Frequently Asked Questions
Understanding Executive Function Skills and Neurodiversity
What Are Executive Function Skills?
What are signs of weak executive function skills?
Common signs of weak executive function include:
- Chronic procrastination or difficulty starting tasks
- Trouble managing time, estimating how long things will take, or meeting deadlines
- Disorganization, like losing materials or forgetting assignments
- Difficulty following multi-step directions or breaking down big tasks
- Emotional outbursts or shutting down when overwhelmed
- Inconsistent performance, even when the student is clearly capable
- Avoidance of tasks that require sustained effort or focus
- Struggles with transitions, especially when routines change
Coaching helps students build tools and systems that work for their brain - so they can feel more confident, capable, and in control.
What are the strengths of neurodivergence in academics?
Neurodivergent students often bring incredible strengths to academic environments - though these strengths may not always show up in traditional ways.
When supported and understood, their unique ways of thinking can lead to innovation, insight, and resilience.
Common academic strengths of neurodivergent learners include:
- Creative problem-solving and the ability to think outside the box
- Deep focus or hyperfocus on topics of interest
- Strong pattern recognition and attention to detail
- Original perspectives that challenge conventional thinking
- Persistence and adaptability, especially when navigating systems not built for them
- Authenticity and integrity, often paired with a strong sense of justice or fairness
The goal isn’t to “fix” neurodivergence - it’s to honor it, support it, and help it shine.
Can You Cure ADHD?
That said, students with ADHD can absolutely thrive. With the right support - like coaching, therapy, medication, or a combination - many learn to manage challenges, build on their strengths, and lead successful, fulfilling lives.
Are ADD and ADHD different?
- Inattentive (formerly called ADD)
- Hyperactive-Impulsive
- Combined
Does medication fix ADHD?
What if I don’t want to take medication for my ADHD?
- Build systems and routines that work for your brain
- Learn strategies to manage focus, motivation, and overwhelm
- Use coaching, therapy, or campus resources to stay on track
If I change my diet, will my ADHD go away?
That said, nutrition can play a supportive role. Some students find that eating more protein, reducing sugar, or adding omega-3s helps with focus and mood. Others may notice no change at all. There’s no one-size-fits-all ADHD diet, and research is still evolving.
We always encourage students to explore healthy habits - like balanced meals, sleep, and movement - because they support overall health and emotional regulation. But managing ADHD usually requires a multi-layered approach, which may include coaching, therapy, medication, or all three.
Our goal isn’t to “fix” ADHD - it’s to help students understand their brains, build strategies that work for them, and thrive as they are.
Do you work with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?
Our coaching is a great fit for students who:
- Are able to engage in reflective conversations
- Want support with organization, motivation, or independence
- May also experience ADHD, anxiety, or other co-occurring challenges
If you’re not sure whether coaching is the right fit, we’re happy to talk it through and help you explore options.
Do you work with students with ADHD or other neurodivergent profiles?
What does “neuroinclusivity” mean in your program?
Can coaching help with emotional regulation or motivation?
Do you help students with anxiety?
Here’s how we help:
- We create structure and predictability, which reduces anxiety around the unknown
- We break big tasks into small steps, so students feel less paralyzed and more in control
- We teach emotional regulation strategies like reframing, self-talk, and planning for hard days
- We normalize the experience -because anxiety is common, and students shouldn’t feel ashamed of it
The bottom line? We meet students where they are, and we help them move forward with clarity, confidence, and compassion.
What kind of skills do you teach beyond academics?
Here are some of the life skills we help students build:
- Time management and planning, so they can balance responsibilities and reduce overwhelm
- Emotional regulation and stress management, especially during high-pressure situations
- Communication and self-advocacy, including how to ask for help, set boundaries, and express needs clearly
- Decision-making and problem-solving, so they can think critically and respond flexibly to challenges
- Follow-through and accountability, which supports everything from chores to job applications
- Confidence and self-awareness, helping students understand their strengths and how to use them
Coaching helps students build systems that work for their brain - so they can show up in life with more clarity, confidence, and control.
Deciding If Coaching Is the Right Fit
Is ADHD/Executive Function Coaching Worth the Investment?
- In high school, it opens doors to scholarships, college choices, and career exploration
- In college, it supports independence, confidence, and academic success
- In life, it empowers students to manage stress, set goals, and make informed decisions
How do I help my child with executive function?
Encouraging independence, offering gentle reminders, and celebrating small wins can also go a long way. If your child is neurodivergent or struggles with ADHD, coaching can provide personalized strategies that match how they think and learn best.
Our program is designed to walk alongside families- offering practical tools, compassionate support, and a belief in every student’s potential.
How do I know if my child needs coaching or something else?
What kinds of students benefit from executive function coaching?
How do I know if my student is ready for coaching?
They don’t need to be excited (yet!), but a willingness to show up and engage is key. We often see students start out unsure and grow more confident once they realize coaching is about partnership - not pressure.
Still not sure? We’re happy to talk with you and your student to help figure out if now is the right time. Coaching works best when students feel seen, heard, and ready to take small steps forward.
Will coaching help my child with procrastination and time management?
Here’s how coaching helps:
- Breaks big tasks into manageable steps, so students feel less paralyzed and more in control
- Teaches time awareness and planning strategies, like using calendars, timers, and visual schedules
- Builds routines and accountability systems that match the student’s brain, not just the school’s expectations
- Reframes procrastination as a signal - not a flaw - so students can respond with tools instead of shame
Can coaching help students who are highly intelligent but struggling?
Here’s how coaching helps:
- Identifies hidden barriers like perfectionism, burnout, or under-stimulation that can block progress
- Builds systems for time management, planning, and follow-through, so students can turn potential into performance
- Supports emotional regulation and motivation, especially when students feel stuck or misunderstood
- Reframes the narrative - so students stop seeing themselves as “lazy” or “failing” and start recognizing their strengths
Do you help with social communication or peer relationships?
Here’s how coaching can help:
- Builds self-awareness around social patterns, triggers, and strengths
- Supports emotional regulation, so students can stay grounded in social situations
- Helps with planning and follow-through for social interactions -like remembering to text back, show up on time, or initiate plans
- Coaches self-advocacy and communication strategies, including how to navigate group work, roommate dynamics, or awkward conversations
- Normalizes social challenges, so students feel less alone and more empowered to grow
What if my student isn’t ready for coaching yet?
We’re also happy to talk directly with your student to explain what coaching is (and isn’t), answer their questions, and ease any concerns. Sometimes just hearing from a coach can make a big difference.
And if you decide to just give it a try, there’s no long-term commitment - our program is billed month-to-month, so you can explore coaching without the pressure of a contract. If it’s not the right time, we’ll be here when it is.
My Student Said They Do Not Want Coaching, Should I Force Them?
We’re always happy to talk with your student directly to explain what coaching is (and isn’t), answer their questions, and ease any concerns. But if they’re still not ready, it’s okay to wait. Forcing coaching rarely leads to meaningful progress - readiness and willingness are key ingredients for success.
Do You Work With Students Who Are Failing Classes or on Academic Probation?
Our coaches are trained and experienced in academic recovery. We can step in quickly to assess the situation, communicate with teachers or professors, and create a personalized plan to get students back on track.
Even when things feel hopeless, there’s a path forward - and we’re here to help students find it with structure, support, and a fresh start.
What Happens if I am Not Reaching My Goals in Coaching?
Our coaches are flexible and responsive—ready to shift strategies, pacing, or focus areas to support meaningful growth. And if something still doesn’t feel right, families can always reach out to our Program Director or Student Success Team for additional support.
Sometimes, a different coach may be a better fit - and that’s okay. Our priority is your student’s success, and we’ll do everything we can to help them get there.
Do I have to be diagnosed with ADHD or be neurodivergent to benefit from coaching?
We’re less concerned with why a student is struggling and more focused on how we can help. If your student is feeling overwhelmed, disorganized, or stuck, coaching can offer personalized strategies and compassionate support - no diagnosis required.
Will My Student Just Become Dependent on Their Coach Telling Them What to Do?
Each session ends with a student-led action plan, created in collaboration with their coach. Over time, students build the confidence, clarity, and executive function skills to manage their daily lives independently.
We believe your student is the expert in their own life - our job is to help them realize it.
What’s the difference between life coaching and academic coaching for students?
Here’s how they differ:
ACADEMIC | LIFE | |
Helps students manage schoolwork, deadlines, and academic stress | Individuals Explore values, purpose, and personal fulfillment | |
Often includes accountability systems, study strategies, and executive function tools | Often includes goal-setting, mindset work, and self-discovery exercises | |
Tailored to students navigating school, college, or academic transitions | Tailored to anyone navigating life changes or seeking personal growth |
How can we fit coaching into my student’s busy schedule?
Here’s how we make it work:
- Short, focused sessions that fit easily into a packed week - no long lectures or extra homework
- Flexible scheduling, including after-school, evening, and weekend options
- Virtual coaching, so there’s no commute or extra logistics to manage
- Built-in time management support - coaching actually helps students create more time by teaching them how to plan, prioritize, and follow through
- Progress that compounds - as students build executive function skills, they often feel less overwhelmed and more in control of their schedule
Can coaching help my student prepare for the SAT, ACT, or other major exams?
Here’s how coaching supports test readiness:
- Builds time management and study planning systems, so students can prep consistently without last-minute cramming
- Supports emotional regulation and test anxiety strategies, helping students stay calm and focused under pressure
- Teaches follow-through and accountability, so students stick to their prep plans and meet their goals
- Helps students break down big goals into manageable steps, making test prep feel less overwhelming
- Supports executive function skills that are essential for test day - like sustained attention, flexible thinking, and working memory
Do you help with college applications and essays?
Here’s how coaching can help:
- Breaks down the application process into manageable steps with timelines and accountability
- Supports essay planning and time management, so students don’t leave writing until the last minute
- Helps students reflect on their strengths and stories, which can lead to more authentic, compelling essays
- Builds follow-through and emotional regulation, so students can navigate feedback, revisions, and uncertainty
- Supports other major exams and applications, including APs, state boards, the LSAT, and more
Coaching Program Details
How Long Does Coaching Last?
Progress depends on many factors - your student’s unique challenges, emotional readiness, consistency, and belief in the process. That said, most students experience a critical shift within the first 90 days, including more completed tasks, fewer arguments, and growing confidence.
How long does it take to see progress with executive function coaching?
These results come from blind, self-reported feedback directly from students, and they reflect the heart of our approach: personalized, strengths-based coaching that meets each learner where they are.
How Are Coaches Assigned?
Then comes the best part: your student gets to choose their coach. We send them student friendly, coach bios so they can pick the person they feel most comfortable working with. It’s a blend of expert guidance and student autonomy - because we believe coaching works best when students feel seen, supported, and in control of their journey.
Can I Switch Coaches if I Am Not Happy?
That said, it rarely happens - because students choose their own coach, but if a change is needed, we ensure a smooth transition: the new coach receives all relevant background so your student can pick up right where they left off, without starting over.
Do you offer a progress guarantee for coaching?
We believe in the power of coaching, but we also know real change takes time. That’s why students must participate for at least three months to be eligible for the guarantee. It’s not magic - it’s partnership, structure, and support that works.
How Long Are Sessions?
We’ve designed our sessions to be manageable, engaging, and effective - so students leave feeling accomplished, not overwhelmed.
Do You Require a Minimum Time Commitment for Coaching?
That said, we recommend 6 to 12 months of coaching for the best results. Early sessions focus on building foundational executive function skills, while later months help students strengthen habits, apply strategies independently, and sustain progress.
Leaving coaching too early can sometimes lead to old habits creeping back in - we’re here to support lasting change, not just quick fixes.
Is Your Program Offered Virtually? Can I Work From Anywhere?
It actually works great for busy schedules and for clients who do not transition well to leave the house. No more having to argue about getting shoes on and out the door or running late.
My student has struggled with virtual school - will virtual coaching still work?
Our sessions are intentionally designed with ADHD and focus fatigue in mind. Instead of long hours on a screen, we keep coaching short, focused, and manageable - typically 20–30 minutes. This format helps students stay engaged, build trust, and make meaningful progress without burnout.
Unlike virtual school, coaching is interactive, student-led, and tailored to each learner’s needs. We meet students where they are and help them move forward with confidence.
How do you measure success in coaching?
Here’s how we track progress:
- Executive Function Skills Tracker: Our internal tool helps monitor growth in areas like time management, organization, emotional regulation, and follow-through
- Blind Student Reflections: Students regularly reflect on their own progress - we do this anonymously and students know their coach does not see their answers, so we can track authentic shifts in mindset, confidence, and self-awareness over time
- Academic and Life Milestones: We look at real-world indicators like completing assignments on time, using a planner consistently, or following through on personal goals
- Small Wins and Big Breakthroughs: Whether it’s turning in a paper early or advocating for themselves with a teacher, we celebrate progress in all its forms
What qualifications do your coaches have?
Here’s what sets them apart:
- Master’s degrees in fields like education, psychology, counseling, or related disciplines
- Specialized training in executive function coaching, with a focus on practical tools and brain-based strategies
- Deep understanding of neurodiversity, including ADHD, Autism Spectrum, and other learning differences
- Additional expertise in learning disabilities such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, and processing challenges
- Ongoing professional development, including regular training in coaching techniques, neuroinclusive practices, and student support
- Life experience that informs their work - many of our coaches are neurodivergent themselves, or have personal experience parenting or supporting neurodivergent individuals in their own lives
Do you offer sibling discounts?
Here’s how it works:
- The discount applies to the second (or each additional) student enrolled from the same household
- It’s available for our comprehensive programs - please reach out if you’re unsure whether your student’s plan qualifies
- No need to enroll siblings in the same program - we’ll help tailor support to each student’s needs
- Each student still gets to choose their own coach!
Coaching vs. Other Supports
How Is Coaching Different from Therapy?
Coaching, on the other hand, is present and future-focused. It’s about building skills, setting goals, and creating actionable strategies to improve performance, organization, and confidence. Each session includes a working action plan tailored to the student’s needs.
How is Coaching Different from Tutoring?
My student’s university offers Academic Support Services - is this the same as your coaching?
Do you offer tutoring for high school and college students?
Academic, College, and Life Readiness
How can I help my teen get ready for college?
Here are a few ways you can support them:
- Encourage independence by letting them manage their own schedule, appointments, and responsibilities
- Talk through real-life scenarios like emailing professors, managing deadlines, or asking for help
- Explore college resources together, like disability services, tutoring centers, and mental health support
- Normalize mistakes and setbacks as part of the learning process—not signs of failure
- Build time management and planning systems that actually work for their brain
- Practice self-advocacy and emotional regulation in a safe, supportive space
- Develop the executive function skills they’ll need to navigate college life with confidence
What do I do if I’m failing my classes?
- Talk to your professor - ask about missing work, extra credit, or how to improve your grade
- Visit campus resources like the tutoring center, writing lab, or academic advising
- Check your syllabus to understand grading policies and upcoming deadlines
- Create a simple plan to prioritize assignments and study time
- Identify what’s getting in the way (executive function, burnout, motivation)
- Build a realistic action plan and stick to it
- Reframe the narrative from “I’m failing” to “I’m learning how to recover”
- Work with your college or university to maximize your success
Can I go to college if I have ADHD or Autism Spectrum?
- Register with the college’s disability services office to access accommodations
- Use campus resources like tutoring centers, writing labs, and mental health services
- Build routines and systems that support time management, organization, and self-advocacy
Does your Program Only Focus On Academic Goals?
Do you work with adults who aren’t in school?
Raz Coaching Services - Our Career Coaching Program for adults navigating transitions, burnout, or professional growth.
How can I help my teen get ready for a job or career?
Here are a few ways you can support them:
- Encourage responsibility by having them manage their own schedule, transportation, or part-time job
- Talk through workplace expectations, like communication, punctuality, and problem-solving
- Explore career paths together, including internships, job shadowing, or volunteering
- Normalize uncertainty - it’s okay not to have it all figured out
- Build time management, planning, and follow-through skills that are essential in any job
- Practice professional communication and self-advocacy
- Explore career paths that align with their strengths, interests, and values, so they’re not just chasing a job - they’re building a future that fits
- Develop the executive function tools to stay organized, motivated, and emotionally regulated in the workplace
Enrollment & Getting Started
Can I Enroll at Anytime?
Do I Need a Consultation to Enroll?
What is Included in the Program Fee?
- Weekly 1:1 coaching sessions (20–30 minutes each) tailored to your student’s goals
- Ongoing messaging access to your coach for questions, check-ins, and support between sessions
- A monthly Student Snapshot to keep families updated on progress
- A quarterly Executive Function Skills Tracker with measurable growth data
- Access to a school-approved AI study and note-taking app (included in academic programs)
- Personalized action plans that evolve with your student’s needs
- Optional Focus & Study Groups available at a discounted add-on rate
Do You Accept Insurance?
Are you approved for the California Self-Determination Program (SDP)?
If you're enrolled in SDP through your regional center, you can use your individual budget to work with us. Just reach out and we’ll provide the correct billing codes and documentation to share with your Independent Facilitator or Financial Management Services (FMS) provider.
Not sure how to get started with SDP? We’re happy to help guide you through the process or connect you with helpful resources.
Do you participate in state ESA (Education Savings Account) programs?
- Arizona Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) Program
- Florida Step Up for Students, FES-UA After School Program
- West Virginia Hope Scholarship Program
We’re also actively pursuing approval in additional states. If your state offers an ESA or similar education savings program and you’d like us to become a vendor, please reach out - we’d love to explore it with you.
How Do I Pay My Monthly Coaching Fee?
Are There Extra Fees Not Listed on the Program Page?
We include access to a school-approved AI study and note-taking app as part of our academic coaching programs - at no extra cost. We also offer optional Focus & Study Groups for students in any program, available at a discounted add-on rate.
Our goal is to keep things simple, supportive, and stress-free.
How Do I Cancel?
We believe in making support easy to start and easy to stop.
What Happens Over Summer Break?
We also offer a variety of summer options, including:
- Life and academic coaching to maintain structure and build new habits
- College Prep for rising high school seniors
- Middle School Launch to help younger students transition with confidence
What Age Group Do You Work With?
Our coaching is especially helpful for college students navigating academic demands, social life, and independent living - whether they’re just starting freshman year or preparing for medical boards. We also support adult learners returning to school, pursuing certifications, or juggling multiple responsibilities.
If you’re working toward a goal and need structure, strategy, or support - we’re here for it.
Do You Work With Elementary School?
For students ages 8 to 11, we offer our specialized Sprout Program, led by coaches who are specially trained to work with this age group and their parents. If you’re interested in support for an elementary age student, reach out, we’d love to explore whether Sprout is the right fit for your family.
Is There Support and Communication with Parents?
Each month, you’ll receive a Student Snapshot - a quick update on your student’s progress and focus areas. Every three months, we also share our proprietary Executive Function Skills Tracker, which provides clear, data-informed insights into your student’s growth.
We’re here to support your student - and you - every step of the way.
What if we miss a session or need to reschedule?

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