Debo has always struggled with building healthy habits. Every morning, his mother asks, "Debo, did you brush your teeth?" Debo scratches his head and says, "I think so." When Mom checks the bathroom, Adebowale's toothbrush is dry. To this, he always says, "Maybe I forgot."
The same went for bedtime. "Uh oh, I can't believe it's midnight," he would say, wide awake. He is supposed to be asleep by nine o’clock on weekdays.
And his study habits? Let's just say his textbooks are in pristine condition.
Children like Debo appear to have difficulty with executive function skills required to build good habits for self-care or school. If your child sounds like this kiddo, you may consider going to an Executive Function Coach for support.
How an Executive Function Coach Can Help
Assess
Coaches evaluate the child's current executive function skills, strengths, and areas needing improvement through observation, interviews, and assessments. They also work with the parents to get the full picture of the child’s executive function as observed at home and in school. This personalized approach helps create a plan with appropriate goals for the child.
Educate
An executive function coach pulls from a well-established curriculum with lessons that target your child’s weaker EF skills. The coach provides education, resources, and practical advice tailored to their needs and learning style. Expect your child to learn about task prioritization, time management techniques, organization skills, and methods for improving focus and attention.
Inspire
Coaches provide a safe space for children to reflect on their executive function challenges. With the help of a professional, your child can identify “blockers” that may get in the way of achieving their goals and ways to move past them. Your coach may show videos as a way to motivate the child. It is important for an executive function coach to not only educate by teaching essential skills but also to inspire by providing encouragement which is what every child needs.
Practice
An executive function coach helps your child practice a habit by teaching specific strategies, providing structure, and offering individualized feedback. Your child improves their weak EF skill by practicing the new habit until it becomes routine. A coach also provides accountability by monitoring and checking in on your child’s progress. These sessions further reinforce the habit and promote generalization in all areas of life.
Habit
Coaches provide guidance on setting realistic goals, facilitating problem-solving, and providing other supports to form healthy habits. Whether your child struggles with finding the time to study or establishing an effective morning routine, an executive function coach can provide valuable support. With practice, the new habit can stick and become second nature!
Other Ways to Help Children Like Debo
Studies have shown that several interventions, such as therapy and medication can help children with difficulties in executive function (EF) skills.
For example, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can help kids identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors. Remember that the way we think and act greatly affects our ability to perform day-to-day routines. Through CBT techniques like cognitive restructuring and behavioral activation, children learn to replace habits that are deemed unhealthy with positive ones. They will develop effective coping strategies and build resilience to maintain long-term behavioral changes.
Occupational therapy can also help improve planning and organization skills, develop routines for daily tasks like getting ready for school or completing homework, and teach compensatory strategies for managing time effectively. OT practitioners assess a child's sensory processing, motor skills, and cognitive abilities to address barriers that may hinder their engagement in routines like self-care, play, and school tasks.
Medication can also be beneficial for children experiencing a higher level of executive dysfunction or those formally diagnosed with ADHD. Some common examples of prescribed stimulants are Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta) and amphetamines (Adderall). Non-stimulants such as Atomoxetine can also help improve attention, control impulsivity, and regulate hyperactivity, which may directly impact their ability to form good habits.
By considering all these options and employing the help of an executive function coach, you can empower your child to build healthy habits at home and in school.
Ready to book a consultation for executive function coaching? Contact us at Habit Coach today!
