By: Kristen Simon, M.Ed, Ed.S
Transition Specialist; Psychoeducational Counselor
Summer break offers more than just a pause from school—it can be an opportunity for personal growth. With fewer academic pressures and a more flexible schedule, teens can use this time to build self-determination skills. Self-determination is a foundational skill that includes the ability to make choices, set goals, and advocate for oneself. Improving on these skills can mean the difference between total overwhelm and having the confidence to steer your own path.
Many teens come to coaching with vague goals in mind but have little practice in breaking their goals down and following through with planned steps. For some adolescents, using the SMART framework (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-Bound) helps them to set clear and realistic goals. For others, this framework can feel like too much pressure (e.g., leaves lots of room for “failure”). If the SMART goal framework is too constricting, the following supports may be helpful:
- Build flexible systems: create routines and timelines that can flex with your energy and focus levels
- Develop multiple lines of success (e.g., if your goal is to scroll on your phone less, you can track 1 hour less, 3 hours less, or 10 minutes less as tiers of success)
- Use external scaffolding: body doubling, accountability partners, coaches, or scheduled time in a separate environment
- Allow for play and novelty: Make sure your goals excite you; be sure to add fun reinforcers
- Make them short term (e.g., seasonal or monthly)
Learning the best strategies to help adolescents plan for and stick to a goal is a great use of time over the summer.
NESCA offers coaching services for students who are looking to bolster their organization, scheduling, time management, goal setting, and routine building skills. Students work 1-on-1 with occupational therapists and education specialists to identify specific skills that will help them be more organized and in control of their academic and general life tasks. If you would like to explore ways to support your student in building executive function or real-life skills, please complete our online Intake Form.
About the Author
Kristen Simon, M.Ed, Ed.S, has worked with transition-aged youth as a licensed School Psychologist for more than a decade. She has
extensive experience working with children and adolescents with a range of learning and social/emotional abilities. Kristen’s strengths lie in her communication and advocacy skills as well as her strengths-based approach. She is passionate about developing students’ self-awareness, goal-setting abilities, and vision through student-centered counseling, psychoeducation, social skills instruction, and executive functioning coaching. Mrs. Simon has particular interests working with children and adolescents on the Autism spectrum as well as individuals working to manage stress or anxiety-related challenges.
Mrs. Simon is an expert evaluator and observer who has extensive working knowledge of the special education process and school-based special education services, particularly in Massachusetts. She has been an integral part of hundreds of IEP teams and has helped to coordinate care, develop goals, and guide students and their families through the transition planning process. Mrs. Simon further has special expertise helping students to learn about their diagnoses and testing and the IEP process in general. She enjoys assisting students, families, and educators in understanding a student’s disability-related needs as well as the strategies that can help the student to be successful in both academic and nonacademic settings. Mrs. Simon has often been a part of teams in the years when students are initially participating in transition services, and she has helped countless students to build the skills necessary to be part of their first team meetings. She is committed to teaching students—as well as parents and educators—how to participate in student-centered team meetings and the IEP processes.
At NESCA, Mrs. Simon works as a transition specialist and psychoeducational counselor. She works with adolescents, their families, and their school communities to identify and build the skills necessary to achieve their postsecondary goals. Mrs. Simon provides transition assessment (including testing, functional evaluations, and observations), program observations and evaluations, case management and consultation, and individualized counseling and skills coaching.
To schedule an appointment with one of NESCA’s transition specialists, please complete our online intake form.
NESCA is a pediatric neuropsychology practice and integrative treatment center with offices in Newton, Plainville, and Hingham, Massachusetts; Londonderry, New Hampshire; the greater Burlington, Vermont region; and Brooklyn, New York (coaching services only) serving clients from infancy through young adulthood and their families. For more information, please email info@nesca-newton.com or call 617-658-9800.
