I’m so glad you’re here.
Welcome to The Learning Collective . I’m Megan Barnett— Executive Function & ADHD/2e Coach, Educator and Founder of The Learning Collective.
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 become the compassionate, thoughtful, and innovative advocate and teacher I had so desperately needed as a child.
My support style is polyvagal-informed, trauma-informed, and neurodiversity-affirming, grounded in neuroscience, cognitive diversity, family/child psychology, and ADHD studies. I specialize in supporting students with ADHD and also work with students across a range of neurodivergences, including those who are autistic, twice-exceptional (2e), or gifted, as well as those with dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and/or who experience OCD, anxiety, perfectionism, and high sensitivity.
What sets my approach apart from mainstream tutors or coaches is that I look at the whole student—their psychological diagnoses, executive function strengths and challenges, environmental factors, family life, nutrition, nervous system regulation needs, activity level, and social integration—and design a personalized learning and support plan based on those unique needs.
From my experience, real change takes time, consistency, and a collective approach—bringing together all key players in a child’s life, including parents, therapists, and teachers. In my practice, I recommend a 12-week program with weekly student executive function support sessions (extendable through the school year if needed) and at least four parent support meetings.
Ultimately, my intention is to create a steady foundation of safety and resources—listening deeply, without rushing or forcing—to help students notice the patterns in their nervous system and guide parents in understanding what truly supports their child. Together, we uncover strategies and learning environments that honor the student’s unique brain and strengths, paving the way for a joyful, confident, and successful life.
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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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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Level 1 Dyslexia Remediation Trained from the Dyslexia Training Institute
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Completed a training workshop taught by Dr. Eli Lebowitz of the Yale Child Study Center in the methodology of SPACE treatment (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions).
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ADDCA is a global leader and pioneer in the specialty arena of ADHD Coach Training and Education. ADDCA is the first and largest comprehensive ADHD Coach Training Program.
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Studied with Parent Coach Cindy Goldrich (8 Keys to Parenting Children with ADHD) to guide parents in supporting their child’s Executive Function skills, encouraging independence, resilience, and self-regulation.
