Client Success Story: Ava, an Elementary Aged Student

Did you know that children with ADHD often face unique challenges in decision-making, studying, and maintaining focus? For our bright young student Ava, these areas presented hurdles she was eager to overcome. This blog explores how Ava partnered with an ADHD coach, focusing on a new executive function area each week, leading to significant improvements in her academic life. Through their collaboration, Ava learned actionable strategies that would not only help her in the classroom but also equip her for life's broader challenges. Join us as we delve into her coaching journey and discover the powerful tools and techniques that transformed her focus and decision-making abilities. 

Understanding Executive Functioning in ADHD 

Executive functioning refers to the mental processes that allow us to plan, focus attention, remember instructions, and juggle various tasks successfully. For students like Ava, who have ADHD, these skills can be particularly challenging to develop. To provide targeted assistance, Ava’s coach employed a structured weekly plan, where each session concentrated on a different aspect of executive functioning. Here’s how these sessions unfolded: 

Intake Session:  

Ava, her coach, and her parents collaborated to set and prioritize goals during their first meeting, then they created a coaching plan aligned with these objectives. The goals they created were anchored to decision making skills, sustaining focus, study strategies, prioritization, social emotional learning, and managing distractions. 

Week 1: Decision-Making Skills 

During the first week, Ava focused on refining her decision-making skills. Her coach introduced her to a decision matrix, a visual tool that helped Ava evaluate her options based on pros and cons. They practiced using it to make various everyday decisions, from selecting an outfit to choosing which homework assignment to tackle first. Ava learned to weigh her options systematically before arriving at a decision. This strategy reduced her anxiety, as she felt more confident in her choices. 

Week 2: Fostering Sustained Focus 

In the second session, Ava's coach aimed to enhance her ability to maintain focus. They discussed the concept of the ‘Pomodoro Technique’, where work is broken down into intervals (usually 25 minutes) followed by short breaks. Ava and her coach set a timer and practiced focusing intently on a homework assignment, marking a clear break afterward. This method not only improved her concentration but also made studying feel less daunting. 

Week 3: Study Strategies 

Week three shifted gears and tackled effective study strategies. Ava learned how to create engaging study materials, including flashcards and visual organizers. The coach encouraged Ava to experiment with different methods to find what resonated best with her learning style. By the end of the week, Ava prepared for her upcoming test while practicing active recall techniques, which significantly boosted her retention of information. 

Week 4: Goal Setting and Prioritization 

Ava's fourth week was centered around the art of goal setting. Her coach taught her how to break down long-term goals into smaller, actionable ones. For instance, she learned how to divide a large project into manageable pieces, setting specific deadlines for each part. Using a tracking system, Ava began monitoring her progress, allowing her to prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance. This approach fostered a greater sense of accomplishment each day. 

Week 5: Time Management 

In the fifth week, Ava tackled time management techniques. Her coach introduced her to a daily planner where Ava could allocate specific times for homework tasks, breaks, and leisure activities. At first, it felt overwhelming, but Ava soon found it liberating to have a planned schedule. Visualizing her day helped her allocate her time wisely, reducing procrastination and helping her stay on task. 

Week 6: Handling Distractions 

Week six focused on identifying and managing distractions, a common struggle for students with ADHD. Ava learned to recognize what distracted her. Together with her coach, she created a distraction log to track when and where her focus faltered. After identifying patterns, they brainstormed solutions—for instance, Ava decided to study in a quieter area of her home and put her phone in another room while she worked.  

Week 7: Emotional Self-Regulation 

Recognizing that academic challenges often lead to overwhelming emotions, Ava’s seventh week tackled emotional self-regulation. The coach introduced Ava to mindfulness techniques, such as grounding exercises and quick meditation intervals. They practiced these techniques interactively, enabling Ava to manage her feelings of frustration and anxiety. These tools became essential for her to center herself, especially before tests or difficult assignments. 

Week 8: Social and Collaborative Skills 

Ava's journey concluded with a focus on social and collaborative skills. Understanding the importance of teamwork in school, her coach devised activities that required Ava to collaborate with classmates on projects. They role-played different scenarios where Ava practiced communicating her ideas and negotiating solutions. This helped improve her confidence not only in her capabilities but also in interacting with peers. 

Ava's Continuous Journey 

Through this dedicated, week-by-week focus on critical executive functioning areas, Ava transformed her academic experience. Not only did she equip herself with the necessary skills to navigate school, but she also built lifelong tools that will serve her across various situations. Ava learned to approach challenges with resilience and clarity, thanks to her structured coaching sessions. 

Conclusion: Supporting Young Students on Their Journey 

The experience of Ava illuminates the powerful impact of ADHD coaching on students. With a specialized focus on developing key executive function skills week by week, children can learn to manage their difficulties effectively and thrive in a challenging academic landscape. Families should consider the immense benefits of coaching, including parent/guardian sessions, and how it can help shape their child's journey toward educational success. Are you ready to witness transformative changes in your child's life? Discover the potential of tailored ADHD coaching today: sign up for a FREE consultation!