Testimonials

"Many bright teens and young adults are referred to my practice because of difficulties setting priorities, managing time and keeping up with assigned academic tasks. Their challenges may be associated with a variety of different conditions: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, anxiety disorders, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, specific learning disabilities, working memory deficits, processing speed delays and the effects of technology on cognitive performance. The impacts of their executive function deficits can be devastating. Kids who struggle to jump through the hoops necessary for academic credentials are denied the opportunity to live out their potential and pursue their dreams. In addition to the shame and devastating impacts on self-confidence associated with academic underachievement, family relationships are disrupted. Parents become homework monitors. Constant nagging and reminders are toxic to the relationships moms and dads have with their children.

Mary’s services have been invaluable to my patients and their families. She is most helpful by enabling parents to be parents to step away from their child’s day-to-day academic struggles to focus on providing guidance, encouragement, support and age-appropriate independence. She gives kids the tools and strategies they need to compensate for their weaknesses in academic settings and grow in self-confidence. She has been especially helpful in helping kids navigate the transition to college environments where the structure they depended upon for success in high school is nonexistent. She offers a service licensed mental health professionals are ill-equipped to provide. 

On a personal note, someone I love will be walking across a stage and collecting her college diploma in the near future in no small part as a result of the assistance and support she has received from Mary. I can’t recommend her services enough."

"Mary was our son’s academic coach for several years spanning high school and college.  She suggested and helped him implement successful educational strategies that were tailored to his needs. She helped him budget his time, prioritize assignments, organize materials, seek out available resources and meet deadlines. She prompted him to make and complete “To Do” lists for both academic and non-academic tasks. She helped him navigate academic and other issues (such as course registration) with faculty and administrators. She flagged concerns about his mental and physical health for us during his college years, and was always there to support our family.  Sophomore year in college, our son was diagnosed with narcolepsy. He came home several weeks early that year for treatment and had to drop a required class. Despite this diagnosis and setback, and his executive function challenges, he graduated college in four years. Had it not been for her coaching, we are certain it would have taken longer.

Professionally speaking she is excellent, but it is her kindness, wisdom and dedication that make her truly exceptional. It is hard to articulate the immense positive impact she has made in our son’s life. She encouraged him to have faith in himself when his self-confidence was lacking.  She is just the right blend of coach, cheerleader, counselor and friend."

 "Executive function skills play a pivotal role in our daily life, aiding in various aspects of development and accomplishments. These skills
encompass a range of cognitive abilities, including planning, organizing, prioritizing and self-monitoring.

Our son has ADHD and unfortunately his executive function skills were not
fully developed.  Mary Wirbel has helped our son through the years develop his planning abilities.  He can now break down complex tasks into manageable steps, ensuring efficiency and success.  We have also witnessed how these
skills have empowered our son to excel academically and manage his time more
effectively. 

Moreover, Mary has taught our son how to hone into developing his organizational skills.  This has enabled him to maintain a more tidy workspace and keep track of assignments and deadlines more effectively.  The ability to prioritize tasks has allowed him to make informed decisions and allocate his time and effort wisely. 

Furthermore, his self-monitoring skills have proven invaluable in terms of self-reflection and adjustment, enabling him to recognize his strengths and weaknesses, seek help when needed, and persevere through challenges.

Overall, executive function skills development has been undoubtedly instrumental in fostering our son's growth and facilitating his overall success. We cannot thank Mary Wirbel enough for all of her support and guidance."

"I was first connected with Ms. Wirbel after being diagnosed with severe ADD. At this point in time, I was a recent college dropout who had failed all classes freshman year. I would describe this as the lowest and most difficult time I had ever experienced. I am beyond thankful to have been introduced to Ms Wirbel in time to complete what could easily be described as a complete life turn around. Through weekly meetings, she focused on not only helping me with organizational skills, but ensuring that I would be able to replicate these results once she was no longer there to assist me.  Look four years ahead, and I am now a recent college graduate who was able to complete a Major and a Minor in separate fields, all within four years time. Additionally, I was able to secure multiple internships and leave college with several job offers. To look back at my 18 year old self and see where I am now provides what appears to be a missing link in the story. That missing link was Ms. Wirbel, as she was able to take a kid who couldn't focus for more than 2 minutes and leave with someone who had straight A’s, was fully independent, and all with no attentive medication needed. I fully recommend Ms. Wirbel to all interested."

" Ms. Wirbel had a tremendous impact on my academic career. I started working with Mary in high school and kept working with her all through college, and always looked forward to our meetings. She provided me with strategies and tools to help stay organized and helped me to digest waves of assignments into manageable blocks of time. When I was diagnosed with Narcolepsy, Mary continued to go above and beyond schoolwork. She called to make sure I was awake for classes and exams, helped me schedule naps and doctors’ appointments, and even gave me pep talks when I needed them. Mary worked overtime to ensure I never felt left behind, and with her help I finished college on time and got to walk across the graduation stage with all my friends! Because of Mary, I feel ready for success beyond college, both personally and professionally."

Salvina: “Ever since working with Mary, my daughter's life has done a 180. She started off as a below average student and is now in her third year of college with straight A’s. Her anxiety surrounding school has gone away because she has been able to get back on track and accomplish more things. By having Mary's help to break things into smaller parts and tasks, she has finally had feelings of accomplishment and that she can do it.”

Julia: "Before having Mary as my academic coach, my hope for doing well in college was lost. I was dreading going to class and doing homework.  Mary has taught me organizational skills and planning skills that have helped me tremendously. By just meeting twice a week it changed my life around. She is someone who has held me accountable for my work but always makes sure we have an attainable plan that caters to me best. I always thought school was just not for me but she has changed my outlook on getting an education. Without having her as a coach to guide me through, I would not be where I am today and I am beyond grateful for everything she has helped me accomplish."

Ms. Wirbel and I started meeting right after I graduated high school. Despite having decent grades, I had been struggling with severe procrastination habits caused by anxiety and OCD. My parents and I knew these habits would not be sustainable (or enjoyable) during college.

During our sessions, Mary helps me prioritize tasks and create realistic schedules that help me avoid task paralysis. Although we focus on schoolwork, she has provided the opportunities and skills to improve personal habits as well, such as cleaning and maintaining finances. Our meetings keep me grounded and accountable during otherwise overwhelming times. Mary's compassion and understanding assure that I never feel ashamed of my struggles. Rather, her attentiveness and flexibility ensure that my individual needs are met.

I have now been working with Mary for four years and I am soon expected to graduate with a degree in aerospace engineering - an impossible feat to picture without the help of Ms. Wirbel and Academic Achievement Solutions.