When middle school students begin to struggle with large workloads, miss deadlines, or lose momentum on long-term assignments, teachers often see this as a motivational or behavioral issue. But these are often signs of a deeper challenge: executive functioning deficits in planning skills. Understanding the connection between executive function challenges and student behaviors is essential […]

One of the most common challenges elementary teachers face is figuring out how to improve student organization—especially in grades 1 through 4. From messy desks and overflowing backpacks to scattered thoughts during writing assignments, disorganized students often struggle in multiple areas of learning. But these behaviors are more than just typical forgetfulness; they often point […]

If you’ve ever had a student miss a deadline, cram for a test at the last minute, or freeze up when assigned a long-term project, you’ve seen what it looks like when students struggle to plan. These aren’t isolated incidents of laziness or lack of motivation—they’re often signs of an executive function skill deficit in […]

In middle school classrooms, many teachers encounter students who struggle with self-regulation. Some students have a hard time staying calm when expected, others blurt out inappropriate comments, and some don’t recognize when they need to stop a certain behavior. These challenges are often indicators of an executive function deficit, particularly in the area of self-control. […]