AURA: Behind the Acronym
Our executive functioning (EF) skills are a critical set of higher-order cognitive processes that empower us to manage thoughts, emotions, and behaviors effectively. These skills encompass areas like planning, organization, time management, and emotional regulation. When it comes to teens, deficits in EF can manifest as academic struggles, difficulty staying organized, and emotional dysregulation. At AURA executive functions coaching offers a comprehensive framework to support adolescent development by developing a healthy foundation of life to build on these vital skills.
AURA is an acronym that captures the program's core components:
Awareness: This initial stage fosters metacognition, which refers to an individual's awareness and understanding of their own cognitive processes. Adolescents learn to identify their strengths and weaknesses in key EF domains. This can include self-assessment exercises in areas like planning, organization, time management, and emotional regulation.
Understanding: Moving beyond mere awareness, this stage delves into self-discovery. Adolescents explore their interests, values, and aspirations through activities like personality assessments, interest inventories, and individual coaching. This self-discovery fosters intrinsic motivation, as adolescents connect the development of strong EF skills to achieving their personal goals.
Responsibility: A fundamental tenet of EF development is self-regulation. AURA fosters an environment where adolescents learn to take ownership of their learning and behavior. They are encouraged to shed blame and embrace responsibility for creating a future that aligns with their aspirations.
Action: Knowledge acquisition is only the first step. This stage equips adolescents with practical tools and strategies for implementing their learning. AURA provides training in habit formation, teaching adolescents how to use planners, calendars, and other organizational tools to effectively manage their time and tasks.
AURA's Impact on EF Development
Each AURA stage directly targets specific EF domains:
Awareness: Improves metacognition by fostering self-awareness of EF strengths and weaknesses.
Understanding: Strengthens goal setting by establishing a clear vision for the future that motivates EF development.
Responsibility: Enhances decision-making by fostering accountability for actions and choices in pursuit of goals.
Action: Develops organizational skills and time management through practical habit building and application of strategies.
Without a solid foundation in a strong sense of self, our executive functions aren’t given what they need to aim at. Instead, we exist in a more reactionary manner, and find ourselves angered by or victim to the things we need to do. AURA can help! Reach out to find out more about how AURA can help your teen get line up life and set it on an exciting track for success.
~Paul M. Benton