WHAT IS COACHING?
Coaching is a professional relationship in which the coach supports the client in creating specific strategies for success.
We identify roadblocks and develop plans to overcome them. Coaches do not tell clients what to do. Instead, we support the client in identifying personal motivators and obstacles and we implement strategies designed to help clients achieve their goals. We do this by asking questions, listening and offering tools that help provide insight. Coaches help their clients figure out a vision for their life and then support the client in setting goals that will allow them to achieve that vision. The coach is part of the client’s support network for goal attainment, acting as a sounding board for positive change and reflection. These new practices become part of the client’s routine and form the foundation for enduring success.
COACHING vs. THERAPY
Coaching focuses on the client’s present and future. A coach is NOT a therapist, psychologist, counselor or someone who specializes in mental illness. A coach does not analyze or interpret a client’s session. A coach focuses on the “who in the present" whereas a therapist focuses on the ”what, who and why” in the “past, present and future.” It is important to note that because a coach is not a therapist or doctor, a client who suffers from a mental illness must be stable and working with other professionals for the duration of the coaching relationship.
COACHING CATEGORIES FOR CHILDREN
MOTIVATIONAL & REINFORCEMENT STRATEGIES
Is homework time a struggle every single night? Morning routine giving you anxiety on a daily basis? Our unique children’s unique needs require much more than that of a typical “Time for dinner!”, or “Did you clean up your toys?”. By reinforcing the behaviors we WANT to see, and by providing the proper motivation for your child, your home life will be a pleasure! Let us help you figure out what motivates your child. You will be amazed at the change for not only your child, but for your entire family.
CREATING ROUTINES & SCHEDULES
You may think it is boring to do the same thing, day in and day out, over and over and over and over again…. Your atypical child disagrees. This routinization is exactly the thing that will comfort and calm our unique children. Repetition and familiarity with the routines provide a sense of ease to a child with ASD. We will work with you and your family to formulate a plan and implement a routine that will improve the daily experience for your entire family.
MANAGING MELTDOWNS
Does your child have meltdowns? At the most inopportune moments? At bath time or shower time? During transitions? How about right at the moment you need to leave for an appointment? Somehow, our children know the exact moment to drop to the floor, screaming and kicking, making it impossible for us to move on with our day. We will work with you to create a plan and implement strategies that will help you and your child. By making some very minor tweaks to what you are already doing, these meltdowns will become a rare occurrence rather than a regular one.
CREATING OPTIMAL HOMESPACES
Play area always a mess? Having trouble separating play space from work space, and kid space from adult space? Misplacing things that you just had in front of you? Many people don’t realize that having a child with unique needs also requires a unique home setup. With a few simple tricks and changes to your living space, many of these daily hassles and stressors will be a distant memory. With our services, we work with you and your family to create your optimal home space so you can enjoy a peaceful and calm environment.
BULLYING RECOVERY
Victims of bullying suffer long term effects. They have complex and challenging trauma responses, including difficulty making and maintaining friendships, isolation, shutting down in conflict, general mistrust and a lack of self confidence. Our coaches work with victims to identify triggers and how to cope when triggered. A bullying victim often has trouble asking for help or telling a trusted resource when help is needed. With our coach, your child will draft a “help plan” and identify trusted responders. We will implement strategies to improve social skills and build a realistic plan to learn how to make and maintain friendships. We will create plans to identify positive social choices and how to avoid potential risks. Until we can put a stop to bullying, let's empower our kids to respond and recover.
ACADEMIC CHALLENGES
We support students as they pave their own way to success. Whether it is general academic stress, poor time management, executive functioning limitations, distractibility or social pressures that detract from focus, our proven process provides a foundation for balance and success. The student will set goals and create a vision to master academic structure, productivity and organization. These skills will be an invaluable asset throughout the student’s academic career.
PARENTING (CHALLENGING CHILDREN)
Parenting in today’s society presents a unique challenge. Managing the struggles and unknowns of modern life, the symptoms of learning and behavior idiosyncrasies, and simply tolerating typical teen/adolescent behavior can be daunting. Working with our coaches, we will build a customized plan and implement strategies to address the specific obstacles you struggle with in your home. We will set goals and create a vision for your ideal parent/child/family relationship. Our expertise will bring peace and balance back into your home.
PARENT ADVOCACY
Getting your child classified while understanding the ins and outs of the process is extremely overwhelming. From your initial contact with the Department of Health... to the follow up interviews… to scheduling and having testing and evaluations completed... to then awaiting results… Until finally… attending the official meeting… where unfamiliar acronyms and foreign expressions are thrown around by strangers who are discussing your child’s educational future,... IT IS JUST TOO MUCH, unless you have an experienced “tour guide” to guide you through the process. We help our families using our expertise and extensive experience by taking the burden and stress off of you.
FAMILY HAPPINESS
Families who attend sessions with our coaches will develop positive communication skills and an increased awareness of self and others. In a safe and non-confrontational environment, we discuss obstacles, destructive patterns and everyday challenges that modern families face. We will work with your entire family to explore alternative approaches to common problems, create solutions and implement realistic strategies to support and empower all members of the household.
Click the document icon to view a case study emphasizing the importance of coaching given the challenges kids face in today's society.