How much can executive functioning coaching help a child or adult?
Is it needed?
Well, get this.
An average child faces challenges of ever-increasing school hours and work. They need to meet life’s demands and develop social skills. The child must also take part in and excel at extracurricular activities. This can be overwhelming, even for adults. Experts in the field have said that anxiety in children is on the rise and it often manifests in teens as depression.
Some children are not able to manage their emotions. They cannot pay attention for long periods. They cannot organize or plan their work or time. This is where you can help with your executive functioning coaching skills.
Make no mistake. These children or adults are intelligent. But they have not learned the tools and strategies for succeeding. Drawing from my experience, through encouragement, developing strategies, and insight, executive functioning coaches help them become more effective. The skills they learn are not only applicable for middle school academic success but also for everyday life.
How Does Executive Functioning Help In Day-To-Day Activities
Can a delay in the development of executive functioning skills impact daily life?
Why don’t you spend some time understanding the challenges of those who are struggling to see what they mean?
Do read A Day in the Life of a Child With Executive Functioning Issues in this context.
Based on our first-hand experience, the end goal of executive functioning coaching is to reduce stress among children. When kids are able to plan and organize their day and work without feeling stressed, they are happy.
Our tests show that executive functioning coaching enables kids to develop in a safe, healthy environment.
What Is Executive Functioning Coaching
To start, let us look at what executive functioning coaching is all about.
First, let us understand what executive functions are to see why you need coaching. According to Harvard University, “executive function refers to a set of skills. Through my practical knowledge, these skills underlie the capacity to do the following activities:
- Plan ahead and meet goals
- Display self-control during the coaching process
- Follow multi-step directions even when interrupted
- Stay focused despite distractions in executive function coaching
This website also has a list of questions and answers on executive functioning.
Which skills can be learnt through executive functioning coaching?
This website lists eight executive functioning skills. The top 3 are in the image below. Check out the whole article for more.
Why is Executive Functioning Coaching Needed?
Is executive function coaching needed?
Yes, teaching kids and adults some basic survival skills is essential. Executive function coaches are up for help!
This website offers some good advice for those offering executive functioning coaching services.
Based on my first-hand experience, executive functioning skills are self-management abilities that help people achieve goals. Our findings show that people must be able to manage their emotions and attention, organize, and plan their work and time. They must reflect on and revise their tactics as circumstances change. This will help them meet the challenges of school, academic performance, work, and life demands and achieve success.
The goal is to help individuals become more effective. Children learn skills that can help them well beyond their current challenges. Speaking from personal experience, the best coaches use real-life examples from school or work to teach skills.
Is Executive Functioning Coaching The Same As Being An ADHD Coach
No, it is not.
For more clarity, why don’t you read my blog, What It Takes to Become a Successful ADHD Coach.
This website, too, answers the question in detail.
In many ways, ADHD and executive functioning issues go hand in hand. That’s because most of the symptoms of ADHD are problems with executive function. You will see that the signs of each are very similar! There’s one big difference between the two.
ADHD is an official diagnosis. Research indicates that executive functioning challenges are not. It is a term that refers to weaknesses in the brain’s self-management system. Also, trouble with executive function is not a problem for kids with ADHD. Our findings show that many kids with learning differences struggle with one or more of these key skills.
A chart shows the similarities and differences between ADHD and executive functioning issues. Check out the webpage.
What Does Executive Functioning Coaching Help With
This website lists what an executive functioning coach does:
- Supports the development and strengthening of executive function skills
- Reviews neuro-psychological reports. Interprets related evaluations from parents, students, and therapists. This helps for a complete understanding of the student’s executive functioning challenges
- Analyzes data, designs online coaching priorities and establishes goals with students
- Identifies a student’s executive function challenges and their underlying academic issues
- Understands students’ mindsets and identifies and prioritizes executive function areas of concentration
- Introduces tools and develops strategies that will “level the playing field” for college students.
- Addresses each executive function challenge they are struggling with one at a time
- Reviews progress and updates coaching priorities based on student progress and mindset
- Coordinates with student’s family and academic support team to ensure consistent support
- Evaluates progress of skill development; adjusts goals as needed
- Anticipates changes and demands in students’ environments. Helps them prepare for upcoming challenges
- Collaborates with and refers to outstanding providers of supplemental services
Who Needs Executive Functioning Coaching
In simple words, who is your target audience? And how can you find them?
What does the profile of your target audience look like? What are they looking for in you?
Target Audience For Executive Functioning Coaching
Most clients looking for executive functioning coaching have these priorities:
- Help children identify their limitations and learn coping mechanisms. Children struggling with executive function skills are not disabled. They need to learn in a different way.
- Teaching children effective time management skills will, in the short term, reduce homework time. In the long term, this will encourage them to be independent individuals
- Helping their children develop planning and prioritizing strategies. These can be for homework, short and long term projects, or an upcoming test. But in the long term, these skills help prepare children for life
Based on our observations, Executive functioning coaching helps these students identify, understand, and work on themselves. Our research indicates that students learn life skills early on to become independent individuals.
Based on our observations, Executive functioning coaching helps these students to identify, understand and work on themselves. Students learn life skills early on to become independent individuals.
Usually, students and adults struggling to manage everyday demands seek help. They could be struggling with ADHD, executive functioning deficits, or other learning issues.
What Skills Can You Teach Through Executive Functioning Coaching
There are a few basic skills that executive functioning coaching can help with.
Clients look for help in understanding:
- Organization: Everything belongs to a particular place and time
- Planning and goal setting: Which task do you need to finish? When do you need to do it?
- Time management: How long will a task take?
- Self regulation: How can you keep yourself on track and adapt to reach your set goals?
- Accountability: Owning the results, whether good or bad. Learning from experiences on ways to improve the coaching process typically
Why Should Clients Hire You For Executive Functioning Coaching
Are you beginning your career by offering executive functioning coaching? Or are you at a crossroads in your career? Have you gained enough knowledge and experience and now want to switch careers? Do you wish to pursue your dream of offering start-up entrepreneur coaching services?
Based on our observations, either way, both categories of coaches ask themselves the following questions.
- How will I get clients for my executive functioning coaching services?
- How can I get noticed for my coaching services in a saturated market?
- How will I advertise my start-up executive functioning coaching services?
- Will I earn enough to have a good life through executive functioning coaching?
Can you relate to these concerns?
These are the concerns of all coaches, irrespective of how successful they are.
Rest assured. You are in the right place. Throughout this blog, I will answer each of the queries above.
What Qualities Will Help You In Executive Functioning Coaching
What traits do your clients look for in an executive functioning coach?
Speaking from personal experience, there is no one talent that makes for great coaches. But most coaches have certain things in common. These traits cannot guarantee success. But they are definitely influential in making you a great coach.
As per my expertise, I have written in detail about some traits that make for good coaches in a few blogs. In a blog titled Top 10 Coaching Skills You Must Have as a Life Coach, I have mentioned the following qualities.
All the qualities are necessary. But some are particularly useful in executive functioning coaching. Here are some questions you can ask yourself. They will help you understand if you have what it takes.
- Can my clients trust me? The most important part of this relationship is building trust and maintaining it. Listen without judgment, with the aim of helping your client.
- Am I objective? Keep your expectations real and achievable. Once you have a good idea of your client’s strengths and challenges, it is best to draw up a list of goals. Based on our observations, you can scale it up as needed. But please set reasonable expectations. Empathy is essential as a core coaching skill. It helps you understand what your client is going through.
- Can you be supportive and firm at the same time? If not, find out why. One thing you must do first as a coach is ask yourself some tough questions. Why have you picked this niche to work on? Do you pity your clients? If so, stop right here. It takes immense courage to seek help. And your clients need your respect, not your pity.
- Work on yourself. Be a willing learner. Pick up whatever training or mindfulness exercises you need.
- Insist on accountability. Your clients need executive function coaching. From my understanding, this is because they cannot take the steps necessary to change their lives alone. As their partner, you will help them analyze, understand, and alter their behavior. For that, they need to change their behavior. Teach them how, but insist on accountability. They will thank you for all their lives.
There are several other qualities that make for a good coach. You should read the blog I mentioned above for more.
I have listed these in my blogs, 21 Coaching Skills Every Successful Coach Needs and Top Qualities Of A Successful Coach.
These qualities mentioned are helpful for all coaches. This includes those offering executive functioning coaching services.
Top Qualifications Required For Executive Functioning Coaching
Is your client looking for specific things differently during executive functioning coaching?
The first is a willingness to help people. Besides that, all good coaches share the traits I have mentioned above.
Based on our observations, clients who look for executive functioning coaching usually expect some prior experience.
How Much Can You Earn Through Executive Functioning Coaching Services
As an executive functioning coach, how much can you expect to earn? Our team discovered that the recruiting website Indeed.com provides some insight. The average salary for an “executive function coach” ranges from approximately $60,069 per year for an executive coach to $144,449 per year for a vice president of human resources.
Our analysis revealed that the truth is that coaching is a growing industry, whether it’s about working memory or self-monitoring schoolwork.
Let us look at some market realities. I have mentioned these statistics in my earlier blog posts as well. But this sets the context for what you can expect to earn as a coach.
This post claims that the life coaching industry has crossed the $1 billion mark.
- The International Coach Federation boasts 53,300 members. It has a steady growth trend.
- The average income for life coaches ranges from $27,100 to $73,100. Specialty coaches can charge more than $100,000 per year.
- Growth projections for the life coaching industry were estimated at 6.7%. This would take revenues to $1.34 billion by 2022.
- 92% of life coaches remain active in the field.
- In Asia, there were around 3,700 coaches. They contributed $113 million in total annual revenue.
- More and more corporations are hiring life coaches instead of mental health counselors to work with employees (no stigma).
- Life coaches remain unregulated. There are no state licensing requirements. This suggests freedom of practice, but also raises concerns about quality.
- Executive coaches can earn a handsome salary too. Salaries start at $150 and can go up to $350 for most coaches. Executive coaches can also charge $1,000 per session.
This news report is from the 2017 ICF Global Consumer Awareness Study. PwC Research also carried out the research. It stated:
- 89% people in India are aware of life coaching
- 59% have partnered with a life coach at some point
- 97% expressed satisfaction with the experience
Our analysis revealed that the result of executive functioning coaching would also have similar positive responses. Although there is no report, it is safe to assume that the results will be promising.
Marketing Your Executive Functioning Coaching Services
Executive functioning coaches have a very specific niche. So tap into this enormous market.
Now, you may be wondering how you will get your brand name noticed. Based on my first-hand experience, the self-awareness market is evolving and growing. But the competition is also getting more challenging. You may want to refer to my blog, How to Promote Your Life Coaching Business, for more on this.
Learn more about how you can build your brand through marketing in my blog, Is Marketing Crucial to Your Coaching Business.
Do You Need Certification For Executive Functioning Coaching
No, you do not need any certification!
Until now, the coaching industry has not been regulated. Everyone can claim to be an executive functioning coach. And there is no way to prove they are not!
What will set you apart is your expertise as a good coach. Speaking from experience as a life coach myself, you need to market yourself and get good client recommendations.
An executive functioning coach transforms students and adults. They help those struggling with learning differences and attention challenges. A coach helps them become confident, self-reliant learners. For this, it is not essential to get a certification.
It is important to get training. As I always say, you should invest in yourself before asking clients to invest in you to boost their self confidence. Skill building is essential for better understanding and making your clients self aware. You may also look at my blog on succeeding without certification.
Resources To Help Your Executive Functioning Coaching Career
A simple Google search will show you several books and podcasts online. As an executive functioning coach, you may want to look up some of these.
Books To Read For Executive Functioning Coaching
Our findings show that an online search will offer this list of books on executive functioning for adults:
- Executive Functions: What They Are, How They Work, and Why They Evolved Hardcover – 1 June 2012 by Russell A. Barkley (Author)
- The CEO of Self: An Executive Functioning Workbook by Jan Johnston-Tyler
- ADD and Your Money: A Guide to Personal Finance for Adults With Attention Deficit Disorder Paperback – by Stephanie Moulton Sarkis (Author), Karl Klein (Author)
- The Smart but Scattered Guide to Success: How to Use Your Brain’s Executive Skills to Keep Up, Stay Calm, and Get Organized at Work and at Home by Peg Dawson (Author), Richard Guare (Author)
- Executive Function Difficulties in Adults: 100 Ways to Help Your Clients Live Productive and Happy Lives Paperback – Stephanie Moulton Sarkis
- Your Kid’s Gonna Be Okay: Building the Executive Function Skills Your Child Needs in the Age of Attention Paperback – by Michael Delman (Author)
Some books related to executive functioning coaching that you may want to look up are:
- Coaching Students with Executive Skills Deficits by Peg Dawson and Richard Guare
- Executive Function in the Classroom: Practical Strategies for Improving Performance and Enhancing Skills for All Students by Christopher Kaufman
- Coaching College Students with Executive Function Problems by Mary R. T. Kennedy
- Promoting Executive Function in the Classroom by Lynn Meltzer
- Attention Difference Disorder: How to Turn Your ADHD Child Or Teen’s Differences Into Strengths in 7 Simple Steps by Kenny Handelman
- Executive Functions: What They Are, How They Work, and Why They Evolved by Russell Barkley
- ADHD, Executive Function & Behavioral Challenges in the Classroom: Managing the Impact on Learning, Motivation and Stress Paperback by Cindy Goldrich and Carly Goldrich
- Executive Skills Coaching: With Adults Affected by Conditions of Poverty and Stress by Colin Guare, Richard Guare, Peg Dawson
- The Big Thing: How to Complete Your Creative Project Even If You’re a Lazy, Self-Doubting Procrastinator Like Me by Phyllis Korkki
- Study Power: Study Skills to Improve Your Learning and Your Grades by William R. Luckie and Wood Smethurst
Podcasts To Listen To For Executive Functioning Coaching
There are several YouTube videos and podcasts on executive functioning coaching online. There are also some helpful link here. This article talks about accommodations in school. These can also help you during your executive functioning coaching sessions.
You will find a list of podcasts for executive functioning coaching here. Some are here. A popular podcast series for executive functioning coaching is also linked here.
Conclusion
In conclusion, executive functioning coaching is a valuable resource that supports individuals in developing and enhancing their executive function skills. Through personalized guidance and strategies, coaching helps individuals improve their abilities in areas such as organization, time management, goal setting, planning, and self-regulation. It provides individuals with the tools and techniques necessary to overcome challenges, maximize productivity, and achieve their goals.
Executive functioning coaching is particularly beneficial for individuals who may struggle with attention deficits, learning differences, or executive function impairments. By strengthening executive function skills, coaching empowers individuals to thrive academically, professionally, and personally, leading to greater success and overall well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Is Executive Functioning Coaching?
Executive functioning coaching is a system to help kids learn how to manage their time, prioritize, set and achieve goals, plan and organize, switch from one task to another, and maintain a high level of performance. They also get to streamline their home life and make it easier to manage the various responsibilities and tasks that come with being a kid.
What Are The 7 Executive Functions?
The executive functions of the brain are considered to be higher-order cognitive processes that involve the manipulation of information to act in a goal-oriented manner. Basically, an executive function is the ability to organize and manage oneself and one’s behavior.
What Are The Three Levels Of Executive Functioning?
These three levels of executive functioning are:
1) mental flexibility
2) goal directedness and
3) verbal self-regulation.
Mental flexibility includes the ability to switch between multiple tasks and to react appropriately when you encounter a new or unexpected situation. Goal directedness means you have the desire and self-control to reach specific goals. This is the opposite of being a procrastinator.
Finally, verbal self-regulation means your child can control his or her actions and speech. Your child doesn’t embarrass you in public, and he or she can play well with others.
Why Is Executive Functioning Coaching Needed?
Executive functioning refers to a complex network of brain areas and functions that work together to allow people to shift attention, plan and prioritize tasks, remember information, and solve problems.
People with ADHD, who are often highly intelligent, have deficits in executive functioning that make it hard for them to succeed in school, get a job, and maintain relationships. Executive functioning deficits can also lead to poor self-esteem and depression.
How To Become An Executive Functioning Coach?
If you are looking to become an executive functioning coach, you first need to understand what executive functioning is. Executive functioning is basically the ability to organize, plan, and complete tasks. It’s a term used to describe cognitive function that can come in the form of attention, focus, controlling impulses, self-monitoring, and how a person self-regulates.
A good executive functioning coach is someone who is respected, has lots of knowledge and experience in the field, and is able to give their clients high quality insight and feedback. The more knowledge you gain in the field of executive functioning, the more respected a coach you will become and the more opportunities you will have.
So, in order to become an executive functioning coach, you need to spend a lot of time learning about the subject, building a strong reputation, and trying to help as many people as you can. Once you have built up a good amount of knowledge and experience, you will begin to be recognized as an expert in the field.
How Much Can You Earn Through Executive Functioning Coaching Services?
Executive functioning coaching services are a new industry; therefore, there are no clear guidelines on how much one can earn through this. While some executive
ABOUT SAI BLACKBYRN
I’m Sai Blackbyrn, better known as “The Coach’s Mentor.” I help Coaches like you establish their business online. My system is simple: close more clients at higher fees. You can take advantage of technology, and use it as a catalyst to grow your coaching business in a matter of weeks; not months, not years. It’s easier than you think.
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