Inhibitory Control and the Teenage Brain: A Survival Guide Whenever I start working with a student with inhibitory control challenges, I focus on building trust. I show them that I can be patient, understanding, and flexible. They don’t have to lie. It takes some time, and students are skeptical at first. However, trust is so…
Improving Study Skills for ADHD: Proven Strategies & Tips Before we really dive into study skills for ADHD, I want to share a story about Cory. Cory was very gifted and flew through high school not really needing to study. He took a helpful prep course for ACT and College essays and got into a…
The Definition of Executive Functions: Your Brain’s Mission Control Explained Okay, so people in my field like to say the definition of executive function is the mission control center of our brain. However, when I hear that, I can’t help but palm my face. The simple analogy makes the idea of having an executive function…
Deficit in Executive Functioning: Understand Impacts & How to Improve Struggling with deficits in executive functioning profoundly impacts our daily lives, extending far beyond mere time management or organizational issues. These challenges encompass everything from regulating emotions to making decisions, permeating every facet of our day to day. Whether at work, in school, or within…
Problem Solving Skills: Can an EF Coach Help You Develop Them? One of the most common requests I get from parents is “Can you please teach my child some problem solving skills?” It must be bizarre. Asking an executive functions coach that focuses on structure to teach such an abstract concept. However, exploring problem solving…
Don’t Let Executive Function Issues Hold You Back – Consider Executive Function Coaching How do you know if you have a problem with executive functions? Ever feel like your to-do list is a labyrinth, with each task a daunting puzzle to solve? Or perhaps you find yourself perpetually late, despite your best intentions? Welcome to…
Predominately Inattentive ADHD: An Overlooked Diagnosis Did you know predominantly inattentive ADHD is commonly overlooked? Children with hyperactive and impulsive behavior tend to draw more attention, prompting parents to seek assessments. However, children with the inattentive ADHD type are characterized as shy, quiet, and forgetful. Picture a teacher telling a parent, “Hi mom, Sally is…
A Short Story About Goal Setting Smart Let me share a short story about goal setting smart. Sean, a former student, faced unique circumstances that hindered his executive functioning skills. Arriving in the US at the age of 8, he moved in with an uncle he had only met twice. Previously, he had lived with…
A Story About Self-Regulation The key to self-regulation is controlling our breath and finding a distraction. However, how breathing is incorporated into your strategy for self-regulation varies based on each individual. Let me give you an example of one of my students Bella. Bella went to a very competitive college, one of the top colleges…
How to Improve Executive Functions and Boost Your Brainpower Did someone you trust mention executive functions and now you entered an internet rabbit hole on how to improve executive functions? Maybe, this started because you feel like you’re in a mental rut, struggling to break free from a cycle of lethargy, anxiety, or frustration. It’s…
Exploring ADHD and Executive Dysfunction Understanding ADHD executive dysfunction is crucial for navigating the challenges faced by individuals with ADHD. Executive dysfunction refers to difficulties in processes that govern one’s ability to manage tasks, organize information, and regulate behavior effectively. For those with ADHD, executive dysfunction can manifest in various ways, impacting daily functioning and…
Recognizing the Pitfalls of Toxic Productivity In today’s fast-paced world, the pressure to constantly be productive can lead to a phenomenon known as “toxic productivity.” This form of workaholism goes beyond simply being productive; it involves pushing oneself to the brink of exhaustion and sacrificing well-being in the pursuit of success. Examples of toxic culture…