I’m so glad you’re here.
Welcome to The Learning Collective ATX. I’m Megan Barnett— Executive Function & ADHD/2e Coach, educator, and founder of The Learning Collective ATX.
I began my journey in 2015 as a tutor and homeschool teacher for neurodivergent children in the small surf town of Nosara, Costa Rica. Growing up, I suffered from crippling anxiety, high sensitivity, and perfectionism and always felt helpless in the 21st-century school paradigm. When I moved to Costa Rica, I realized that in my adult life I could be the compassionate, thoughtful, and innovative advocate and teacher that I so desperately needed when I was a child.
My coaching style is based on neuroscience, cognitive diversity, family/child psychology, and ADHD studies. I specialize in working with neurodivergent students, more specifically those that are 2e or have been diagnosed with ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, autism, anxiety, perfectionism, and/or high sensitivity.
What sets my approach apart from mainstream tutors or coaches is that I look at the whole student—psychological diagnoses, executive function strengths and weaknesses, environmental factors, family life, nutrition, exercise/activity level, social integration— and then design a unique coaching plan based on the student’s needs.
From my experience, real change occurs in a student when we integrate the collective—this means involving all players in the child’s life from parents, therapists, and teachers. In my practice, I recommend a fixed 12-week program for executive function coaching (this can be extended for the whole school year if needed) and a minimum of 4 parent support meetings .
It's time to change the narrative around neurodiversity. I am committed to empowering students to embrace their cognitive diversity, moving away from the shame of being “different” and ultimately supporting students in building executive function skills to carry out healthy, happy, and joyful lives.
Credentials
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Masters of Education in Cognitive Diversity from the Bridges Graduate School of Cognitive Diversity in Education, with a focus on 2e and ADHD learners. This graduate degree embraces the philosophy of celebrating human cognitive diversity and the belief that education should be strength-based and talent-focused.
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A graduate of ADDCA—an accredited ADHD & Life Coaching Training Program
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Studied under acclaimed parent coach Cindy Goldrich and completed her Calm & Connected: Parenting Children & Teens with ADHD/Executive Function Challenges© Coaching program.
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International ADHD Coaches Association—promoting ADHD coaches and coaching.
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Level 1 Dyslexia Remediation Certification from the Dyslexia Training Institute
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Trained to recognize cognitive patterns of students with diverse minds (gifted and talented, attention deficit, autism, and specific learning disabilities), understand the importance of identifying, and assessing strengths, talents, and interests and to design learning environments based on theories of strength based, talent focused education.
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Trained by the Yale Child Study Center to provide SPACE treatment (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions)
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SENG Community Groups (formerly SMPG) are in-person or virtual groups for gifted individuals, parents of gifted and twice-exceptional children, or professionals in gifted education. Groups are designed specifically to address some of the unique issues, needs, and challenges faced by diverse gifted communities across the globe. Meetings are run by at least two trained facilitators who will guide you in safe and confidential conversations
