What is Academic & Executive Function Coaching?

As an Academic and Executive Function Coach, I support, educate and collaborate with students to 

create customized systems, routines and strategies using a strength and solution based framework. The students I work with are very intelligent, but often struggle to show what they know and execute tasks, which can lead to resistance, frustration, shame and shutdown.

 

My goal is to educate students about ADHD, to better understand how their brain is wired. My approach empowers the student to use their strengths, and newly acquired knowledge around ADHD, to be able to identify challenges and develop solutions so they can be more independent, confident, proactive and effective in managing ADHD.

 

Many teens struggle with accepting ADHD. They often struggle in silence, or outwardly resist support. Emotionally accepting, owning and observing how ADHD impacts their daily life and managing it takes time. As a coach I strive to create a safe space for students to feel comfortable to take small steps at their own pace. We will leverage their strengths, while finding solutions to propel them to reach their potential and achieve their goals.

 I am also certified to teach Study Skills, as well as Stress Management to help students create a school/life balance.

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The Executive Function System

 

​Executive Functions are the brain's self management system, and play a critical role in remembering and managing day-to-day tasks. The Executive Function System is built upon the ability to visualize and plan over time, to simulate the future, organize, prioritize, talk through, problem solve, make decisions, and revise what comes up in our day, week or month so we can plan and execute tasks efficiently and on time to achieve a goal. 

 

Tools such as calendars, task lists, visual timers and analogue clocks externalize the thinking processes, make time visible and concrete, and support the management our daily tasks. As we age we are required to remember more information, and plan over longer distances of time.

 

The foundation of the system is built upon developing, implementing and maintaining Mindsets, Systems & Skills, and Routines, while effectively monitoring our actions and regulating ourselves as we move through space and time each day.

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Executive Functions

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Time Management

Organization

Planning & Prioritization

Attention/Focus

Task Transitions

Details

Goal Directed Persistence/Follow Through

Problem Solving

Cognitive Flexibility

Self Advocacy

Emotional Self Regulation

Task Initiation

Social Executive Skills (Perspective Taking/Reading a Room)

Working Memory (Verbal & Nonverbal)

Metacognition (Self-Awareness)

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Study Skills: 

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Strategic Learning & Studying

Neuroscience behind learning

The Study Cycle

Active Recall & Spaced Repetition

Note-Taking

Assignment Planning

Test-Taking Preparation & Strategies

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Emotional Self Regulation & Stress Management

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Identify individual stressors that drain our energy

Identify and work on customized healthy ways to reduce stress and fuel our brain and body

Learn some science on how excessive stress affects the mind and body

Recover and Restore to create balance and overall well-being

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Parents report that working with a coach leads to:

 

Less Arguments about school

Less Nagging

Improved Communication with their teen

Improved Parent/Teen Relationship

Increased teen Independence

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Academic Coaching Versus Tutoring?

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Traditional tutoring focuses on working with students who are having difficulty with the content of a specific subject. As an Academic & Executive Function coach, I help students successfully navigate the entire school experience, as they develop their Executive Functioning and Study Skills while learning to management their stress in healthy ways. These life skills can be carried through to adulthood.