Oliver’s Journey: From Overwhelmed to Confident and Independent

Student Profile

Oliver began executive function coaching as a 7th-grade student at a private school in Fairfax County, Virginia. Diagnosed with dysgraphia and slow processing speed, Oliver faced significant challenges in managing his workload, keeping track of assignments, and completing tasks efficiently. His parents sought coaching to support him in building core executive function (EF) skills, including prioritization, organization, and study strategies, while addressing his struggles with dysgraphia.

When Coach Mira first met him, Oliver was a bright, articulate student with a deep sense of self-awareness. However, he often felt overwhelmed by his academic responsibilities and lacked the confidence to navigate them independently. He struggled to keep up with his workload, missed assignments, and frequently underestimated the time needed to complete tasks. These challenges often left him feeling discouraged and unsure of his abilities.

Coaching Process

Establishing Foundational Systems
In the early months of coaching, Coach Mira and Oliver focused on creating a strong foundation for his success. Together, they implemented a structured planner system and an organized binder setup tailored to his needs. These tools helped Oliver track his assignments, manage his materials, and develop a more proactive approach to planning his week.

Breaking down large assignments into smaller, manageable tasks became a key strategy, helping Oliver tackle his work without feeling overwhelmed. To address his dysgraphia, Mira integrated structured writing sessions into their coaching, emphasizing techniques such as brainstorming, outlining, and incremental drafting. These strategies allowed Oliver to express his ideas more clearly and confidently.

Building Confidence and Independence
A significant focus of Coach Mira’s work with Oliver was fostering his independence. Early on, he required frequent reminders and close supervision to stay on top of his responsibilities. Over time, as Oliver became more comfortable using his planner and managing his materials, Mira gradually reduced the level of support, allowing him to take greater ownership of his schedule and tasks.

Oliver’s growing independence also extended to his study habits. Mira introduced active learning strategies that matched his processing style, such as summarizing key points aloud, using visual aids, and annotating texts. These techniques helped Oliver engage more deeply with his assignments and prepare effectively for tests.

Overcoming Challenges with Writing
Writing was one of Oliver’s most significant challenges due to his dysgraphia. Mira worked with him on addressing this by walking through teacher feedback, making corrections, and discussing how to clarify and organize his ideas. Oliver’s confidence grew as he began to see improvements in his writing, and his perseverance through difficult assignments demonstrated his resilience and determination.

Student Outcomes

Today, Oliver is thriving as an 8th grade student. His once-overwhelming workload is now structured and manageable, thanks to the tools and strategies he has mastered. Oliver independently maintains his planner, tracks his assignments, and uses prioritization techniques to plan his week. His evenings, once filled with stress and rushed tasks, are now calm and productive.

Oliver’s writing skills have improved dramatically. By applying the strategies he’s learned, he has developed the ability to craft clear and organized essays, earning praise from his teachers for his thoughtful ideas and improved execution.

One of the most remarkable aspects of Oliver’s transformation is his newfound confidence. Where he once hesitated to seek help or advocate for himself, Oliver is now actively engaging with his teachers to access the accommodations that support his success. This shift reflects his belief in his abilities and his understanding of the tools available to help him thrive.

Oliver has grown into a calm, confident, and independent learner. His transformation highlights the power of tailored coaching and his own determination to overcome challenges. With these skills and his positive mindset, Oliver is well-prepared for continued success in school and beyond.

*Identifying information has been modified to ensure student confidentiality.