Welcome, Catherine!

We are so excited to welcome Catherine Austin to our team this fall. She has spent the past 30 years as a learning specialist, helping students with learning differences build confidence, discover their strengths, and develop the skills to succeed academically and personally. Catherine believes in meeting students where they are and helping them become strong, independent learners. She helps students break challenges into manageable steps and build practical strategies that work.

Catherine earned her master’s degree in special education for Learning Disabilities from American University and her bachelor's degree in Child Psychology from Hollins University.

The Perfect Time to Explore

Even though the school is just starting for some students, many students across the country are well into the new school year. If you feel like your child might need support, this is the perfect time to connect with coaches proactively. That way, if you need to move forward, you can do so quickly. Let us know if you have questions today.

SOCIAL MEDIA!

We’re branching out and moving away from our Facebook Live conversations so we can introduce strategies and routines more frequently. We’re excited to take on your questions across our social media platforms. 

Find us on your favorite platform!

Facebook: @EssigEdu

Instagram: @EssigEdu

Tik Tok: @EssigEducationGroup

Substack: @EssigEducationGroup

Don’t Forget! NEW THIS FALL!!
ABA-Informed Executive Function Coaching

We just launched a new program this year for families seeking ABA-informed EF coaching for middle and high schoolers. Our “Two Sessions a Week, One Unified Plan” approach pairs the practical, goal-driven approach of Executive Function (EF) coaching with the individualized, evidence-based strategies of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). This dual-session model ensures that the skills your child works on aren't just discussed once a week—they're reinforced, practiced, and generalized through a coordinated, ABA-informed follow-up. Check out our website for more or schedule a time to talk!

EF IN ACTION!


Drop Zones…seriously! Check out our social media for more information, but Drop Zones are a quick and easy way to introduce organization and order into the after school hours! 

Notetaking software

If you have a college student or you’re a professional, it’s never too late to look into note-taking software. Two of our favorites are Genio and Notability. These two programs allow you to record meetings, take notes that are tied to the recording, use built-in symbols for questions and important information, and create study materials, if needed. Many colleges offer free Genio subscriptions as a note-taking accommodation, but Notability is, well, notably affordable at just $16 per year. You can try out the free versions of both programs to decide which works best for you. Our coaches can also help with tutorials and recommendations for how to best use this technology. 

Reading and Writing

Continuing the technological theme, don’t sleep on speech-to-text and text-to-speech. These capabilities are built into most computers and browsers these days so you don’t need an expensive program or subscription to access these options. If you’d like more information, let us know.

NORTHERN VIRGINIA AND DC CHADD EVENTS

We are so proud to support the Northern Virginia and DC chapter of CHADD (Children and Adults with ADHD). They have some amazing events coming up this fall, including an online speaker on November 6 and a resource fair on October 24 at the Sycamore School in Arlington. If you're interested in all the free resources and supports available through this wonderful organization, more information will be available in our newsletter and on their website.

This time of year is difficult for students with ADHD…and their parents. Reacclimating to school year routines is often accompanied by frustration and big feelings for students and their families in the flurry of constant reminders, repetitive instructions, and executive functioning chaos. This article is an amazing resource that supports parents with self-regulating skills so that they can regulate themselves before trying to regulate their child(ren) with ADHD.

Setting Up Systems That Actually Stick



Every September brings that familiar, hopeful feeling. Fresh backpacks, pristine color-coded folders, and brand-new planners waiting to be filled with great intentions. It is an inspiring time filled with optimism that this school year will run smoothly—where assignments are completed without conflict, morning routines are seamless, and papers stay organized instead of disappearing into the abyss of a school bag. How can we create systems that are effective AND sustainable? We have a few ideas for you!