Your child melts down getting reading in the morning, forgets what they were asked to do five minutes ago, and seems overwhelmed by everyday expectations that others manage more easily. Simple routines can turn into exhausting battles, and by the end of the day everyone is frustrated. If this sounds like a weekly occurrence in your home, your child might not be choosing to struggle. They may simply be missing the internal tools to manage it all. Those tools have a name: executive functioning skills.

As an educator and advocate for neurodivergent children, I've witnessed firsthand the incredible potential within students with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). These students often possess unique strengths such as creativity, hyperfocus on subjects of interest, and a high degree of energy that, when channeled effectively, can lead to remarkable achievements.

After working in educational and clinical psychology for over 30 years, the topic of behavioral challenges in the classroom is near and dear to my heart. Experience has taught me that no simple formula—when a child does X, the teacher should do Y—will address the underlying causes of a child’s behavior in this setting. Instead, I recommend more substantive, thoughtful solutions that can only come from equanimity, regulation, resources, and direct communication. Here are some insights and strategies that I've gathered over the years, specifically for educators.

You've watched your child graduate high school or college. You expected them to start building their own life. Instead, they seem stuck or unmotivated. They're avoiding work, sleeping through the day, and seemingly unable to take steps forward.