By: Caitlin Miller, M.Ed.

Executive functioning (EF) refers to the set of cognitive skills that help individuals plan, organize, manage time, solve problems, and regulate emotions and behavior. For children and teens, especially those struggling with ADHD, learning disabilities, or other challenges, executive functioning coaching can provide significant support. Here are practical reasons why parents should consider seeking executive functioning coaching for their children and teens:

1. Improving Organization and Time Management Skills

• Creating Routines: Many children and teens struggle with staying organized, keeping track of assignments, or managing their time effectively. Executive functioning coaching teaches kids how to create routines, use planners or digital tools, and break down tasks into manageable steps.
• Academic Success: Coaching helps teens improve their ability to meet deadlines, manage schoolwork efficiently, and balance academic demands. It can be especially useful for children struggling with procrastination or forgetfulness.

2. Helping with Homework and Study Strategies

• Reducing Homework Stress: Executive functioning coaching can provide children with strategies for staying on top of homework and assignments. This includes breaking tasks into smaller, more manageable parts and setting specific goals for each study session.
• Boosting Study Habits: Coaching helps teens develop effective study habits, such as creating a quiet, distraction-free environment, setting a regular study schedule, and using study aids like flashcards or practice tests.

3. Building Self-Regulation and Emotional Control

• Managing Frustration and Impulsivity: Children and teens with poor executive functioning skills often struggle to regulate their emotions, leading to outbursts, frustration, or impulsivity. Coaching helps them develop emotional regulation strategies, such as pausing before reacting, using calming techniques, or practicing mindfulness.
• Increasing Self-Control: Coaching helps kids learn to manage their impulses, particularly in situations where they may feel overwhelmed or distracted, such as in class or during social interactions.

4. Enhancing Focus and Attention

• Reducing Distractions: Many children, especially those with ADHD, have difficulty focusing and staying on task. Executive functioning coaching helps them develop strategies to limit distractions, such as using timers, breaking tasks into short intervals, or finding a conducive environment for work or study.
• Improving Task Completion: Coaching can improve focus by teaching children how to prioritize tasks and break larger tasks into more manageable steps. This makes it easier for them to complete assignments or activities without feeling overwhelmed.

5. Strengthening Problem-Solving Skills

• Approaching Challenges: Teens often face complex decisions and challenges, both academically and socially. Coaching helps children develop strategies for thinking critically and breaking down problems into smaller, solvable pieces.
• Improving Decision-Making: Coaching can help children learn how to evaluate different options, weigh the pros and cons, and make decisions that align with their long-term goals.

6. Fostering Independence and Self-Advocacy

• Encouraging Responsibility: Executive functioning coaching helps children and teens take more responsibility for their own tasks and goals. By learning to plan, manage their time, and organize their work, they become more independent and confident in their abilities.
• Advocating for Needs: Coaching can also help children and teens learn how to advocate for themselves, whether it’s asking for accommodations at school, speaking up for what they need in social situations, or expressing their feelings and concerns in a constructive way.

7. Improving Social Skills and Relationship Management

• Social Problem-Solving: Executive functioning coaching can teach teens how to navigate social situations, manage conflicts, and respond appropriately to peer pressure or group dynamics.
• Building Empathy and Communication: Through coaching, teens can learn how to regulate their emotions during social interactions, manage frustration or misunderstandings, and communicate more effectively with peers and adults.

8. Supporting Long-Term Goal Setting

• Setting Realistic Goals: Coaching helps children and teens set achievable short-term and long-term goals. They learn how to break larger goals down into smaller, actionable steps, which helps them stay motivated and track their progress.
• Building Future-Oriented Thinking: Executive functioning coaching fosters a mindset of planning for the future. Teens are encouraged to think about their long-term goals, such as college, career, or personal aspirations, and develop a concrete plan to achieve them.

9. Assisting with Transitions and Major Life Changes

• Managing Transitions: Whether transitioning from middle school to high school or adjusting to new routines at home or school, executive functioning coaching helps children and teens manage change. This includes building routines that support their academic and personal growth during periods of transition.
• Supporting Life Changes: Coaching can also provide support for major life changes, such as moving to a new town, dealing with a family separation, or adjusting to the demands of adolescence. It helps children build resilience and manage the emotional impact of these changes.

10. Improving Motivation and Engagement

• Overcoming Procrastination: Many children and teens with executive functioning challenges struggle with procrastination, which can negatively impact their academic performance and self-esteem. Coaching helps them develop strategies to overcome procrastination, stay focused on their tasks, and stay motivated.
• Developing Intrinsic Motivation: By setting and achieving small goals, teens can develop a sense of pride and accomplishment, which fosters intrinsic motivation to keep working toward their bigger goals.

11. Supporting Children with ADHD or Learning Disabilities

• Complementing Other Therapies: For children with ADHD, learning disabilities, or other developmental delays, executive functioning coaching is a valuable addition to traditional therapies, such as occupational therapy or behavioral therapy. It provides targeted support for specific skills that are often affected by these conditions.
• Tailored Interventions: Coaching offers personalized strategies that meet the specific needs of children with ADHD or learning disabilities, helping them organize their schoolwork, manage their time, and maintain focus.

12. Increasing Academic and Career Success

• Academic Achievement: Executive functioning coaching can significantly improve academic performance, as it equips children with the skills necessary to stay organized, manage time effectively, and approach challenges with a problem-solving mindset.
• Workplace Readiness: For older teens, executive functioning coaching helps build skills that are valuable for future careers, such as time management, organizational skills, self-motivation, and the ability to manage multiple responsibilities.

13. Reducing Anxiety and Overwhelm

• Building Confidence: Many children and teens experience anxiety related to their academic performance or ability to meet expectations. By providing structure, support, and coping strategies, executive functioning coaching can help reduce these feelings of anxiety and boost self-confidence.
• Promoting Calmness and Clarity: Learning how to break down tasks, set realistic goals, and manage time effectively helps children feel more in control of their lives, which can reduce overwhelm and stress.

14. Encouraging Consistency and Accountability

• Developing Habits: Coaching helps children establish consistent routines and habits that can support their academic, social, and emotional development. This includes setting up systems for tracking progress and holding themselves accountable.
• Creating Accountability Systems: Executive functioning coaching often includes setting up structures for accountability, such as check-ins with parents or teachers, which helps children stay on track and feel supported.

15. Building Life Skills for Independence

• Preparing for Adulthood: As teens prepare for adulthood, executive functioning coaching helps them develop the practical life skills they will need, such as managing finances, organizing personal responsibilities, and making decisions about their future.
• Self-Sufficiency: Coaching empowers children to manage their own tasks, goals, and challenges, laying the foundation for a more independent, successful adulthood.

Additional Resources:

• The Executive Functioning Coach: Offers individual coaching for children and teens to build executive functioning skills.
• CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder): Provides resources on ADHD and executive functioning.
  • Website: CHADD

Executive functioning coaching can help children and teens with challenges in attention, organization, planning, time management, and emotional regulation. By developing these essential skills, children and teens are better equipped to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally, now and in the future.

At Child and Family Development, we offer Executive Functioning coaching/tutoring in an individualized setting either in person or virtually with one of our educational specialists.