Executive Function Coach Los Altos, CA
The Ladder Method coaches Los Altos students and adults on executive function skills such as organization, time management, planning and follow-through. Our in-person cities are Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Dallas and Austin, so Los Altos families work with their coach by live video. Most clients notice improvements within 4-8 weeks, and no diagnosis is required.
Candice Lapin founded The Ladder Method in Los Angeles in 2008. Our coaches work with students from elementary school through university, plus adults, and about 70% of our clients are neurodivergent.
Los Altos Coaching at a Glance
Who it's for: students from elementary school through university, plus adults
Format: live video sessions with a designated coach, backed by our Student Success team
Schedule: weekly sessions, with frequency and length set by your assessment
Assessment: the first 3 sessions work as a continuous assessment
First changes: most clients notice improvements within 4-8 weeks
Recommended commitment: at least 2-3 months; students who complete 2 full semesters make the largest, longest-lasting gains
Diagnosis: not required
Neurodivergent clients: about 70%
How Coaching Works at The Ladder Method
Every client follows the same 5 steps, and a team tracks the work alongside the coach.
A client services enrollment specialist talks with you by phone to learn what your family needs.
An evaluation mentor meets your student and your family to dig into those needs.
Our assessment team and Student Success department build a plan based on our method.
Weekly sessions put the plan into action. The assessment sets how often and how long you meet.
Your coach and the Student Success team review progress on a regular schedule and adjust the plan.
All of our coaches complete specialized training in our proprietary framework, and most hold master's degrees or teaching credentials in education, psychology or a related field. Team-based supervision covers ongoing professional development and quality control.
Our method covers 7 focus areas: time management, task prioritization, organization and planning, memory retention, study and note-taking methods, self-motivation and focus training, and goal setting with accountability.
What Changes and When
Most clients notice improvements within 4-8 weeks of consistent coaching. Lasting habits take longer: we recommend at least 2-3 months, and students who completed 2 full semesters made the largest and longest-lasting gains.
Weeks 1-3: your coach learns your student's strengths, challenges, learning style and goals, and the first strategies start.
Week 4: clients often feel more organized and less anxious about deadlines. Homework becomes less of a struggle for students, and adults get systems for competing priorities.
Weeks 6-8: parents may see more initiative with schoolwork, and colleagues may see better follow-through from adult clients. Clients often report growing confidence and self-reliance.
2 full semesters: the point where our tracking shows the largest, longest-lasting gains.
Results From Our 2024-25 Tracking
We track every student from before the first session, through 18 months of coaching and after the program ends. Our 2024-25 results cover students from 4th grade through university who completed at least 2 semesters of coaching:
Average GPA rose from 2.65 to 3.82.
For students in academic distress, with a GPA below 3.0, GPA rose from 2.18 to 3.68.
These results aren't a guarantee. See our full 2024-25 results.
Los Altos Schools and Where Coaching Fits
The Los Altos School District runs public elementary and junior high schools in Los Altos, including Blach and Egan, and Los Altos High is part of the Mountain View Los Altos High School District (MVLA). MVLA runs classes on Canvas, and parents can sign up for a Canvas observer account to follow their student's courses.
Junior high is usually the first time students track separate deadlines from a different teacher in each subject. Our tips for the move out of elementary school cover planners, routines and downtime for that shift.
Coaching doesn't replace mental-health care. In MVLA's 2025 California Healthy Kids Survey, reported by the Mountain View Voice, 21% of the 3,531 students who responded reported chronic sadness or hopelessness, down from 35% in 2021, and 79% knew where to go for help. MVLA has school-based therapists. Our coaching builds skills rather than treating diagnoses, so it works alongside that support. If your student is in crisis, call or text 988.
How to Check an Executive Function Coach's Credentials
No U.S. license exists for ADHD or executive function coaches, so anyone can use the title. In a 2026 JAMA Network Open study of 481 ADHD coaches, 85% held no professional license and 62.5% had completed an ADHD coach-led training curriculum. Ask any coach these 4 questions, and hold us to them too.
4 questions to ask any coach
What training did you complete, and how long was it?
The ADHD Coaches Organization's standard is a full ADHD coach training program, or at least 60 hours of ICF-compliant coach training plus at least 35 hours of ADHD-specific training. Our answer: every coach completes specialized training in our proprietary framework, and most hold master's degrees or teaching credentials.Who reviews your work?
In the same study, 90.5% of coaches had no formal clinical supervision. We use team-based supervision, and our Student Success team reviews each client's progress with the coach.How will you measure progress?
Ask for numbers you can check. We track every student from before the first session through 18 months of coaching and after.When do you refer out?
A coach should send you to a therapist or doctor when anxiety, mood or a possible undiagnosed condition is behind the problem.
Credentials you may see include PAAC certification for ADHD coaching, the International Coaching Federation's ACC, PCC and MCC credentials for general coaching, and clinical licenses such as an LMFT or LCSW when a therapist also coaches.
How Coaching Works and How Families Get Started
Ask about our coaching approach on your free discovery call. For comparison, the 2026 JAMA Network Open study examined 481 coaches, offering insight into how executive function coaching services are delivered.
Executive function coaching is generally considered an educational service rather than medical treatment. Families can explore how coaching supports their student's learning needs, and we provide documentation to help track coaching sessions and progress.
Coaching, Tutoring or Therapy: Which One Fits
Executive function coaching teaches how to learn, plan and organize across every subject and area of life. Tutoring focuses on the content of 1 subject. Therapy generally addresses underlying emotional or psychological issues, while coaching gives your student practical strategies for managing tasks. Read how executive function coaching differs from therapy.
Executive Function Coaching for Adults in Los Altos
Our adult program works on organization, time management and planning, plus mindset techniques such as goal-directed perseverance, for people in small businesses, large companies and other organizations. At week 4, adults usually have systems for competing priorities, and by weeks 6-8 colleagues may notice better follow-through. No diagnosis is required. See our adult coaching programs.
Questions Los Altos Parents Ask
Do you meet students in person in Los Altos?
No. Our in-person cities are Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Dallas and Austin, so Los Altos students meet their coach by live video.
Do we need an ADHD diagnosis first?
No. About 70% of our clients are neurodivergent, and anyone who wants to improve organization, time management, focus or productivity can work with a coach.
What happens on the discovery call?
We start with a free consultation to understand your goals, learning style and daily challenges. After that, an evaluation mentor meets your student and your family.
Do you offer tutoring as well?
Yes. The Ladder Method also offers tutoring and other K-12 services, including ISEE, ERB, HSPT and SSAT test prep.
How long until we see a difference?
Most clients notice improvements within 4-8 weeks. We recommend at least 2-3 months, and 2 full semesters for the largest, longest-lasting gains.
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