Expanding Our Impact: How FA’s Executive Function Coaching is Changing Lives—For Kids and Adults Alike

When Frankenberger Associates Learning Solutions Center first began, the mission was clear: evaluate students and provide accurate diagnoses to help families better understand their children’s unique learning needs. For years, Caryl Frankenberger dedicated herself to this work, ensuring that children and young adults struggling with executive functioning challenges, learning disabilities, and other neurodivergent traits had access to the insights they needed.

But as time went on, something became increasingly apparent—diagnoses alone weren’t enough. Understanding a challenge is one thing, but knowing how to navigate and work through it is another. That’s where the real transformation happens.

Beyond the Diagnosis: The Evolution of Executive Function Coaching

Recognizing this gap, we expanded our work beyond evaluations and built a comprehensive Executive Function Coaching program. What started as a service primarily for children, teens, and young adults quickly became one of the cornerstones of our practice. Through tailored coaching, we saw firsthand how executive function strategies—things like time management, organization, emotional regulation, and task initiation—could help students unlock their full potential.

Families saw the impact, too. We watched struggling students become confident, independent learners. Parents expressed gratitude as they witnessed their children become more self-sufficient and less overwhelmed by daily demands.

But then, something unexpected happened.

A Growing Need: Executive Function Coaching for Adults

Over the past year, we have experienced a significant increase in adult clients reaching out for executive function coaching. Many of these individuals had spent years feeling frustrated, overwhelmed, and stuck—often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed in childhood, only to realize later in life that executive dysfunction was at the root of their struggles.

For some, ADHD or other neurodivergent traits had gone unrecognized, leading to chronic challenges in career management, organization, productivity, and personal relationships. Others had been diagnosed but never given the right tools to work with their brains instead of against them.

Now, for the first time, they had access to a structured, supportive approach that didn’t just acknowledge their struggles—it provided real, actionable solutions.

Transforming Lives at Every Stage

Working with adults has been one of the most rewarding expansions of our Executive Function Coaching program. Our coaches have helped professionals learn to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines, supported parents in balancing their responsibilities without burnout, and guided individuals in breaking long-standing patterns of procrastination and self-doubt.

And the results have been life-changing.

One adult client, a highly skilled professional, came to us after years of struggling with chronic disorganization and missed deadlines. Despite excelling in their field, they were constantly overwhelmed by daily tasks, leading to stress and job insecurity. Through personalized coaching, we helped them build sustainable systems for managing their workload, and within months, they had regained confidence and control over their career.

Another client, a parent of two, had always felt like they were "just barely keeping up." The mental load of managing a household, a career, and personal responsibilities felt impossible to juggle. Through executive function coaching, they learned strategies to streamline decision-making, set realistic goals, and create structure in their day—allowing them to feel more present and less anxious.

The Future of Executive Function Coaching at FA

As we continue to grow, one thing is clear: executive function coaching isn’t just for students—it’s for everyone.

Our work with adults has shown us that it’s never too late to build new skills, change habits, and feel in control of your life. Whether it’s a student struggling in school, a young adult navigating college, or a professional looking to optimize their daily routines, the tools we teach are universally valuable.

At FA, we believe in meeting people where they are and helping them move forward with confidence—no matter their age, background, or past challenges.

If you or someone you know could benefit from executive function coaching, we’d love to be part of that journey. After all, thriving isn’t about being perfect—it’s about having the right strategies to succeed.

Ben Backes, LCSW, LACD
Assistant Executive Director