Ep. 245: What Is Executive Function Coaching? with Rana Lustyan

Joining us for this episode of Diverse Thinking Different Learning is Rana Lustyan! Rana Lustyan is the founder of Growing Minds Coaching, where she helps students with learning differences develop confidence, independence, and academic achievement. She combines strength-based coaching, neuroscience-informed methods, and practical executive function tools to create personalized routines that last. Rana shares her personal journey with ADHD and how it inspired her to help students, especially girls and young women, build the essential life skills needed for lasting confidence and independence. She explains that executive functioning coaching is distinct from educational therapy or tutoring; it is a dynamic, strengths-based approach that helps individuals develop practical skills around planning, organization, time management, task initiation, and more. Rana's POSITIVE acronym outlines the key areas of focus, from prioritizing goals to evaluating progress! The coaching process involves an in-depth intake to understand the student's unique challenges and strengths, followed by weekly 45-minute sessions and regular accountability check-ins. Rana highlights the importance of building trust and meeting the student where they are, often sharing her own experiences to help them feel understood and supported. Rana's approach includes periodic family team meetings to celebrate wins and address any additional concerns, with the ultimate goal of autonomy and equipping students with the tools to manage their lives independently. She also discusses the phasing-out process, where support is gradually reduced as the student gains confidence and mastery. Whether struggling with procrastination, perfectionism, or emotional regulation, Rana's executive functioning coaching can be helpful, especially for girls and young women with ADHD. Show Notes: [3:02] - Rana explains how executive function coaching builds strengths-based strategies for planning, time management, autonomy, and lifelong resilience. [6:33] - Girls often go undiagnosed with ADHD, masking symptoms through perfectionism, overwork, and internal hyperactivity. [8:54] - Acronyms such as POSITIVE help students remember EF skills such as planning, self-advocacy, and initiation. [11:39] - Task initiation, time management, and visualization strategies support students in overcoming procrastination and distractions. [14:36] - Intake sessions can help gather detailed family, academic, and personal context to build trust and customize coaching. [16:14] - Rana argues that students gain confidence via productive first sessions and ongoing check-ins between weekly meetings. [18:45] - As a coach, Rana validates feelings while guiding students toward solutions parents often mishandle. [20:55] - Executive function struggles may include procrastination, perfectionism, rigidity, emotional regulation issues, and burnout risks. [23:56] - Misinterpreting EF challenges as laziness or lack of motivation delays vital support, especially for girls. [25:19] - Rana argues that family team meetings celebrate student wins, build autonomy, and align goals between parents and children. [28:24] - Rana’s 16-session model promotes autonomy via flexible, individualized coaching cycles. [31:07] - EF coaching normalizes struggles, strengthens family bonds, and equips students for lifelong growth. [34:43] - Rana offers resources and consultations through Growing Minds Coaching’s website and direct email contact! Links and Related Resources: Episode 11: Executive Functioning 101 Episode 99: Straight Talk About ADHD in Girls with Dr. Stephen Hinshaw Growing Minds Coaching - Executive Functioning Skills Coaching: What Parents Should Know Growing Minds Coaching - Downloads & Worksheets Connect with Us: Get on our Email List Book a Consultation Get Support and Connect with a ChildNEXUS Provider Register for Our “When Struggles Overlap” Live Webinar Email Dr. Wilson: [e-mail] Connect with Rana Lustyan: Rana's ChildNEXUS Profile Rana’s Instagram Profile