Our Mission

Order Out of Chaos’ mission is to provide hands-on education, virtual programs and coaching to parents and their students through our customized products and classes, so all children – mainstream and neurodivergent – can develop the necessary skills needed to experience success in learning and in life.

Knowing how to help your child develop the skills they need doesn’t come naturally for everyone. Order Out of Chaos is built on the philosophy that the coaching process is a journey that begins and ends with YOU. Our process is organic – it evolves as we figure out TOGETHER what needs changing and what works best for you. The end results are tailor-made to fit your needs. We will focus you and help you, but YOU set the pace and the tone.

What Makes Our Approach Unique?

1

We listen. And ask a lot of questions.

2

We believe you truly need to know about the whole person, their habits, routines, family life, work issues, etc., to be able to zero in on their needs.

3

Working with students can be challenging, so we tap into their unique strengths and gifts to bring out the best in them.

4

We understand that getting started is the hardest part of getting help.

5

Working with a coach is as personal as it gets. We are in your head and learn the most intimate details of your life, so the level of trust has to be there from the beginning.

6

We will never push or make you go any further or faster than you are ready to go. We will treat you and your family with respect, listen to your concerns, and keep your information strictly confidential.

OOOC - Our Story Dotted Line 1-14 copy.png

“It All Started With My Son”

Leslie Josel was organized & time managed long before there was such a profession. She was four years old when her mother became ill, requiring her to take control early on. “I was raised in a disorganized household and was left to fend for myself most of the time. Systems and lists gave me peace of mind in an otherwise uncertain world.”

By the time she attended Cornell University, Leslie had sensed her calling. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies, then became a human resource professional. “Working with individuals to create customized systems and structures that worked was my ‘ah-ha’ moment.”

Leslie launched Order Out of Chaos® in 2004 after her son was diagnosed with ADHD. Soon after she graduated from the JST Coach Training Program for teens and college students with ADHD. In 2012, she expanded her business to include educational products and officially launched Products Designed With Students in Mind.

Leslie is the creator of the award-winning Academic Planner: A Tool for Time Management®. The planners, awarded glowing reviews by numerous media outlets including Family Circle and ADDitude Magazine, is the 2023 National Calendar Gold Award recipient honoring the best planners for children. In 2020, Leslie’s line of student organizing products – a collaboration with Samsill Corp – was released and remains a top Amazon seller.

A respected resource on ADHD and Executive Functioning in students, Leslie has written over 300 Dear ADHD Family Coach® columns for ADDitude Magazine, the premier resource for adults and children with ADHD. Leslie was a contributing parenting writer for Family Circle Magazine. She also speaks and conducts workshops internationally.

“My need to learn everything I can to help students learn the skills they need to be successful in learning and in life – is very personal.”

Leslie is the co-author of the award-winning, The Complete Diabetes Organizer: Your Guide to a Less Stressful and More Manageable Diabetes Life. Her second book, the award-winning What’s the Deal with Teens and Time Management: A Parent’s Guide to Helping Your Teen Succeed, was published by People Tested Media in 2015. Her latest book, the award-winning, How to Do it Now Because it’s Not Going Away: An Expert Guide to Getting Stuff Done (Lerner Publishing), was released to glowing reviews.

Leslie is also a Golden Circle member of the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals (NAPO) and in 2018 was the recipient of their Founders’ Award. Given in the spirit of the original founders, it’s presented to a member whose outstanding contributions have helped advance the organizing and productivity profession.

For the last EIGHT years, Leslie has been named by Global Gurus as one of the top Time Management experts in the world.

In addition to her focus on student issues, Leslie coaches other women entrepreneurs. She presents often at conferences on women’s entrepreneurship and is a member of Cornell University’s prestigious President’s Council of Cornell Women.

Leslie splits her time between Los Angeles, CA and New York City. In her all-too-rare spare time, you can find Leslie hiding out in her car indulging in her favorite treats – entertainment magazines and frozen yogurt.