When Tia first learned about ISBA’s Executive Functioning Coaching Program from ISBA outreach staff at her son’s medical appointment, she wasn’t sure what to expect. Ethan, her eleven-year-old son, was struggling daily; quickly overwhelmed by big emotions, unable to express them, and often dependent on her to solve problems that felt too hard. Like many children and adults with spina bifida, Ethan needed support with executive functioning, the set of mental skills that help us manage emotions, stay organized, make decisions, and handle everyday challenges. ISBA’s coaching program -- free, customized for people with spina bifida, and offered via Zoom to Illinois residents over age ten -- became a lifeline.
Ethan and Tia
Executive functioning (EF) coaching at ISBA helps individuals learn practical tools for emotional regulation, planning, organization, and independent problem-solving. With ISBA’s coach Kara Marriott, sessions are customized for each participant’s learning style, strengths, and challenges. For Ethan, that meant breaking skills into simple, meaningful strategies he could use in real time. Tia describes the sessions as “catered specifically to my son’s needs,” keeping him engaged and helping him practice emotional regulation in ways that finally made sense.
Slowly, Ethan moved from “zero to ten” outbursts to moments where he paused, breathed, and used the techniques he learned. The first time he got upset, calmed himself, and returned with an apology and an explanation, Tia knew something had changed: “Before, he would’ve had a ten-minute tantrum and been completely unapproachable.”
Today, Ethan proudly tells his mom, “I’m a big boy. I can do it!” He tackles homework by “using his own brain,” remembers the lists Kara teaches him, and recognizes what frustration feels like in his body before it takes over. The calm that has returned to their home has changed life not just for Ethan, but for their entire family. And for Tia, who once worried whether coaching would even help, her advice to other parents is simple: “Just try it. It has been so worth it.”
“The point of coaching is for participants to better understand how their brains work and how they can use coaching strategies to make improvements in everyday life. ”
As Tia said, “Families that may not be able to pay for this type of coaching shouldn’t have to worry about how to give their children the tools they need to succeed.”
For many people with spina bifida, executive functioning is the difference between having a developmental disability or a physical disability.
This Giving Tuesday, you can make this transformation possible for more families.
ISBA offers this coaching at no cost to Illinois residents with spina bifida, ensuring that children, teens, and adults don’t miss out on tools that support independence, confidence, and emotional well-being simply because their families can’t afford it.
Your gift directly funds:
One-on-one Zoom coaching sessions for youth and adults
Individualized strategies for emotional regulation
Tools for organization, planning, and independence
Support that strengthens entire families
This Giving Tuesday, please give the gift of confidence, calm, and independence.