Executive Functioning and ADHD: What Parents Need to Know

Monarch
Oct 22
6 min read

When parents hear the term executive functioning, it can sound intimidating—like something out of a corporate boardroom. But in reality, executive functioning describes a set of mental skills we all use every day to get things done. These skills help us plan, organize, remember, and control our behavior. For kids with ADHD, executive functioning challenges are often at the heart of their struggles with schoolwork, routines, and daily life. Understanding how executive functioning works—and how ADHD affects it—can help you better support your child and advocate for their needs.

This post will explain:

What executive functioning is
How executive functioning develops in children
The relationship between executive functioning and ADHD
Signs your child might have executive functioning challenges
Strategies parents can use at home and at school

What Is Executive Functioning?

Executive functioning is often described as the brain’s “air traffic control system.” Just as air traffic controllers coordinate planes so they don’t collide, executive functions coordinate mental processes so we can focus, make decisions, and reach goals.

These skills include:

Working memory – holding and manipulating information in your mind (like remembering multi-step directions).
Inhibitory control (self-control) – resisting impulses, staying focused, and thinking before acting.
Cognitive flexibility – shifting between tasks, adjusting to changes, or seeing problems from different perspectives.
Planning and organization – setting goals, making plans, and keeping track of materials.
Task initiation – starting tasks without excessive procrastination.
Sustained attention – staying focused long enough to complete work.
Time management – estimating how long tasks will take and meeting deadlines.
Emotional regulation – managing big feelings so they don’t derail thinking or behavior.
Goal-directed persistence – sticking with a task, even when it’s hard or boring.

In short, executive functioning skills are the tools that help children turn intentions into actions.

How Executive Functioning Develops in Children

Executive functioning doesn’t fully develop overnight—it grows gradually as the brain matures, particularly in the prefrontal cortex, which continues developing into early adulthood.

Preschool years: Early signs include waiting turns, following simple instructions, and shifting between play activities.
Elementary school: Kids begin using working memory, following multi-step directions, and controlling impulses more consistently. They start learning how to plan small tasks like homework.
Middle and high school: Stronger executive functioning is needed for juggling multiple classes, long-term projects, and increasing independence.
Adulthood: Skills like goal-setting, prioritizing, and time management become crucial for work and daily responsibilities.

For children with ADHD, this developmental trajectory often looks different. Many experts describe ADHD as a delay in the development of executive functioning, meaning kids may struggle with these skills more than their peers.

ADHD and Executive Functioning: What’s the Connection?

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is often thought of as a disorder of attention, but researchers increasingly view it as a disorder of executive functioning. Children with ADHD typically have difficulties in several executive functioning areas, which explains many of the daily challenges parents and teachers notice.

Here’s how ADHD symptoms connect to executive functioning:

Inattention → Difficulty with sustained attention, working memory, and organization.
Hyperactivity → Trouble with impulse control and self-regulation.
Impulsivity → Challenges with inhibitory control and thinking before acting.

Examples in Real Life

A child with ADHD may know they need to do homework (planning) but can’t get started (task initiation).
They may leave their backpack at school (organization) or forget what the teacher just said (working memory).
They may blurt out answers (inhibitory control) or get frustrated and give up when a task is hard (emotional regulation).

These aren’t signs of laziness or lack of effort—they’re indicators that executive functioning skills need more support.

Signs of Executive Functioning Challenges in Kids with ADHD

While every child is different, here are common red flags parents may notice:

At home:
- Trouble following routines (bedtime, getting ready for school).
- Forgetting chores or instructions, even minutes later.
- Meltdowns when plans change.
- Difficulty starting homework without reminders.
- Losing track of time during video games or other activities.
At school:
- Incomplete assignments despite knowing the material.
- Trouble keeping materials organized (folders, binders, supplies).
- Rushing through work with careless mistakes.
- Struggling with long-term projects that require planning.
- Difficulty transitioning between subjects or tasks.
Socially:
- Interrupting conversations.
- Struggling to manage emotions during disagreements.
- Difficulty reading social cues or adapting to group dynamics.

Recognizing these patterns is the first step to helping your child.

Supporting Executive Functioning at Home

The good news: executive functioning skills can be strengthened over time with the right supports. Children with ADHD often benefit from scaffolding—external structures that help compensate for skills that aren’t yet strong.

Here are strategies parents can use:

1. Externalize Memory

Kids with ADHD often struggle with working memory. Instead of expecting them to remember everything, make information visible.

Use visual schedules or checklists for routines.
Post calendars and reminders where your child will see them.
Break directions into small steps and write them down.

2. Create Consistent Routines

Predictability reduces the mental load.

Establish morning and bedtime routines.
Keep items (backpack, shoes, sports gear) in the same place daily.
Use rituals (like a “homework start-up” routine) to ease transitions.

3. Break Down Big Tasks

Large assignments can overwhelm children with ADHD.

Divide homework into smaller chunks with breaks in between.
Use timers (like the Pomodoro method—20 minutes of work, 5 minutes of break).
Celebrate progress along the way, not just the finished product.

4. Use Tools for Time Management

Children with ADHD often struggle with estimating time.

Use timers or visual countdown clocks.
Teach them to check the clock before and after tasks.
Have them practice guessing how long a chore will take, then check the actual time.

5. Support Emotional Regulation

Big feelings can derail executive functioning.

Teach calming strategies (deep breaths, squeezing a stress ball, short breaks).
Label and validate emotions before problem-solving (“I see you’re frustrated. Let’s take a break, then try again”).
Model your own coping strategies out loud.

6. Build Motivation with Rewards

ADHD brains are wired for immediate feedback.

Use small rewards (stickers, extra playtime) for completing steps of a task.
Offer choices to increase buy-in (“Do you want to start with math or reading?”).
Keep praise specific and focused on effort (“I noticed you started your homework right away—great job getting going!”).

Supporting Executive Functioning at School

Parents and teachers can work together to create supports that help students succeed.

Helpful Classroom Supports

Written directions paired with verbal ones.
Graphic organizers for writing and reading assignments.
Extra time for tests and assignments.
Breaks during long tasks.
Check-ins from teachers to monitor progress.
Access to assistive technology (text-to-speech, speech-to-text).

Accommodations Through 504 Plans or IEPs

If executive functioning difficulties significantly impact your child’s learning, they may qualify for formal accommodations. Examples include:

Preferential seating (near the teacher to minimize distractions).
Use of planners or digital reminders.
Breaking assignments into smaller parts with deadlines.
Allowing oral responses instead of written for some tasks.
Providing a quiet space for tests.

How Parents Can Reframe Executive Functioning Struggles

When kids forget homework, procrastinate, or melt down over changes, it’s easy to feel frustrated. But reframing these challenges as skills that need support—rather than willful misbehavior—can change the way you respond. Instead of thinking: “Why can’t they just do it?” Try: “This task requires executive functioning skills that aren’t strong yet. How can I scaffold or teach those skills?” This mindset shift helps parents respond with empathy and solutions instead of anger or disappointment.

Building on Strengths

While ADHD creates executive functioning challenges, kids with ADHD often have unique strengths too:

Creativity and outside-the-box thinking.
Enthusiasm and energy.
Ability to hyperfocus on topics of interest.
Strong problem-solving skills in real-world situations.

Encourage your child to explore their strengths while supporting their executive functioning. A child who struggles with organization may shine in storytelling, music, or hands-on projects.

Executive functioning is like the brain’s management system—helping us plan, organize, and follow through. For kids with ADHD, these skills are often weaker or slower to develop, which explains why tasks like homework, routines, and self-control can be so challenging. But with the right supports—structured routines, visual reminders, scaffolding, and school accommodations—children can build these skills over time. Most importantly, when parents understand executive functioning, they can respond with empathy, patience, and practical strategies.

Your child is not lazy, careless, or unmotivated. They’re learning how to use their unique brain—and with your support, they can develop the tools they need to thrive at school, at home, and beyond.

ADHD - Autism - Executive Functioning - Learning Disorders