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What is an Executive Functioning Coach?

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About Us

Neurodiverse Student Services’ (NDSS) primary objective is to remove barriers and create opportunities for success among neurodivergent students. Neurodivergent individuals include those with neurological differences such as autism, ADHD, and dyslexia. By offering support tailored to the unique needs of these students, NDSS aims to support students using a strength-based approach.

CEO

Gary Gerst is an experienced educator with 27 years of experience in the field of education. He has worked in various capacities during his career, including teaching grades 4 through 8 for a period of 10 years. Gary has also held several leadership positions, including that of a Curriculum Coordinator and Director of Special Education. Currently, he serves as the Principal of Minoa Elementary School in the East Syracuse Minoa Central School District.

Gary has been connected to New York University’s NEST and Program for Neurodiversity and Inclusion Education (PINE) since 2016. He believes it is critical to understand students Executive Functioning (EF) strengths and challenges so that an individualized Executive Functioning (EF) Plan can be made. Gary believes the EF Plan is the key to supporting students academically and social emotionally. He is committed to supporting neurodivergent students achieve their full potential by using a strengths-based approach.

Our Services

Through a series of questionnaires, discussions with both the parent and the student, as well as coach observations, an Executive Functioning Profile of your child will be constructed. The aim is to identify and celebrate your child's strengths, and use them to support areas where additional help is needed. To achieve this, an Executive Functioning Coach will work with your child weekly, improving all aspects of their EF, academically and socially. The associated fee is $75 per hour.

This services includes students who are transitioning out of High School or College. We will help students with college applications, job applications, etc.

If a student is out of college, we can set up sessions to plan next steps for the student.

Executive Functioning Coach

Parent Coaching & Consulting

Assisting Parents in Supporting Their Children:

We offer a range of strategies for parents to support their child, and meetings can be held in various ways: via Zoom, Google Meet, phone conference, or in-person. The associated fee is $75 per hour.

IEP Consultation & CSE Planning

Supporting Students with Special Needs:

At NDSS, we provide a range of services to support students with special needs. We will review any student's Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and offer recommendations for possible modifications. Additionally, we can assist parents in preparing for the Committee on Special Education (CSE) meetings by drafting a written strategy to guide the process. The associated fee is $75 per hour.

Executive Functioning

The Importance of Executive Functioning (EF) Skills:

Executive Functioning (EF) skills are a collection of cognitive abilities that allow individuals to achieve their objectives by controlling and regulating their thoughts, emotions, and actions. These include planning, organizing, initiating tasks, managing time, staying focused, and adapting to change. NDSS aids in recognizing strengths and weaknesses in executive functioning skills, which is vital for improving them. It's worth noting that executive functioning is comparable to the CEO of one's brain.

Pattern of Executive Functioning Struggles

I need a plan.

How do I stay focused?

How do I start?

I am frustrated...nervous... I cannot do this! Possible Meltdown or “I QUIT!”

I need help!!!

Wait...what was I supposed to do??

NDSS LLC

Executive Functioning Coaching Process

Step 1: Relationship Building

• Visiting the student & parents
  
• Observe student in their environment
• Learn about all of the student’s strengths & interests
• Begin to teach student and parents about EF skills
  

Step 3: Craft a Plan, Do, Check, & Act (PDSA) Cycle

• Develop goals using the PDSA cycle & the information that NDSS gathers from discussions.
  
• The goals will be established with input from the student and their parents through a collaborative process
• NDSS develop a Blueprint for Success which will reviewed every four months.
• The Executive Functioning Coach will use the Blueprint to plan coaching sessions with the student
  

Step 2: Develop Student’s Executive Functioning (EF) Profile

• Student & parents complete questionnaires
• Discuss daily routines
• What routines go well for the student & what are challenges
• Connect with student’s teachers & anyone else that works with the student (coaches, club advisors, etc.)
• Write the EF Profile for the student to discuss with the student & parents
  

Step 4: Executive Functioning (EF) Coaching

• The NDSS EF Coach will use the Blueprint to plan coaching sessions
• The EF Coach will meet with the student one to two times each week for an hour
• Feedback will be given after each session to the student and parents

What is New?

What is Gary Reading?

Overview coming soon!

What book is next?