Are We Telling the Wrong Story? Executive Functioning in Autistic & ADHD Children

Are they really refusing—or are we expecting their brain to do something it can't reliably access in that moment?

Executive functioning differences can look like laziness, carelessness, defiance, lack of motivation, "not listening," forgotten homework, unfinished assignments, meltdowns, or complete shutdown after school.

But those "behaviors" may be telling us a very different story.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why "try harder" often misses the real problem How working memory affects classroom performance Why multi-step verbal instructions can fall apart Why kids may complete assignments but never turn them in Why some neurodivergent kids are completely depleted after school How visual directions, checklists, chunking, routines, and external supports can help Why accommodations are about access—not special treatment Helpful ways to think about support in IEP and 504 meetings The goal isn't to make neurodivergent kids try harder.

It's to give their brain what it needs.

🎒 Need school accommodation ideas?

You'll love the 135 School Accommodations for Autistic & ADHD Students Guide! The guide includes practical, neurodiversity-affirming supports for executive functioning, academics, sensory needs, emotional regulation, social support, self-advocacy, and more, with examples of each accommodation.

Parents, click here for the Guide

Therapists, click here for the Guide

Join me in my Facebook Groups!

➡️ Parents click here