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Executive Functioning Coaching

ACPC Psychologists help students who struggle with Executive Function (EF) and may have a diagnosis of ADHD, ASD, Learning difficulties, processing issues or no diagnosis.

These students generally experience difficulties in accessing some parts of the schooling curriculum particularly with tasks that require them to plan and organise information, work within specific time frames, making decisions, problem solving and thinking things through.  This may lead to some difficulty in completing tasks, inattention, inability to stay on tasks; lacking motivation in completing their work, and other reported behaviours (e.g. experiencing organisational and concentration problems, inability to do parts of their work, inability to persist in tasks they do not understand, anxiety due to the overload).

Unfortunately, EF problems do impact these students as they often internalise their feelings and may describe themselves as 'dumb' or not 'smart enough' or 'lazy' or feel like they are a total 'failure' or pretend that they 'don't care' about school. Their EF problems can therefore prevent these students from reaching their goals, hinders their confidence not only in their learning potential but in their future pathways.

ACPC clinicians aim to guide these students through sessions by providing individualised tools that could help them manage their difficulties, whilst also offering support and education to their families and educators. 

For further information about Execution Functioning, please see link here

  • How do I know if my child struggles with Executive Functioning?

    Students who struggle with Executive Function are those who struggle with school (homework, trouble staying on-task, disorganised, problems with time management, avoidant, resistant, forgetful, overwhelmed, etc.).

    The following is a list of characteristics that these students may have:

    • Learning discrepancies: their performance does not reflect their ability or so called “potential.”
    • Homework problems: missing work, late work, incomplete assignments, forget to turn in work, loses homework, forget what the homework is, often poor quality and rushed.
    • Planning problems: difficulties using their diary effectively to record or schoolwork or other expectations.
    • Preparation problems: unprepared or take a long time to get started with tasks
    • Motivation problems: Trouble initiating, procrastinate, seem unmotivated, don’t know where or how to start.
    • Time management problems: have un unrealistic perception of how much time and energy is needed for homework, studying, chores, responsibilities, getting out of the house in the morning, etc.. Wait until the last minute with important deadlines or miss them altogether.
    • Attention problems: difficulty with focus on one thing at a time, get off task, easily distracted.
      Take their time problems: they can take a very long time to do schoolwork (or any other task) due to procrastinating and delaying tasks.
    • Problems reflecting accurately: these students usually do not understand their challenges well enough to know what to do about them.
    • Advocacy problems: do not self-advocate effectively, don’t ask teachers for help early enough or at all.
    • Overwhelmed by demands: they get into a vicious cycle with learning demands at school which triggers anxiety and problems in coping.
    • Dodge discomfort: these students often want to do well and have great intentions but don’t have the skills, and thus often make excuses.
    • Bright & Quirky: may be bright, are gifted or talented talents, specific interests that they thrive in but not recognised in traditional schooling.

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