FAQs
I primarily work with elementary-aged children, typically ages 5–11. Support may also be available for middle-school students depending on the child’s needs and the type of service requested.
All coaching is individualized and developmentally tailored.
1
What ages do you work with?
I support children who may be experiencing challenges with executive functioning, organization, task initiation, flexible thinking, emotional regulation, social-emotional skills, perspective-taking, confidence, friendship situations, and school-related stress.
I frequently work with neurodivergent children, including children with ADHD, autism, learning differences, and other individual learning profiles.
A formal diagnosis is not required to inquire about services.
2
What types of students do you support?
Executive functioning coaching helps children strengthen the thinking and self-management skills they use throughout everyday life.
These skills may include planning, organization, time awareness, task initiation, working memory, flexible thinking, problem-solving, emotional regulation, and self-monitoring.
Brain Buddy Coaching teaches these skills in concrete, developmentally appropriate ways and helps children practice using them during real-life situations.
3
What is executive functioning coaching?
How is Brain Buddy Coaching different from tutoring or therapy?
4
Tutoring primarily focuses on academic content, while therapy is a clinical service designed to assess and treat mental-health needs.
Brain Buddy Coaching focuses on practical skill-building. Sessions may address executive functioning, emotional regulation, flexible thinking, social-emotional skills, school routines, confidence, and independence.
Coaching can complement tutoring, therapy, occupational therapy, or other services, but it does not replace mental-health treatment or clinical care when those services are needed.
The first step is completing the Brain Buddy interest form.
After reviewing your information, Nicole will contact you regarding the most appropriate next step. Depending on your needs, this may include a brief fit call or a paid Initial Parent Consultation.
Following the consultation, families receive personalized recommendations and information about appropriate services, scheduling, and enrollment.
5
How do we get started?
Why is an Initial Parent Consultation required?
6
The Initial Parent Consultation allows Nicole to understand your child’s strengths, current challenges, history, goals, routines, and existing supports before making recommendations.
This information is used to create a thoughtful and personalized plan rather than beginning with a one-size-fits-all service.
Yes. Parent collaboration is a core part of the Brain Buddy Coaching model.
For ongoing individual coaching clients, one parent collaboration session per month is required. These sessions provide dedicated time to review progress, problem-solve current concerns, learn strategies, and adjust goals.
This helps children use their growing skills more consistently outside the coaching room.
7
Do you work directly with parents?
What happens during an individual child-coaching session?
8
Each session is planned around the child’s individual goals, strengths, interests, and current needs.
Sessions may include games, visual supports, creative activities, movement, stories, discussion, role-play, planning tools, problem-solving challenges, and real-world practice.
Although sessions are engaging and child-centered, each activity is connected to a specific coaching goal.
How are children placed into Brain Buddy Social Clubs?
9
Social Club placement begins with an interest form and fit process.
Children are intentionally matched based on factors such as age, strengths, goals, communication style, regulation needs, and overall group dynamic.
Completing an interest form does not guarantee placement in a particular group. If a Social Club is not the most appropriate option, Nicole may recommend individual coaching or another form of support.
Do you collaborate with schools, therapists, and other providers?
10
Yes. With parent permission, Brain Buddy Coaching can collaborate with teachers, school teams, therapists, behavioral providers, occupational therapists, and other professionals.
Collaboration may include observations, meetings, communication, strategy recommendations, or shared planning.
Yes. With more than 15 years of special-education experience, Nicole supports families with IEP review, meeting preparation, accommodation recommendations, school communication, meeting attendance, and educational advocacy.
Brain Buddy Coaching does not provide legal representation.
11
Do you provide IEP support?
In-person sessions are held at the Brain Buddy Coaching office inside Rooted at the Monroe Center in Hoboken, New Jersey.
Detailed arrival instructions are provided to enrolled families before their first session.
12
Where are in-person sessions held?
Yes. Virtual parent coaching, consultations, school collaboration, and select child-coaching services are available depending on the child’s age, goals, and individual needs.
13
Are virtual services available?
Most individual child-coaching sessions are 60 minutes.
Parent coaching, consultations, school collaboration, and advocacy services may be scheduled in different time increments depending on the service.
14
How long are sessions?
Payment is required in advance to reserve coaching sessions.
Families receive the appropriate invoice or payment link after services and scheduling are confirmed. Individual-session and package options may be available depending on the service.
Specific payment, cancellation, and scheduling policies are provided during enrollment.