Executive Functioning Academy

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Does my child need executive functioning coaching? It depends. It’s a common question. If you think your student might be a candidate for executive functioning coaching, let’s start with a conversation. By discussing your expectations and assessing your child through a Learning Checkup, we can find the best fit for your family. For some families, it may be helpful to consider these common concerns:

    “I’m frustrated and worried. My child…
    …has difficulty completing homework.”
    …misses school deadlines.”
    …feels overwhelmed on a regular basis.”
    …experiences test anxiety.”
    …procrastinates on major papers/projects.”
    …earns lower-than-expected grades.”
    …avoids asking for help.”
    …struggles to articulate her learning.”
    …is losing academic confidence.”
    …does not know where to start.”
    …feels like he is failing.”

    We want to help. Your child may benefit from executive functioning coaching.

  • How is executive functioning coaching different from traditional tutoring? Executive functioning coaching is hotly in demand - and for good reason! The objectives of tutoring and executive functioning coaching are not the same. Executive functioning coaching targets vital skills for students, skills like initiating, prioritizing, organizing, and self-monitoring. Participating in EF coaching helps students think more flexibly and metacognitively. Unlike traditional tutoring, which is often reactive, executive functioning coaching seeks to develop proactive approaches to learning. Here’s a quick summary of some of the key differences between traditional tutoring and executive functioning coaching:

Traditional Tutoring

  • Ideal for a student struggling in a single subject (e.g., History)

  • Ideal for motivated learners after an isolated academic setback (e.g., absence due to illness)

  • Useful when prepping for a standardized test (e.g., SAT tutoring)

  • Helps address immediate schoolwork needs (e.g., upcoming test)

  • May assist with reaching a specific goal in a particular subject during the current school year

 

Executive Functioning Coaching

  • Ideal for a student who is struggling “across the board” in multiple subject areas

  • Ideal for neurotypical students as well as students with learning differences (like ADHD)

  • Useful for students who need “big picture” help with studying/learning efficiency

  • Helps build long-term strategies for more effective thinking and learning

  • Designed to build a foundation for long-term success across disciplines and into future school years

 

  • What will my student gain by becoming a member of the Executive Functioning Academy? We are so glad you asked! Through a tailored approach and an unflagging commitment to continuous improvement, the Executive Functioning Academy embarks on an ambitious plan to revolutionize the way your child approaches learning. Here’s a breakdown to help you know what to expect:

By participating in the Executive Functioning Academy, you will see your child start to “connect the dots” of learning…

  • Stronger study habits

  • Improved time-management skills

  • Advanced ability to read for meaning

  • Enhanced capacity to self-advocate

  • Expanded sense of self-determination

  • More robust tools to cope with academic stress/anxiety*

  • Restored academic confidence


*Note: EF coaches are learning specialists, not psychologists or counselors.

  • Want proof that executive functioning matters?

Executive functioning predicts achievement just as well as IQ: “An important finding is that it was possible to confirm that, in the last decade, executive functions have replaced the intelligence quotient as the most studied variable with respect to academic performance and that both currently have the same predictive capacity.” - Frontiers in Psychology, July 2019

Executive functioning is much more than just being organized: “To be successful takes creativity, flexibility, self-control, and discipline...mentally playing with ideas, giving a considered rather than an impulsive response, and staying focused… cognitive flexibility, inhibition (self-control, self-regulation), and working memory...problem-solving, reasoning, and planning. EFs are more important for school readiness than is IQ. They continue to predict math and reading competence throughout all school years. Clearly, to improve school readiness and academic success, targeting EFs is crucial. EFs remain critical for success throughout life.” - National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2011

Early intervention matters: “The findings indicate that EF scores during early middle grades can well predict academic performance in subsequent secondary-school grades...effects of EF were strong and robust enough to prompt us to recommend its use to guide long-term, academic interventions.” - The Journal of Educational Research, May 2016

It’s okay to seek help for your child: “Executive function and self-regulation skills depend on three types of brain function: working memory, mental flexibility, and self-control... Children aren’t born with these skills—they are born with the potential to develop them. Some children may need more support than others to develop these skills.” - Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child, 2021

Call our office at 404-816-0708 or email us at info@aplusatl.com for more information.