Executive Function Skills Coaching
Being differently wired makes for an interesting life experience.
Getting stuck in rabbit holes of thought or research stops you from finishing tasks that could be finished in a few minutes? Needing clarification for assignments or tasks? It just doesn’t make sense unless it’s explained a certain way. Lectures in class or directions at work are frustrating because they speak to certain people, but not you. It’s a foreign language. You zone out, hyperfocus on things you really enjoy, and other things are ignored. The pile of dishes or that laundry pile keeps getting bigger and bigger. (We all have that pile) You’re seen as super scattered, rigid, or both.
“Just one more game or episode, I can sleep after.”
People keep telling you to “just use a calendar” to sort your schedule, and yet with countless alarms and reminders, it still doesn’t seem to work. The little things seem to add up, and it creates a feeling of internal chaos and stress where meltdowns could happen. Whether a child, teen, or adult, this happens over and over. It can lead to a sense of shame with how you naturally lean and feeling like an imposter who crashes when trying to fit in a world that doesn’t work for you. It can feel scary trying something new or different because of this constant experience of being told something is wrong with you.
For loved ones and others, it can create tension in relationships, sensitive topics that can lead to arguments and strong feelings.
Constantly reminding someone to do something can become burdensome. Sometimes it gets to the point where it’s easier to do things for scattered people than to wait for them to finally do it. Items are lost, appointments, assignments, and tasks are forgotten or overlooked, and it feels disrespectful when it happens. This difficulty with task completion and organization can lead to fears for the future and wanting your loved one to do well in life. We want them to learn life skills that can help them grow into their potentials so they can have successful and joyful lives.
What are Executive Function Skills?
Executive Function Skills are cognitive skills that help with task completion.
Those of us who are differently wired need to be spoken to in our own language, and shown through creative practice and care how to manage tasks that others (neurotypical) may accomplish more easily. There are many books and names to reference on EF skills, and they range from 8-20+ identifiable skills. Some EF skills include:
Task initiation
Organization
Metacognition
Sustained attention
Stress tolerance
Time management
Flexibility
Planning
Why do EF Skills need coaching?
Our brains have different strengths and default responses to stimulation and learning. Schools and many environments cater to specific (neurotypical) learning styles, so additional time, practice, and care are needed to learn new EF skills.
Building new neural pathways—Just like athletes train to build new muscle memory, EF skills need coaching to build new neural pathways to grow. Practice paired with strong relationships is essential!
Need to be shown or explained why. Many creative thinkers need to know the WHY of tasks, so having things broken down (which many educators don’t have time for all learning styles and needs) will help connect the dots for moving from direction to execution.
Parents and caregivers need someone to help translate or say the same thing. That’s how kids and teens work sometimes.
Being told how to do something doesn’t create change when motivation isn’t there. Coaching helps build internal motivation based on individual strengths and feeling understood.
What is part of EF Skills coaching?
Archetypes - Your personality is identified to help you better understand your unique cognition, values, and strengths (I use fandoms, watch video gameplay, or personality typology to learn about your archetypes).
Fluid and organic—Establishing a strong relationship is the foundation for change. We will touch different EF skills as they come up and slowly add to your toolbelt.
Practice in safe opportunities, like games and “experiments”—when you are told something is wrong or different about you, you may hesitate to try new things or are afraid of failure. Practicing online can help rebuild a sense of confidence to try in other parts of life.
Practice communicating interpretations of information, needs, and expectations. Relationships involve communication, and we don’t always know how to shape our language to clearly express ourselves. Practice helps!
Exploring sensory needs and overwhelms. Differently wired people have different sensory needs. It’s important to acknowledge what drains and fuels us, and develop ways to manage energy shifts across the lifespan.
Learning how you learn—This is especially important for college students and young adults venturing into the workforce. Once you know your learning preferences, you can advocate your needs as well as communicate more effectively with others.
When possible, parent consults & check-ins—Having strong family participation is essential to growth and change!
Organizing spaces at home for focus AND play— our environments are important, and creating optimal spaces for focus and play can help us identify when we can let loose and when to be more diligent.
Completing tasks together. Many times neurodivergent thinkers need someone to do tasks with them. It helps increase chances of success and feeling more confident in additional tasks.
What are some outcomes of EF Skills coaching?
Increased self-awareness & acceptance
Problem solving & resiliency to try again
Improved communication skills and relationships
Confidence to self advocate or find resources for support
Improved time management and organization skills
Sessions are virtual. In the near future for some clients, I will come to your home or office and help organize your space. We will see what sparks joy, and how to better manage your unique energy and cognitive profile.
Boonie Sripom, Executive Function Skills Coaching in California
About Boonie:
My background includes preschool teaching, special education as a paraeducator, outreach counseling in an elementary school setting, college counseling for art students issuing ADA accommodations, and academic coaching. I am a former GATE student who took GATE certification courses (I did not complete the series) where I gathered information about different learning and teaching styles. I also use my Clinical Psychology background to support the psycho-social and emotional needs of those I work with. It’s an honor to help how I can and learn about your wonderful gifts and quirks.
