Executive Functioning Skills- Group Coaching Class

Executive functioning (EF) skills refers to a set of cognitive processes (mental thinking skills) that help people plan, prioritize, organize, initiate, and complete tasks, as well as regulate their emotions and behaviours. These processes are critical for success in all areas of life, and can be especially important for tweens and teens as they navigate the challenges of adolescence. Learning ways to support these skills within daily life is especially important for neurodiverse learners, such as ADHD and Autistic learners. 

In this ongoing group coaching class, we will explore learner-centered topics of significance each week. These are the EF challenges that learners are facing in their day-to-day life. We will support each other with tips, tricks, and strategies for the challenges shared each week. Learners are encouraged to bring to class, any physical items they are finding challenging (e.g. binders), as well as examples of their current challenges (e.g. trouble finishing homework assignments). Please note that this class is a skill-building, supportive, social class, not therapy.

Although this class is based upon what is shared by the learners each week, monthly themes have been established for instances where learners do not have specific challenges to share that week. Exploring monthly themes per week, allows more time for both the teacher and learners to share some plans that have worked for them or strategies they'd like to try. Monthly themes may not be explored each week if learners have specific EF challenges they'd  like the class' support with. The teaching techniques that will primarily be used are discussions, interactive activities, videos, games, scenarios, and worksheets. During this class, learners will have an opportunity to explore some challenging EF areas and participate in activities to strengthen and build upon those skill areas. There may be supplementary material shared after class, this will be based upon what the learners share in class that week.

Monthly themes are as follows (please note that that themes will repeat after last listed month below) and do not build upon each other each week, therefore you can join anytime:

June 2024: Perseverance
Week of: June 2, June 9, June 16, June 23, June 30

July 2024: Self-Advocacy/Communication
Week of: July 7, July 14, July 21, July 28

August 2024: Impulsivity (may include budgeting/shopping/subscriptions/gaming etc.)
Week of: Aug 4, Aug 11, *no class Aug 18*, Aug 25

September 2024: Organization 
Week of: *No class Sept 1*, Sept 8, Sept 15, Sept 22, Sept 29 

October 2024: Planning and Prioritizing
Week of: Oct 6, Oct 13, Oct 20, Oct 27

November 2024: Time Management
Week of: *no class Nov 3* Nov 10, Nov 17, Nov 24

December 2024: Task Initiation and Completion 
Week of: Dec 1, Dec 8, Dec 15, Dec 22 *No class Dec 29*

January 2025: Working Memory
Week of *no class Jan 5* , Jan 12, Jan 19, Jan 26, 

February 2025: Metacognition/Self Awareness
Week of Feb 2, Feb 9, Feb 16, Feb 23

March 2025: Emotional Regulation
Week of Mar 2, Mar 9, Mar 16, Mar 23, Mar 30

April 2025: Attention and Focus
Week of April 6, April 13, April 20, April 27

May 2025: Mental Flexibility
Week of May 4, May 11, May 25 *no class May 18*

By improving their executive functioning skills, tweens and teens can become more confident in their ability to succeed in all areas of their lives. This can lead to greater self-esteem, self-advocacy and a more positive outlook on the future.

Learners need no prior knowledge to join this supportive social class however, if you'd like to explore executive functioning skills in a weekly, topic-based structured class, please see this class: 
https://outschool.com/classes/executive-functioning-skills-skill-builders-crew-qWPCCO5O?usid=Pny1UtVA&signup=true&utm_campaign=share_activity_link

This class is taught by an ADHD educator who utilizes a neurodiversity-affirming and strength-based approach.