Estimated reading time: 10 minutes If your child seems distracted, disorganized, or easily overwhelmed, the missing piece might not be motivation—it might be executive functioning. In this guide, we’ll unpack how executive functioning develops, what happens when it’s dysregulated, and practical, hope-filled steps to build these skills at home and in the classroom. Key Takeaways Executive functioning is regulation in

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes Do daily routines, homework, and transitions feel like a tug-of-war? This guide shows you how to calm the brain and build the executive skills your autistic child needs. If your child’s behavior feels out of control lately, you’re not alone. When the nervous system is dysregulated, behavior is communication, not defiance. In this guide, I’ll

Does your child melt down when plans change or homework instructions shift? You’re not alone. The good news? This guide will show you practical, science-backed cognitive shifting exercises that calm the brain and build real-world flexibility. As a mom and a psychologist, I see every day how cognitive shifting is our brain’s ability to switch gears. This skill underpins emotional

When kids struggle with focus, meltdowns, and follow-through, teaching executive functioning skills—not pushing harder—is what changes everything. If your child’s mornings feel like a tornado of reminders, tears, and lost homework, you’re not alone. In one Ridgefield family, 10-year-old Sarah “stalled” at every step—teeth, clothes, breakfast, backpack. Once we calmed her nervous system first and added simple visuals, the chaos

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes Every parent knows the frustration—forgotten homework, unfinished tasks, constant reminders. But here’s the truth: it’s not defiance, it’s a dysregulated brain asking for help. Executive thinking skills—focus, planning, organization, and emotional control—are the brain’s management system. In this article, we’ll explore what’s really going on inside your child’s brain and share five calm, science-backed ways