Laura Decker, MA

Coach

I work with children, adolescents, and adults who struggle with underdeveloped Executive Function Skills and difficulties acquiring independent Life Skills. More specifically, individuals who face challenges in planning and organization, time management, decision-making, and self-sufficiency. They often feel overwhelmed and find it difficult to prioritize tasks. They find themselves needing 1:1 support in developing effective strategies to stay focused and productive. Examples of their goals might include improving task initiation and completion, strengthening self-regulation, developing effective communication and self-advocacy skills, reducing stress and anxiety, creating daily routines and schedules, and increasing resilience and cognitive flexibility. Overall, they want to develop confidence in their self-management skills while working towards their personal, academic, and occupational goals.

I help my clients identify strengths and barriers in their cognitive processes, allowing us to establish personalized goals. I introduce them to practical strategies, practice using those strategies with them, and guide reflection to improve their own understanding of their areas of strength as well as friction. We will work together to determine what’s working and what isn’t working, and practice making positive shifts in actions, behavior patterns, and thinking to help move you toward your goals and manage disruptive behaviors and thinking. Whether you’re a student struggling with time-management and staying on-task or an adult navigating life transitions or complexities of daily life, I can help you take the steps to make positive changes that increase opportunities for success.

You may be asking yourself, what is Executive Function and how does it affect me? Executive Function encompasses a set of cognitive skills that allow us to effectively plan and manage our day-to-day tasks. These skills aren’t innate or always automatically developed. Just like any other skill, sometimes they need to be taught, nurtured, and strengthened. It’s all about understanding how your unique brain works and finding the strategies and tools that best support your success.

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, or find it challenging to stay organized and motivated, I’m here to offer guidance, support, and accountability. I understand the challenges you may be facing with managing daily tasks and obligations, and the emotional impact that may result from that. I can work with you to help you navigate your unique challenges and experiences in a supportive and collaborative way and introduce you to tools and strategies to strengthen your skills to reach your full potential.

I received my Masters degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Ball State University.

My specialties include:

ADHD
ASD
Behavioral Issues
Executive Function Skills
Life Skills