Understanding Executive Function Skills in the Brain

Have you heard of Executive Function? After my kids were diagnosed with ADHD I started my research. I wanted to learn all that I could about ADHD and find helpful resources.

During my research I discovered information on Executive Function – a set of skills and processes in our brain (prefrontal cortex) that help us plan, prioritize, start tasks, manage emotions, and make decisions.

What is Executive Function?

Depending on which resource you are using there are slight differences in how the experts identify and define executive function skills.

My favorite resource is the book, Smart but Scattered: The Revolutionary “Executive Skills” Approach to Helping Kids Reach Their Potential, by Peg Dawson and Richard Guare. This is a very helpful book with self-assessments and practical advice.

But every time I read a book written by researchers I still ask myself, “How do I use this information in everyday life with my kids?”

How to See Executive Function Skills in Your Kids

My goal with this page (and this entire web site) is to share with you my parenting perspective on HOW to use ADHD and Executive Function research/advice in real life.

Keep scrolling to read about my methods for:

  • “seeing” Executive Function in action in kids,
  • noticing Executive Function weaknesses,
  • noticing Executive Function strengths,
  • finding daily opportunities to help kids practice Executive Function skills,
  • and practical solutions for blending this practice into your child’s regular activities.

Resources for Parents of ADHD Kids

You will find Printables on this web site and packets for sale in my Shop. These items are mostly for the parents and caregivers. I do not want kids with ADHD filling out more worksheets and staring at pieces of paper.

I want ADULTS finding creative ways to boost the child’s confidence. Let’s create effective routines for learning, studying, and daily routines with hands-on strategies. Let’s begin!

Task Initiation

Have you seen a kid stare a their homework and do nothing? You think to yourself, “The homework assignment is easy. It won’t take them that long. What don’t they just do their homework?!”

Well, the problem could be with Task Initiation. If the task (homework) is non-preferred (not interesting) then the act of STARTING the homework (task initiation) could feel like an insurmountable obstacle to the kid.

Instead of prodding a kid to go through the task as it was assigned, brainstorm how you can change-up the task to make it a little bit easier (and maybe more fun!).

task initiation: the ability to begin projects without undue procrastination, in an efficient and timely fashion
Task Initiation for Kids with ADHD. 1 Ask the kid if they understood the instructions. 2 Encourage the kid to tell you if part of the task is still confusing to them. 3 Ask the kid what support they need fro you to begin the task. Offer to modify how the task can be done so it doesn't feel overly complicated for the kid.
task initiation can be difficult for kids with ADHD

Working Memory

Our brains can only hold onto a few pieces of information at one time. If a child is doing a chore at home or trying to studying then are “holding” information in the front of their mind at the SAME TIME they are trying to USE the information. This can feel awkward and the child can forget what they were doing and maybe give up and abandon the task. The next time you see your child being forgetful instead of asking, “Why aren’t you doing your work?” and try some of these ideas.

Working memory. the ability to hold information in memory while performing complex tasks incorporates the ability to draw on past learning or experience to apply to the situation at hand or to project into the future
How to see working memory in kids with ADHD. 1 In what situation is it difficult for the child to remember the steps of a task? 2 How many steps of a process can the child complete before they forget what to do next? 3 Is the child aware that they forgot to finish a task or did you have to tell them? 4 In what situation is it easy for the child to remember the steps to complete a task?
Working memory practice for kids with ADHD. Ask the kid to tell you what steps they know to do to complete the task. Ask how they want to be reminded (verbal, paper list, reminders in the phone, etc.). Ask how often you should check in on them to make sure they stay on task.
Example of working memory practice for kids with ADHD. I know that my toys go in the closet and my backpack goes on the wall hook. But sometimes I forget. Can you make a list and tape it to the wall to remind me where to put everything away? I don't want you to remind me. Just check my room in a hour. And let me know 5 minutes before you are going to check.
Example of working memory practice for kids with ADHD. I know I have to read the chapter in the book and answer questions on the worksheet. But I forget the words after I read them. Have the child read the worksheet and circle the key words. Then when the read have them use sticky notes to mark those same words. The child might ask for the grown-up to sit next to them as they do the homework.
Summary of working memory practice for kids with ADHD. We are teaching the child to be self-aware of what information they can hold in their working memory. We are empowering the child to be independent and create their own strategies. We are demonstrating that we support and trust them by helping and not taking over the task.

Planning

Planning a multi-step process is part of out daily lives. Something as simple as getting yourself breakfast or getting dressed involves planning your steps in advance of doing them. Use these ideas as a starting point and brainstorm which everyday situations you can set up as Planning practice for your child (without it feeling like actual practice or work). Once kids repeatedly work through a planning process for fun activities (like biking to a friend’s house) then those planning skills can translate to other areas of their life (creating a project for school).

planning and prioritization. the ability to create a roadmap to reach a goal or to complete a task. it also involves being able to make decisions about what's important to focus on and what's not important.
Kids with ADHD can practice planning skills. Biking to a friend's house uses planning skills like looking for cars and remembering the route. Top left image of a kid on a bike. Arrow moves to the right. Image of street signs. Arrow moves down. Image of a car and a crosswalk sign. Arrow moves to the left. Image of a house.
How to teach planning skills to kids with ADHD. 1 Piggyback off one of their ideas. "I want to build a fort!" 2 Ask them what ingredients or pieces they need to gather for their task. 3 Ask them in what order they will carry out the steps. 4 If they feel stuck and ask for your help tell them, "I would do it in XYZ order. But that is my preference. You get to decide how you do it for yourself."
Easy planning skills practice for kid with ADHD part 1. Image of a suitcase, backpack, and other travel items. Kids pack their own suitcase for vacation.
Easy planning skills practice for kid with ADHD. part 2. Image of a lunchbox, food containers, and a water bottle. Kids pack their own lunch for camp/school.
Easy planning skills practice for kid with ADHD part 3. Images of a duffel bag, water bottle, basketball, athletic shoe, and towel. Kids pack their own bag for sports practice.

Mental Flexibility

Mental Flexibility is a skill that we can practice throughout our entire lives. Even as an adults I can feel when I’m being inflexible and then I can try to pause and try to adapt. But for kids with ADHD, whose brains are still developing, the act of thinking FLEXIBLY might feel impossible. If we want kids to learn how to use flexible thinking we have to model the process for them and guide them through situations so they can practice. Try using some of these ideas at home.

Mental flexibility. the ability to revise plans in the face of obstacles, setbacks, new information, or mistakes.
Routines for kids with ADHD can create predictability and comfort. Wake up at the same time. Eat the same breakfast. Activity schedule is on the calendar. Shoes and clothes are easy to find. Snacks are in easy to see locations. Families talk often about plans for the day.
How Kids with ADHD can Practice Mental Flexibility. 1 Having a plan or schedule so they know what to expect. 2 Understanding that they can't control every aspect of a situation. 3 Accepting that the plan might change due to forces outside of their control. Talking through how to handle changes and decide what we can do it we can't get our first choice.
3 examples of flexible thinking for adults. I burnt dinner and I feel frustrated and upset. I can order takeout instead. I am writing a report and I can't get the words to flow. I can take a break for 30 minutes and return to writing. I wanted to go for a walk in the morning but it's raining. I can do yoga inside my home.
3 examples of flexible thinking for kids. My room is messy but I don't want to clean it. I will set a timer for 5 minutes, clean, and then take a break. I don't like the food that we have for dinner. I can try one bite of everything. Or I can make my own dinner. Making the presentation on the computer is hard. I can ask the teacher if I can give a speech to the class instead.

More info coming soon on Organization, Time Management, Impulse Control, Sustained Attention, Goal-Directed Persistence, and Metacognition!

Free ADHD Study Tips. Study Tools by Jules. Homework Engineer.

Free ADHD Study Tips

Free ADHD activities and worksheets. Download. Print. Study Tools by Jules. Image of a mom and daughter doing homework together.

Free ADHD Printables

Scroll to Top
Skip to content