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What the heck are executive functions?

Think of executive functions as your "brain’s management system"—they help you plan, organize, remember things, make decisions, and control impulses. Think of them as the "boss" of your brain, making sure you stay on track, switch tasks when needed, and don’t act on every impulse.

Example: Executive functions

& baking cookies

Baking Ingredients

PLANNING

Gathering the ingredients you need before you start baking the cookies.

Pretty young asian female smile and sitting on counter kitchen room. She using mobile smar

FOCUS

Not walking away from the cookies to doom scroll on Instagram.

Young woman in kitchen near wooden rack with cereal products, jars of food.jpg

MEMORY

Recalling how many cups of flour you used or why you went into the pantry.

Young woman near open refrigerator in kitchen, back view.jpg

FLEXIBILITY

Figuring out a substitue  when you run out of sugar - applesauce works!

Flat lay. Scooping cookie dough with dough scoop into a baking sheet lined with parchment

INHIBITION

The ability to stop yourself from eating all the raw cookie dough.

Technology Class

ADHD: Not just for the kids—Adults Have It Too

ADHD isn’t something you “grow out of.” Research shows that over 60% of children with ADHD continue to experience symptoms into adulthood. In fact, many adults go undiagnosed because ADHD can present differently for children and adults, with symptoms showing up as disorganization, time blindness, and emotional dysregulation rather than hyperactivity.

Breaking down the executive functions

One of the biggest challenges is that most people do not understand the role executive functions play in our daily lives.

Self-Restraint

The ability to think before acting & resist impulsive behaviors.

More to come

Working Memory

Our ability to hold & use information in our minds for a short period.

Emotional Control

The ability to manage emotions & respond appropriately to situations.

More to come

Problem-Solving

The ability to adjust to new situations, rethink plans & find new solutions.

More to come

Attention & Focus

Our ability to concentrate on one thing while ignoring distractions.

More to come

Task Initiation

The ability to start tasks efficiently, even when difficult or uninteresting.

More to come

Plan & Prioritize

Our ability to set goals, make a plan & decide what’s most important.

More to come

Organization

The ability to create order, keep track of belongings, thoughts & tasks.

More to come

Time Management

Our ability to estimate time, plan ahead, & use time wisely.

More to come

Goal Persistence

The ability to stay motivated & push through challenges to reach long-term goals.

More to come

Self-Awareness

The ability to reflect on actions & recognize strengths & weaknesses.

More to come
Image by Scott Webb

Stay In The Know!

The more you know, the more you grow.

We believe that the better you understand how your brain works, the easier it becomes to work with it and succeed!

Coming Soon ADHD 
Resources

Coming Soon
Useful Tools For Students

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ADDitude
Magazine

Website & Print

ADDitude is the most trusted resource for families touched by ADHD and its related conditions, offering advice and information about ADHD symptoms, medication, treatment, diagnosis, parenting and more. App also available

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Smart But Scattered Teens

Peg Dawson

If you're the parent of a "smart but scattered" teen, trying to help him or her grow into a self-sufficient, responsible adult, this positive guide provides a science-based program for promoting teens' independence by building their executive skills.

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What Your ADHD Child Wishes You Knew

Dr. Sharon Saline

In this insightful book, Dr. Saline shares the inner struggles of children and teens living with ADHD—and a blueprint for achieving success by working together, based on more than 25 years of experience counselling youth and their families.

Start Now

James Williams

ADDitude Magazine

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