For Young Adults with ADHD, Autism, Neurodivergence & More
Executive Function Coaching
"I know what I need to do. I just can't seem to do it."
We hear this all the time from young adults who come to Cornerstones. They're bright, capable, and full of potential, but something keeps getting in the way of their success. For many, this barrier is often hidden challenges with executive functioning—those invisible skills that turn intentions into actions and goals into achievements.
Executive function coaching at Cornerstones of Maine addresses these challenges head on, helping young adults develop the practical skills they need to navigate education, work, relationships, and independent living as emerging adults.
What Are Executive Function Challenges?
Executive functions are the management systems of the brain—the skills that help us organize, plan, remember, prioritize, and follow through on tasks. These aren't academic skills taught in school, yet they're essential for success in virtually every area of life. As a whole, they’re often taken for granted, until they’re missing.
Young adults with executive function challenges often struggle with a variety of tasks:
- Breaking down complex projects into manageable steps
- Getting started on projects (initiation)
- Impulse Control
- Keeping appointments
- Making and following through on plans
- Managing distractions
- Meeting deadlines
- Organizing information
- Organizing physical spaces
- Regulating emotions
- Remembering important details
- Staying focused
- Time management
- Transitioning between different activities or mindsets
- And more
These difficulties aren't caused by any lack of intelligence or motivation. In fact, many of our clients are exceptionally bright and genuinely want to succeed. They just haven't developed the executive skills that are needed.
How Executive Function Coaching Works
Executive function coaching goes beyond generic advice like "make a to-do list" or "focus.” Executive functioning is complex and highly unique to each individual. Coaching clients requires personalized strategies that work with each person's unique brain wiring, skills, goals, and life circumstances.
Though the process may look different for each clients, typical goals of coaching include:
Identify specific challenges through assessments, observation, and reflection
Understand unique strengths and challenges
Learn practical strategies for independent living
Practice new skills in real-life situations with coaching support
Develop personalized systems for organization, time management, and follow-through
Build metacognitive awareness (the ability to recognize when someone is struggling) and learn how to apply appropriate strategies
Transfer skills to new situations and challenges
Unlike traditional tutoring or academic coaching, executive function support is integrated into daily life at Cornerstones. Coaches and clinicians work alongside young adults in their living spaces, during community activities, and in educational and vocational settings, providing in-the-moment guidance exactly when it's needed most.
At Cornerstones of Maine, this coaching is both structured and flexible, combining proven techniques with the creativity needed to adapt to each young adult's unique needs and circumstances.
Executive Function Coaching Strategies
External Scaffolding and Systems
Coaches help clients develop external structure that they can depend on while they develop their own internal executive functioning skills. For example:
- Customized systems for organizing physical spaces
- Digital and/or paper planning tools
- Environmental modifications to reduce distractions
- Realistic routines and schedules
- Reminder systems that work
- Visual supports for multi-step processes
Cognitive Strategies & Skills Training
Clients learn specific cognitive techniques for navigating daily challenges, such as:
- Attention management techniques
- Decision-making frameworks for moments of overwhelm
- Memory strategies and systems
- Prioritization methods for competing demands
- Task initiation strategies to overcome procrastination
- Time awareness exercises and time estimation
Emotional Regulation Support
Executive functioning also includes managing the emotions that can derail our best intentions. Our coaches help young adults:
- Build resilience for handling setbacks
- Develop self-compassion around executive function challenges
- Develop strategies for working through frustration and overwhelm
- Manage perfectionism and fear of failure
- Recognize emotional triggers
Executive Function Coaching for Neurodivergent Populations
While executive function challenges affect many young adults, they can be particularly significant for those with neurodivergence. Executive function coaching is a major aspect of our neurodivergence-affirming transitional living program at Rubedo, catering specifically to clients with:
- ADHD
- Autism Spectrum Differences
- Anxiety and Depression
- Learning Differences
- Other Types of Neurodivergence
Outcomes of Executive Function Coaching
Like everything else at Cornerstones, our executive function coaching is intensely practical. Young adults work on actual life tasks with their coaches, including:
This real-world practice ensures that skills transfer beyond the coaching relationship into independent living.
Step Into Lasting Independence
Executive function skills develop throughout young adulthood, and with the right support, significant improvements are possible. If your young adult has struggled with the invisible but essential skills of organization, time management, and follow-through, our executive function coaching program might be the support they need to bridge the gap between their potential and their achievements. Contact our team today to learn more about how executive function coaching fits within our residential treatment, transitional living, and aftercare programs for young adults.