress and updating coaching priorities based on student progress and mindset
  
  
• Coordinating with the student’s family and academic support team to ensure consistency of support
  
  
• Evaluating progress of Executive Function skill development in each area and making adjustments as needed
  
  
• Anticipating changes and demands in students’ environment and supporting them in being proactive in preparing for transitions and upcoming challenges
  
  
• Collaborating with and referring to outstanding providers of supplemental services

Click here for a free 30 minute consultation to find out if your child would benefit from having an Executive Function Coach!

How Does an Executive Function Coach Empower Students to Become Successful, Independent Learners and Improve Academic Performance?

• Building relationships with students by creating a safe environment and through positive reinforcement

• Fostering understanding of student's strengths in order to increase self-confidence

• Modeling organizational skills and encouraging establishment of a system or routine for homework, writing, test prep, workspace and belongings

• Helping students to develop planning & prioritizing strategies for homework, short and long term projects and test prep

• Teaching effective time management skills and study strategies for greatly reducing homework time

• Identifying strategies to manage distractions and improve focus, concentration and sustained attention

• De-emphasizing students’ limitations and teaching coping mechanisms

• Understanding of students’ needs in a variety of settings including periods of transition

• Expanding student self-advocacy skills and encouraging independence

• Stimulating students’ intellectual curiosity

• Developing reading comprehension skills across all academic subjects

• Teaching the recognition of main ideas and salient features in reading materials

• Gathering, analyzing and synthesizing information for research projects

• Teaching and supporting students in all stages of the writing process including: planning, organizing, drafting, editing and revising

• Developing strategies for problem solving and analysis

• Supporting approaches for computation of math problems and understanding of concepts

• Teaching metacognitive approaches (thinking about thinking) including self-monitoring and mindful reflection on outcomes

• Encouraging active studying strategies to improve retention

• Using apps and other tools to support students with improving retention and recall of information

• Developing individualized study strategies

 Click here if your are ready to get started with an Executive Function Coach for your child!

How Does an Executive Function Coach Improve Relationships?

• Helping students recognize the relationship between learning and behavior, and encouraging development of appropriate behavior and social skills.

• Encouraging students to self-advocate and establish good relationships with teachers

• Offering parents an opportunity to take a break from their role as "the homework police" and ending homework battles between parents and children

How Does an Executive Function Coach Reduce Anxiety & Build Confidence?

• Creating a safe space for students to express their feelings and concerns related to academic performance

• Exploring the social and emotional factors that interfere with academic performance

• Teaching strategies for dealing with avoidance and resistance to challenging situations

• Helping students to realistically face and work through self-confidence issues

• Encouraging reflection, flexible thinking and perspective taking to solve problems

• Celebrating successes and recognizing that academic activities have a positive value