Executive function coaching helps parents better understand executive function skills, recognize how executive functioning impacts their child’s behavior and success, and develop strategies to provide effective support while also encouraging independence.

Many parents seek coaching because they are trying to balance being supportive while also reducing conflict, frustration, reminders, and stress at home.

Parent coaching focuses on helping parents:

• Understand executive function development

• Recognize their child’s strengths and challenges

• Identify what support is helpful 

• Improve communication around responsibilities

• Create realistic expectations

• Collaborate with their child to develop systems and routines that support independence

• Navigate school demands, organization, planning, and follow-through challenges

The goal of parent coaching is not to “fix” a child or remove all challenges. The goal is to help parents understand executive function development and create an environment where their child can build skills, confidence, and independence.

Parent coaching is collaborative, practical, and individualized.

After completing the Foundations Program, sessions typically include:

1. Check-in

We discuss:

• Recent successes

• Current challenges

• Changes in school, home, or family routines

• Progress toward goals

2. Assess and Plan

We explore:

• Current family systems and routines

• Communication patterns

• Areas where the child needs support

• Areas where the child can take more ownership

• Upcoming academic or life demands

Together, we determine priorities and create a realistic plan.

3. Strategize and Practice

Parent coaching may include:

• Learning about executive function skills

• Understanding the “why” behind behaviors

• Developing communication strategies

• Creating routines and systems

• Supporting planning and organization

• Problem-solving around homework, responsibilities, and independence

• Identifying appropriate supports and resources

4. Reflect and Adjust

We reflect on:

• What worked?

• What did not work?

• How did the child respond?

• What adjustments will improve success?

Strategies are adjusted as the child’s needs and family circumstances change.

The first part of coaching focuses on understanding:

• The parent’s concerns

• The child’s strengths and challenges

• Family routines and expectations

• School demands

• Current supports and strategies

• Parent goals

Together, we identify priorities.

Parent coaching balances:

Immediate needs

Examples:

• A challenging homework routine

• Upcoming school transitions

• Communication struggles

• Organization challenges

with:

Long-term goals

Examples:

• Building independence

• Improving responsibility

• Reducing family conflict

• Supporting self-advocacy

• Helping the child develop lifelong skills

All new parent coaching clients begin with the Foundations Program.

Parent Coaching Foundations Program

The Foundations Program includes approximately 5 coaching hours plus preparation, assessment, planning, and administrative setup.

The Foundations Program includes:

• Parent intake questionnaire and interview

• Understanding family concerns, goals, and priorities

• Executive function education

• Understanding executive function development

• Overview of common executive function challenges

• Identifying child strengths and areas of difficulty

• Parent education related to supporting executive functioning

• SMART goal development

• Creating a system for tracking progress

• Identifying initial strategies and routines

Depending on the family’s needs, Foundations may also include:

• Review of school information or evaluations provided by the family

• Discussion of accommodations, supports, or resources

• Understanding current school systems

• Developing communication and support strategies

If reviewing extensive records, evaluations, or documents requires significant additional preparation time, additional services may be recommended separately.

Parent coaching may address topics such as:

Executive Function Understanding

• What executive functions are

• How executive functions develop

• Why capable students may struggle with planning, organization, or follow-through

Supporting Independence

• Knowing when to help and when to step back

• Creating opportunities for skill development

• Shifting responsibility appropriately as children mature

Communication

• Reducing power struggles

• Improving conversations about school responsibilities

• Supporting problem-solving rather than relying on reminders or consequences

Organization and Planning

• Homework systems

• Calendar systems

• Routines

• Task management

• School organization

School Support

• Understanding evaluations and recommendations

• Collaborating with school supports

• Identifying appropriate resources

Therapy
Therapy focuses on emotional health, mental health concerns, relationships, and psychological treatment.

Tutoring
Tutoring focuses on improving understanding of specific academic content.

Parent Executive Function Coaching
Parent coaching focuses on helping parents understand executive functioning and develop strategies to support their child’s growth, independence, and success.

Parent coaching does not replace therapy, educational testing, school services, or tutoring.

Parent coaching progress is measured by looking at both your progress toward your parenting goals and the changes you are seeing in your interactions with and support of your student.

Examples may include:

• Increased understanding of executive function challenges

• More effective communication

• Reduced conflict around responsibilities

• Improved routines and systems

• More appropriate expectations

• Increased child independence

• More confidence supporting the child’s development

Progress is reviewed regularly and strategies are adjusted as needed.

Each month, we review what strategies you have tried, what has worked, what has been difficult, and what situations continue to create challenges. We also identify your priorities for the coming month and adjust our approach based on your child’s current needs and circumstances.

At regular intervals, we take a deeper look at progress over time. This includes identifying changes in your understanding of your child’s executive functioning needs, communication patterns, the ways you respond to challenges, and your ability to support your child’s growing independence.

Progress may not always look like fewer problems. Sometimes progress means responding differently when problems arise, having more productive conversations, reducing conflict, knowing when to step in and when to step back, or helping your child develop greater ownership of their responsibilities.

The ultimate goal is to help you become a more effective support for your child while gradually shifting responsibility to them as their skills and independence grow.

Many parents benefit from several months of coaching because changing family patterns and supporting skill development takes time.

Some parents work together during a specific transition, while others continue longer for ongoing support as their child moves through different developmental stages.