Executive Functioning Tutoring and How to Benefit from It
Executive dysfunction can significantly impact our lives—just ask my spouse, and he’ll tell you all about the ways it impacts our household! Before understanding that my struggles with organization, planning, cleanliness, focus, and working memory were connected to my ADHD, I often felt like I was simply failing to adult properly. However, once I discovered the link between my ADHD and executive dysfunction, a whole new world of understanding opened up.
Learning about how executive dysfunction underlies many of my daily challenges has allowed me to be kinder to myself when I inevitably make scheduling mistakes, misplace my airpods, or struggle to start even simple tasks. Along this journey, I have also acquired some executive dysfunction help.
That's why I believe it is crucial for those of us with ADHD to explore executive dysfunction help and consider the benefits of ADHD tutoring and coaching. These resources can provide invaluable support in managing executive functioning challenges and navigating daily life more successfully. In this blog post, we will explore the concept of executive functioning and executive dysfunction and how ADHD tutoring can offer support and strategies for those of us who need it.
What is Executive Functioning?
Executive functioning plays a crucial role in our daily lives! Executive functioning refers to a set of cognitive processes that allow us to manage our thoughts, actions, and emotions effectively. It impacts various aspects of our life, such as organization, time management, planning, and decision-making. However, people with executive dysfunction, particularly those of us with ADHD, often face challenges in these areas.
Essentially executive functioning is all about effectively managing our thoughts, actions, and emotions. It encompasses skills like organization, memory, flexibility, self-control, and goal-oriented behavior. These functions play a vital role in academic performance, professional success, and overall well-being.
For example, my executive dysfunction struggles make it hard to remember if I’ve taken my medication or not, difficult to clean or organize (my brain gets overwhelmed, and I don’t know where to start!), making and attending regular medical visits, and more. These struggles are often the source of overwhelm, anxiety, and shame for many ADHD people.
Executive Dysfunction and ADHD
Executive dysfunction is associated with ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder). Those of us with ADHD struggle with executive functioning skills, leading to difficulties in planning, prioritizing tasks, maintaining focus, and self-regulation. These challenges can significantly impact academic performance, daily functioning, and mental health.
When we struggle with executive dysfunction, tasks like planning, focusing, and regulating emotions can cause overwhelm and anxiety. When we struggle with executive functioning, it can significantly impact our self-esteem and sense of self-efficacy. Self-efficacy refers to our confidence in our ability to navigate and accomplish tasks and goals successfully. For this reason, many of us benefited from targeted support such as executive functioning coaching and ADHD tutoring.
Executive Functioning Tutoring
Executive functioning tutoring provides specialized support for people grappling with executive dysfunction. Through personalized one-on-one sessions, experienced tutors and coaches can provide different strategies and techniques to support executive functioning skills. While executive functioning tutoring doesn’t “fix” our emotional dysfunction, it can introduce practices that help support our brains. For example, skills like time-blocking, brain dumps, breaking tasks down, creating visualized calendars and alarms, the Pomodoro technique, and more have been game changers for me.
What Does Executive Functioning Tutoring Look Like?
Executive functioning tutoring typically involves one-on-one sessions with a tutor who understands the specific needs of people with ADHD. Tutors work collaboratively with students, focusing on identifying and targeting specific executive functions that require improvement. Sessions may cover organization, time management, task prioritization, planning, problem-solving, and self-regulation.
What to Expect From ADHD Tutoring
During sessions, tutors often first will ask you about your goals. They will then work closely with you to identify and address specific areas that need support. A good executive functioning coach can help you with the following:
Organization and planning
Time management
Problem-solving
Self-regulation
Task initiation and motivation
Plotting out deadlines
Organizing projects into manageable chunks
ADHD tutoring covers several essential skills. For ADHDers, one of the biggest benefits I often hear is that having someone to check in with helps them stay on track and motivated.
Who is Executive Functioning Tutoring for?
Executive functioning tutoring benefits people of all ages who struggle with executive dysfunction, particularly those with ADHD. This type of tutoring is not limited to students; professionals and adults who experience challenges related to executive functioning can also benefit from ADHD coaching and ADHD tutoring.
Benefits of Executive Functioning Tutoring
Executive functioning tutoring offers several valuable benefits. Some of these include:
Personalized Support: Tutors tailor their approach to meet the person’s specific needs, addressing their executive functioning challenges in a personalized manner.
Skill Development: Tutoring sessions focus on developing and strengthening executive functioning skills, enabling people to improve their organization, time management, and self-regulation abilities.
Strategies and Techniques: Tutors provide practical strategies and techniques that can be applied in various contexts, helping people overcome obstacles related to executive dysfunction.
Accountability: Having a person to check in with regularly creates motivation and accountability, which is key for the success of many ADHDers.
Increased Confidence: By learning effective executive functioning strategies, individuals gain confidence in managing their tasks, responsibilities, and daily routines.
Online ADHD Tutoring Resources
Various online tutoring services specialize in executive functioning support. Here are a few examples for you to compare:
Marker Learning: Marker Learning offers executive functioning tutoring for students of all ages, focusing on neurodivergent individuals. Their tutors provide tailored strategies to enhance executive skills, such as organization, time management, planning, and self-regulation. With a neurodiversity-friendly approach, Marker Learning tutors offer practical techniques and long-term support to help students improve their academic performance and develop important life skills. Marker Learning offers ongoing support to students as they prioritize providing consistent guidance throughout the academic journey. This long-term support fosters a positive and collaborative relationship between the tutor and the student, creating a safe and supportive learning environment. You can use my affiliate link to get $100 off a coaching package.
Executive Functioning Coaching: This online coaching service supports professionals and adults to improve organization, time management, and productivity. The coaching focuses on executive dysfunction help by developing effective systems, improving time management, and increasing productivity. The coach provides accountability and support, helping individuals set priorities, overcome challenges, and achieve their goals.
Edge Foundation: The Edge Foundation is another online ADHD tutoring program that provides ADHD tutoring for students with a particular emphasis on middle school, high school, and college-age learners. They offer personalized coaching services with a focus on academic success.
TutorMe: TutorMe is an online tutoring platform that focuses on children in K-12. TutorMe offers one-on-one tutoring sessions with tutors who can help children develop executive functioning skills. TutorMe's online platform offers flexibility for ADHD tutoring. Students can schedule tutoring sessions at their preferred times. They also offer holistic support to students beyond executive functioning skills. They understand that executive functioning skills are interconnected with other academic and life skills. Therefore, TutorMe tutors may also assist students with related areas such as study skills, organization of schoolwork, effective note-taking, and overall academic success strategies.
Educational and Functional Specialists (EFS): EFS is an organization that offers ADHD tutoring and executive functioning dysfunction help. They provide personalized coaching services to help people enhance their executive functioning skills.
Group Coaching: If you thrive in groups and want to connect with other ADHDers, then group coaching may be a good option. I have heard fantastic things about Nicole Bulsara’s group coaching (she provides several groups throughout the year) (She also offers individual group coaching).
ADHD Coach Directories: Many ADHD coaches specialize in executive functioning coaching. If you prefer to look for an individual coach, you can use a directory (the benefit is having a more personalized look at your potential coach; the downside is it takes more executive functioning to power through the search! For example, ACO has several ADHD directories, as does CHADD and ADDitude magazine. The Professional Association for ADHD Coaches (PAAC) also has an online directory.
Choosing an ADHD Tutor
When deciding which tutoring program to go with, it is important to weigh the pros and cons of different providers based. Ultimately, the choice should be based on finding the tutoring provider that best aligns with your specific circumstances and goals.
What specific areas of executive functioning do you need support with? Here are some questions to consider when deciding which type of tutoring works best for you.
What is your budget for executive functioning coaching?
How regularly would you like to meet with a coach?
What is your preferred coaching format? (online or in person).
Do you want to go with an organization or find an individual coach?
Have people in your life undergone executive functioning coaching? If so, can you get recommendations from them?
Does your workplace or school offer executive functioning coaching?
What are your long-term goals for executive functioning coaching?
How do you prefer to receive feedback and support from your coach?
Are you open to group coaching or prefer one-on-one sessions?
Marker Learning
While there are several great options, I am a fan of Marker Learning’s mission and values. While new to the scene of ADHD assessments and ADHD tutoring, their dedication to providing services to the underserved and using streamlining processes to do so is notable. Here are some additional reasons why Marker Learning may be a strong choice for you:
Neurodivergent-Friendly Approach: Marker Learning was founded by a neurodivergent person and arose from his desire to fill the service gap. They have experience working with neurodivergent people and understand our specific needs. This expertise enables them to create an inclusive and supportive learning environment for students with diverse neurological profiles.
Specialization and Expertise: Marker Learning specializes in executive functioning tutoring, making them highly knowledgeable and experienced in addressing the challenges associated with these skills. Their focused approach allows them to provide targeted strategies and support.
Continuity of Care: One aspect that I truly appreciate about Marker Learning is its commitment to continuity of care. In addition to offering ADHD assessments, they provide a comprehensive experience encompassing the entire journey from diagnosis to ongoing support. This holistic approach ensures that people receive guidance and resources throughout the process, fostering a sense of consistency and support at every stage.
Availability and Convenience: Marker Learning excels in availability and convenience for executive functioning tutoring due to its online platform, flexible scheduling, on-demand support, extended availability, and lack of geographical constraints. Students can easily access tutoring sessions from anywhere, schedule sessions at their preferred times, receive prompt assistance when needed, and benefit from extended hours of availability.
Reviews and Reputation: Marker Learning has a strong reputation and positive reviews in executive functioning tutoring due to its high-quality services, success in improving skills, positive testimonials, referrals, and credible presence. Clients consistently provide positive feedback, highlighting their tutors' effectiveness and satisfaction with the tutoring experience.
When considering executive functioning tutoring, finding the option that best aligns with your situation and goals is important. If you want to try Marker Learning, I have a partnership with them where you can purchase a coaching bundle and get $100 off (disclaimer, as a partner, I also receive a commission when you purchase).
Summary
Executive functioning refers to a set of cognitive processes that help people manage their thoughts, actions, and emotions effectively. It includes skills like organization, time management, flexible thinking, self-control, and goal-directed behavior. Executive functioning plays a vital role in our daily lives, influencing decision-making, relationships, quality of life, self-confidence, and more. People with executive dysfunction, especially those of us with ADHD, often face challenges in these areas. Many of us benefit from targeted executive dysfunction help and ADHD coaching.
Executive functioning tutoring is one resource that can be helpful for those of us struggling with executive dysfunction and ADHD. It provides personalized support, skill development, and practical strategies to enhance executive skills. It typically involves one-on-one sessions with qualified tutors who understand the specific needs of neurodivergent learners. Tutors focus on areas such as organization, time management, task prioritization, planning, problem-solving, and self-regulation.
Online tutoring services like Marker Learning offer tailored support for neurodivergent people, but it's helpful to compare multiple options and select the one that best aligns with your needs. With executive functioning tutoring, we can boost self-confidence and learn important strategies to better work with our brains.
Overall, executive functioning tutoring can really help us improve executive functioning skills, overcome challenges associated with executive dysfunction, and enhance our academic performance, professional success, and overall well-being. By supporting our executive functioning, we cultivate resilience and self-efficacy and empower ourselves to navigate life challenges with less overwhelm.
