What Does a Typical Executive Function Coaching Session Look Like?
- Sean McCormick
- Aug 21, 2023
- 6 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Last updated: November 2025
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Many families struggle to find the right support for students with executive function challenges and can fall into some dangerous traps as a result.
Some of the most common mistakes include relying only on tutoring (which focuses on academic content, not process), overlooking the value of one-to-one coaching, or expecting students to “just try harder” without teaching the skills they need.
The good news is, executive function coaching provides practical, actionable strategies to bridge these gaps, offering support where it matters most: at the point of performance.
And if you consider yourself more of a visual learner, I've also recorded a helpful YouTube video on this same topic, which you can check out here 👇
Table of Contents
Is your child’s backpack overflowing with loose papers and unfinished homework? Maybe you’ve watched them scroll endlessly through assignments, unsure where to start, all while frustration rises on both sides of the kitchen table.
I once worked with a bright seventh grader, who, for the sake of anonymity, we'll refer to as Sam. Despite his smarts, every Sunday night became a battle: backpacks dumped out, missing math worksheets suddenly “due tomorrow,” and countless reminders echoing through the house.
No matter how many checklists I printed, nothing seemed to stick.
Sound familiar?
Many families wrestle with the gap between what their kids know and what they can actually get done. That’s where executive function coaching steps in, offering not just hope, but proven steps forward.
Why Executive Function Coaching Sessions Are Worth the Cost
Executive function skills (like organization, time management, and self-advocacy) are foundational for success in both school and life.
When these skills are underdeveloped, students may struggle with academics, feel overwhelmed by tasks, and experience frustration at home and in the classroom. Families often face mounting stress, uncertainty, and a search for real solutions.
Executive function coaching directly supports these areas, leading to better experiences such as:
Better grades
Less missing assignments
Improved communication with their teachers
(Plus, their parents are way less stressed 😌)
The reason for this is that they are receiving one-to-one support on their most pressing challenges.
EF coaches call this spot where students get stuck to the point of performance.
But instead of stuffing papers into their backpack and opting to playing video games, they are working with a seasoned professional who is teaching them the things they don't usually learn in class.
Instead of procrastinating or feeling overwhelmed, students learn real-life strategies such as:
How to write an email
How to ask for extensions and additional support
How to break large projects into manageable chunks
These are skills and strategies that set EF coaches apart from a general tutor.
How Is an EF Coaching Session Different Than Tutoring?
Anyone can call themselves a tutor, leading to a wide range of experience and qualifications. Just go to Wyzant and look at the range of results. You have kids in high school all the way to graduate school teachers.
As an executive function coach, it is different.
Executive function coaches are trained in education and understand the building blocks of successful learning: executive function skills.
Tutoring usually focuses on a specific subject or academic need. Executive function coaching is about teaching the process (the how, not just the what) so students can apply it across all their classes and challenges.
So, What Happens in an EF Coaching Session?
A typical session is structured around the P.E.M.D.A.S. process—a step-by-step approach designed to maximize support and build independence.
What Does P.E.M.D.A.S. Stand For?
Prioritizing the Secure Connection (5 minutes)
Building trust and rapport comes first. Coaches ask questions like:
"Is there anything you want to discuss before we identify any key assignments or tasks?"
This way, you can make sure the student is comfortable and ready to tackle their goals.
Establish SMART Goals (5 minutes)
Clear expectations are set by asking:
“What would make this meeting worthwhile for you?”
This leads to actionable, realistic goals.
Make Everyone Aware of the Goals (10 minutes)
All parties (student, coach, and sometimes parents) align on what needs to be accomplished.
Divide Goals into Chunks (5 minutes)
Large tasks are divided into smaller, more manageable parts, reducing overwhelm and increasing the likelihood of progress.
Accountability (15 minutes)
Coaches help students track achievements and set up ways to demonstrate completion, encouraging responsibility and follow-through.
Need help coming up with an all-in-one system to make tracking progress easy? Be sure to download my student dashboard:
Show Them You’re Proud (2.5 minutes)
Recognizing successes boosts confidence and motivates students for the next challenge.
Ending the Session (2.5 minutes)
Sessions end by reviewing accomplishments, confirming next steps, and collecting feedback to maintain continuity and growth. A coach might ask:
What is one key takeaway from today’s session that you feel proud of or excited to continue working on?
How Long Are the Sessions?
At Executive Function Specialists, typical sessions last up to 45 minutes, often followed by 15 minutes of preparation or progress updates for parents via email, phone, or text.
If you're curious about how these recurring weekly meetings work and would rather watch it in video form, check out my YouTube video 👇
FAQs
Who can benefit from executive function coaching?
EF coaching is valuable for students of all ages, especially those with ADHD, learning differences, or anyone who struggles with organization, time management, or self-motivation.
How is executive function coaching different from traditional tutoring?
Unlike tutoring, which focuses on specific academic subjects, EF coaching teaches overall skills (like planning, prioritizing, and staying organized) that can be applied to any class or challenge.
How long does it take to see results from EF coaching?
Many families notice improvements within a few weeks, but building lasting independent skills typically takes several months of consistent practice and support.
The Bottom Line
As you can see, executive function coaching is quite different from regular tutoring in the following ways:
Executive function coaching addresses underlying skills, not just academic content, helping students where they need it most.
Sessions are structured and intentional, following the P.E.M.D.A.S. process to build trust, set clear goals, and track progress.
Coaching offers practical strategies such as organization, time management, and effective communication, leading to greater independence.
Families often see improvements in academic performance and a reduction in household stress through individualized support.
Unlike traditional tutoring, EF coaching empowers students with lifelong skills that apply across all subjects and challenges.
Hope this helps 🤙🏻
This article is a part of the larger category of:
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P.S. If you want to work on executive function skills with your students, consider joining hundreds of other educators and parents who have completed my Semester Success Blueprint Course. In less than 2 hours, this comprehensive course will teach you and your student the system I developed to help hundreds of students learn how to manage school effectively and raise their self-awareness and engagement with school.
About Me
Hey! I'm Sean 👋
I'm a former public school special education teacher who realized that executive function skills are more important than knowing when George Washington crossed the Potomac.
Since then, I've made it my mission to teach anyone who will listen about how to develop these key life skills.
In 2020, I founded Executive Function Specialists to ensure all students with ADHD and Autism have access to high-quality online executive function coaching services. We offer online EF coaching and courses to help students and families.
Realizing I could only reach so many people through coaching, in 2021 I started the Executive Function Coaching Academy which trains schools, educators, and individuals to learn the key strategies to improve executive function skills for students.
In 2023, I co-founded of UpSkill Specialists, to provide neurodivergent adults with high-quality executive function coaching services.
When not pursuing my passions through work, I love spending time with my family, getting exercise, and growing my brain through reading. You can connect with me on LinkedIn.
Want me to speak on executive function skills at your event? Learn more about my speaking topics here.