Research-based Approach,

Real-life Application

Our research-based approach to coaching has been developed by leading experts in neurodiversity, coaching, and behavioral science.

Rather than a one-size-fits-all intervention, The How Skills follows a “What-Why-How” method for supporting our individual clients with a wide range of cognitive patterns.

Virtually all of our clients have reported tremendous success with this structured, yet flexible methodology.

Our Methodology

1) What are the challenges?

  • Establish a client-centered environment to openly discuss barriers

  • Gain an in-depth understanding of a specific situation and the relevant context

  • Decouple the person from the behavior and pinpoint the specific behavior-based obstacle

  • Identify the specific behaviors that can be changed

  • Develop concrete and meaningful coaching goals

2) Why is it happening?

  • Understand the client’s distinct cognitive patterns and action processes through probing questions to narrow the scope

  • Identify habits that are detrimental to the individual's productivity or goals

  • Identify the deeper root executive function challenges or barriers

  • Identify environmental, task, or behavior modification opportunities

3) How Can we change it?

  • Develop a differentiated strategy and specific goals to fit the individual’s needs

  • Leverage our library of hundreds of workplace-focused interventions

  • Zone of Proximal Development is important for improvements to occur

  • Weekly accountability allows for regular assessment of progress toward a goal and promotes internal positive reinforcement

  • Habits take approximately 12-15 weeks to become automatic

Cognitive science, behavioral change research, and educational psychology have consistently agreed that barrier reduction is the most promising intervention for facilitating lasting behavior modifications within educational and organizational contexts (Baines, 2014; Dawson & Guare, 2012; National Research Council, 2023).

Four Things to Know About Coaching

1) It’s Personal

What works for you is different than what works for anyone else. We ask a ton of questions to get to know you, understand how things are going right now, and determine what needs to change.

2) It’s a Process

We’ll set up recurring meetings with you to work on strategies and review your progress. We’ll talk about what’s improving and adjust our approach to meet your needs. Many engagements start with 12 weekly one-to-one sessions, but we customize each engagement to suit you. While some suggestions may be instantly helpful, true systemic improvement takes time.

3) We help you think in manageable steps and larger systems.

Our goal is to help you recognize patterns that might lead to challenging behaviors and find positive behaviors to focus on instead. We’ll help you spot the cues that get you started and keep you organized, break tasks into manageable parts, set up ways to reward yourself, track your progress, and stay motivated and accountable along the way.

4) We help others understand your needs

We know that our clients are more successful when their teachers, supervisors, parents, or other supporters understand their needs and know how they can positively reinforce your efforts. We give additional guidance to the people in your corner so they can help your executive function systems flourish long-term.