Executive Function 
Coaching

What's Executive Functioning?

In a nutshell, Executive Functioning is our ability to make decisions in the short term that help us achieve long-term goals. Executive functioning helps us not fall prey to short-term gratification, avoid distractions, plan, and prioritize. There are eleven key executive functioning skills:

• Working Memory: The ability to hold information in your head while you're using it, as well as the ability to apply prior experiences to future experiences/learn from your mistakes.

• Task Initiation: The ability to begin a task

• Response Inhibition: The ability to think before you act

• Planning/Prioritization: The ability to create a roadmap to reach a goal or to complete a task.  It also involves being able to make decisions about what's important to focus on and what's not important.  

• Emotional Control: The ability to manage your emotions/not explode

• Organization: The ability to keep track of information and materials.

• Sustained Attention: The ability to maintain attention once you begin a task.

• Time Management: The ability to effectively manage your time

• Flexibility: The ability to switch activities or accept different ways to do something.

• Metacognition: The ability to think about your thinking/reflect

• Goal-Directed Persistence: The ability to work towards a goal (across multiple assignments)

What's Executive Function Coaching?

Executive Function coaching is a cycle of goal setting, progress monitoring, and problem-solving. I am your partner in setting and reaching the goals you set for yourself. You should not view your coach as an authority figure, but as a teammate and partner helping you navigate school.

1. Getting to Know You and Goal Setting
   Your first meeting with me may be longer than typical as I work to get to know you, help you think through your strengths and weaknesses, and set short and long-term goals.

2. Regular Coaching Sessions
   We create a schedule and meet regularly to check in about your goals, help solve any problems that have come up, and make a study plan. You might stay at this step for a trimester or more, especially if you decide to add or modify goals as you progress. Daily coaching follows the basic structure:
    - Review plan from previous coaching session
    - Evaluate how it went, what went well what needed improvement
    - Anticipate what tasks need to be completed today, and what's coming up and due soon
    - Plan how and when to complete each task.

3. Fading
   The eventual goal of coaching is to not need it anymore! I will help you make a plan to reduce coaching sessions, and eventually, you will be able to apply what you've learned independently!