What did your executive functioning coach do?- high school

[Anonymous]

Can you tell me about your experience with an EF coach? I have a 8th grader who is homework resistant and always a disorganized mess. DC also has dyslexia & adhd. Just wondering if it will be one more person who tells him to do something that he never does...

[Anonymous]

We haven’t done EF coach, but did a study skills class at StudyPro in McLean that included a few sessions with their homework center. At the homework center, the staff help kids plan and chunk their work, check in periodically, etc. there are also subject tutors there to help as well. It’s super pricey, but if I could add it and had a homework-resistant kid, I would definitely use it. They also have an online version.

[Anonymous]

My AuDHD high schooler meets virtually with an EF coach twice a week for 30 minutes each time. Together, they look at the portal and Google classroom to see if there are overdue assignments and to see what assignments are coming up. They then make a very specific plan for when which assignments will get done (ie, study for the science quiz on Thursday at 6). At the next session, the coach checks in to make sure she followed the plan. They also work to create strategies to build her independent skills (for example, how can she remember to check Google classroom each afternoon instead of assuming she doesn't have homework?)

It's nothing I couldn't teach her except she's not at all open to learning from me. So I pay to outsource my nagging.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My AuDHD high schooler meets virtually with an EF coach twice a week for 30 minutes each time. Together, they look at the portal and Google classroom to see if there are overdue assignments and to see what assignments are coming up. They then make a very specific plan for when which assignments will get done (ie, study for the science quiz on Thursday at 6). At the next session, the coach checks in to make sure she followed the plan. They also work to create strategies to build her independent skills (for example, how can she remember to check Google classroom each afternoon instead of assuming she doesn't have homework?)

It's nothing I couldn't teach her except she's not at all open to learning from me. So I pay to outsource my nagging.

This is pretty much true for us, as well, although I also think the coach can be more effective because she has experience working with lots of kids with similar issues and more tools in her kit as a result.

[Anonymous]

NP here with a 6th grader with ADHD.

Do ADHD coaches work on other skills besides homework planning? My DS is really struggling with anything composition related because he gets overwhelmed and doesn't know what to do. So it's a little bit of a composition skills issue and a little bit of ADHD and a little bit of anxiety. Just working on skills alone isn't cutting it and I'm wondering if we need to approach it more from the EF side of things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My AuDHD high schooler meets virtually with an EF coach twice a week for 30 minutes each time. Together, they look at the portal and Google classroom to see if there are overdue assignments and to see what assignments are coming up. They then make a very specific plan for when which assignments will get done (ie, study for the science quiz on Thursday at 6). At the next session, the coach checks in to make sure she followed the plan. They also work to create strategies to build her independent skills (for example, how can she remember to check Google classroom each afternoon instead of assuming she doesn't have homework?)

It's nothing I couldn't teach her except she's not at all open to learning from me. So I pay to outsource my nagging.

I would very much appreciate a recommendation to this person if possible and cost. We are looking for someone to help with our child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP here with a 6th grader with ADHD.

Do ADHD coaches work on other skills besides homework planning? My DS is really struggling with anything composition related because he gets overwhelmed and doesn't know what to do. So it's a little bit of a composition skills issue and a little bit of ADHD and a little bit of anxiety. Just working on skills alone isn't cutting it and I'm wondering if we need to approach it more from the EF side of things.

I posted above about our experience with an EF coach. My child also struggles with composition and she has a separate writing tutor. In MS we tried to use someone who claimed they could do both and it didn't work as well.

[Anonymous]

I would also love any recommendations for (or against!) specific coaches!

[Anonymous]

We've been very happy with our EF coach. He helps my DS plan for assignments, has taught my DS how to study, how to organize and prioritize certain assignments. DS listens to our coach more than he does listen to my and DH.

If you email me I can send you our coach's information.

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