Executive Function Coaching

The NICE Approach to ADHD and Executive Function Coaching in Singapore

"I am here to help individuals understand what is hindering their progress (self-awareness) and how they can develop skills and build systems that facilitate improvement.

I utilise evidence-based techniques and approaches that can be measured and tracked, ensuring we are not operating on assumptions. I delve deeper to uncover the root causes of common challenges, such as procrastination, shutdowns, missed deadlines, and feelings of overwhelm.

From that understanding, we strategically design practical supports that include routines, tools, and environmental modification aimed at reducing cognitive load, making follow-through easier in daily life.

Most importantly, I focus on creating the conditions that allow for genuine independence to develop, not forced or demanded, but built step by step by the client.

The work is always personalised and collaborative; we co-create strategies that are tailored to the individual, making consistency realistic, repeatable, and sustainable."

- Shyla Mathews -

What is Executive Function?

Executive Function (EF) is the brain's management system.

It is the set of skills that helps:

start tasks
stay focused
remember what to do
plan and organise steps
manage time and deadlines
control impulses
regulate emotions when things feel hard
shift gears and problem-solve
follow through and finish

EF is what helps a person turn intentions into action — especially under stress, distractions, or pressure.

Executive function challenges often sit underneath the real-life struggles seen in ADHD, Dyslexia, Autism, and other learning differences.

What is Executive Function Coaching?

Executive Function coaching supports the skills and systems that sit underneath learning, behaviour, and daily functioning. These include planning, task initiation, organisation, time management, sustained attention, emotional regulation, flexibility, and follow-through.

When Executive Function demands exceed capacity, even capable individuals struggle to start, persist, or regulate, often leading to overwhelm, avoidance, or self-criticism. Coaching focuses on improving fit between demands, capacity, and environment so individuals can function with greater clarity, confidence, and independence.

This work is practical, collaborative, and designed to hold under real-world pressure.

Together with Educational Therapy we strengthen the internal and external language that supports executive function.

Through skill-building and strategy-focused support, coaching helps individuals identify their unique challenges and practise practical tools such as:

breaking goals into manageable steps
prioritising tasks
organising school and work demands
managing time and deadlines
monitoring progress and follow-through
regulating emotions under pressure

Executive Function Coaching for ADHD

ADHD affects more than attention. When ADHD is impacting learning, work performance, relationships, or quality of life, Executive Function Coaching can help strengthen the skills needed for daily functioning. The NICE Approach helps clients build tools to manage these challenges with more clarity and control.

Student Coaching

Executive Function & Learning

Coaching that helps students understand how they learn, not just what to do.

We work on planning, task initiation, organisation, regulation, and follow-through, using clear structure, visual supports, and real school demands.

The goal is independence that holds under pressure, not temporary compliance.

Youth Resilience Coaching

Self-Regulation, Identity, and Capacity-Building

This work supports young people in recognising stress signals, regulating emotions, and responding with intention rather than reactivity.

We focus on emotional regulation, flexibility, self-awareness, and confidence, especially during transitions, setbacks, and high-demand periods.

Resilience is built through understanding systems, not pushing through them.

Parent Coaching

Clarity, Alignment, and Connection to Collaboration

Parent coaching helps caregivers make sense of Executive Function challenges and respond with clarity rather than escalation.
We work on expectations, routines, communication, and support decisions to reduce daily friction and emotional load for everyone involved.

The aim is calmer systems at home and greater confidence in how to support, not constant problem-solving.

Adult Coaching

Executive Function for Work and Life

Adult coaching focuses on planning, prioritisation, time management, and regulation in real-life contexts.

Support is practical and personalised, addressing overwhelm, procrastination, and burnout without judgment.

This is about building systems that work with your brain — and your life — not against them.

Professional Development for Schools & Organisations

Executive Function–Informed Practice

We offer Professional Development for schools and organisations seeking to apply an Executive Function lens to learning, behaviour, and organisational practice.

These sessions support educators, leadership teams, and professionals in understanding Executive Function as the system underlying performance and regulation, and in using this understanding to design environments, expectations, and supports that are sustainable.

Good Executive Functioning is the ability to pause, anticipate, and orchestrate your behaviour toward a goal." Russel Barkley

Executive Function Coaching Supports

Real-Life Thinking

Our coaching is:

Visual & Multi-sensory
Neuroaffirming
Strengths-Based
Practical & Personal

We coach areas such as:

Task Initiation
Time Management
Planning & Organization
Focus & Sustained Attention
Emotional Regulation
Impulse Control
Developing Habits
Goal Directed Persistence
Motivation
Self-Advocacy
Cognitive Flexibility
Resilience and Perseverance
Study Skills (Planning, Notes, Tests, Exams)
Managing Distractions & Transitions

How Coaching Works?

Coaching is a collaborative, forward-focused process. It is not about fixing, diagnosing, or telling someone what to do.

Instead, coaching:

makes thinking visible
reduces unnecessary cognitive load
builds practical systems for real tasks and routines
supports reflection, choice, and follow-through

Sessions may include assessment and observation, goal-setting, strategy development, rehearsal using real demands, and ongoing review. The emphasis is always on sustainability rather than short-term compliance.

Who does this support?

Executive Function coaching is appropriate for:

Students struggling with organisation, workload, transitions, or follow-through
Youth navigating increased academic, social, or emotional demands
Adults managing work, study, life transitions, or ongoing overwhelm
Individuals with ADHD, dyslexia, autism, or mixed profiles — with or without diagnosis

Support is strengths-based, neuroaffirming, and tailored to the individual’s context and goals.

Outcomes People Commonly Experience

Through Executive Function coaching, individuals often develop:

clearer planning and time management
improved task initiation and follow-through
reduced overwhelm and avoidance
stronger self-awareness and confidence
systems that continue to work as demands increase

Progress is measured not only by performance, but by regulation, independence, and sustainability.

“Executive Function doesn’t sit apart from language and literacy. When language is clear and well structured, thinking becomes easier to organise, regulate, and sustain. Executive Function has space to work." Shyla Mathews

The Next Steps

Reach out for an Informal Assessment

Prior to intake we will conduct an Informal Assessment. This does not replace medical reports and professional diagnosis.

Discuss The Recommendations

After the Informal Evaluation, we will generate a Recommendation prior to commencing of the Sessions

Setting Up Sessions

Sessions will be scheduled in blocks of 6.