What Is Executive Functioning? A Parent's Guide
Have you ever looked at your child and thought:
"Why do they keep forgetting things?"
"They know how to do the work, so why isn't it getting done?"
"Why can't they stay organized?"
For many students, the answer may involve executive functioning skills.
Executive functioning refers to the mental processes that help us plan, organize, prioritize, manage time, regulate emotions, and complete tasks. These skills act as the brain's management system, helping us navigate daily responsibilities at school, home, and work.
When executive functioning skills are weak, students often appear unmotivated, careless, forgetful, or disorganized—even when they are intelligent and capable.
What Are Executive Functioning Skills?
Executive functioning includes several important skills:
Organization
The ability to keep track of materials, assignments, and responsibilities.
Time Management
Understanding how long tasks will take and planning accordingly.
Task Initiation
Getting started on assignments without excessive procrastination.
Working Memory
Holding information in mind while completing a task.
Planning and Prioritizing
Breaking large tasks into manageable steps and determining what should be completed first.
Self-Monitoring
Recognizing mistakes and adjusting behavior when needed.
Emotional Regulation
Managing frustration, disappointment, and stress appropriately.
What Executive Functioning Challenges May Look Like
Students with executive functioning difficulties may:
Lose papers, folders, or school supplies
Forget to turn in completed assignments
Struggle to begin tasks independently
Have messy backpacks or workspaces
Miss deadlines
Frequently underestimate how long work will take
Become overwhelmed by multi-step assignments
Need repeated reminders
Have emotional outbursts when tasks become difficult
Many parents describe these students as:
"Very smart, but struggling."
Who Experiences Executive Functioning Challenges?
Executive functioning difficulties are commonly seen in students with:
ADHD
Autism
Learning disabilities
Anxiety
Other neurological or developmental differences
However, any student can struggle with executive functioning skills.
How Parents Can Help
The good news is that executive functioning skills can be taught and supported.
Helpful strategies include:
Using visual schedules
Creating checklists
Breaking assignments into smaller steps
Establishing routines
Using planners and calendars
Providing organizational systems
Teaching time management strategies
Using reminders and prompts appropriately
The goal is not to do the work for students but to help them build the skills needed for independence.
Free Executive Functioning Resources
Harborstone Educational Services offers free tools to help families support executive functioning at home, including:
Executive Functioning Checklist
Executive Functioning Daily Planner
Homework & Missing Assignments Tracker
Visual Planning Supports
👉 Visit our Free Resources page to download these tools.
Need Additional Support?
If your child struggles with organization, time management, work completion, or other executive functioning skills, Harborstone Educational Services can help.
Whether you're seeking accommodations, school supports, or practical strategies for home, we can help you create a plan that meets your child's unique needs.
At Harborstone Educational Services, we believe every student can succeed when provided with the right supports, strategies, and opportunities to build independence.