Attentional Control, Executive Functioning, Wellness & Mental Health

Social Media and Executive Functioning: Best Practices for Teens

Can your favorite social media app actually make it harder to focus, plan, and stay organized? Social media can be helpful but might overload your executive functioning if used excessively. Learning how it affects your thinking, emotions, and self-control can help you make more informed choices online. This guide explores how social media influences executive … read more

EF Apps & Tools, Attentional Control, Executive Functioning, Time Management

Pomodoro Technique for ADHD and Improved Focus

Struggling with focus and time management due to ADHD? ADHD often makes it difficult to concentrate, manage time, and overcome feelings of overwhelm. The Pomodoro Technique might be your answer. This method breaks tasks into manageable chunks with built-in breaks, helping you stay focused and reduce distractions effectively. Let’s explore how the Pomodoro Technique can … read more

Executive Functioning, Attentional Control, EF Apps & Tools, Making Stuff EF Friendly

Neurodivergent Toolbox: How to Use Body Doubling

Have you ever noticed how your productivity skyrockets in the presence of someone else? There’s a growing trend on social media and neurodivergent-themed blogs recommending “body doubling”, a productivity technique involving using a second person (sometimes hired for pay) to be present while you work. For many neurodivergent individuals, including those with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), … read more

Attentional Control, Executive Functioning, Neurodivergent Experiences

From Chaos to Order: How To Improve Attention To Detail

Do you find yourself constantly forgetting? Zoning out or struggling with procrastination? Neurodivergence can sometimes make tasks like paying your bills on time and meeting work deadlines seem like big challenges. These types of menial activities go undone or don’t feel like priorities–purely due to attention to detail. Issues with attention to detail can manifest … read more

Attentional Control, Executive Functioning

ADHD and Screen Time Management: 11 Techniques for Success

In an era of digital-everything, it’s nearly impossible to go a day without using a screen. They’re everywhere and embedded into nearly every aspect of modern life. Screens can be particularly problematic for neurodivergent individuals for a number of reasons. By nature, screens are designed to be highly stimulating and engaging—which can lead to overstimulation. … read more

Neurodivergent Experiences, Attentional Control, Executive Functioning

Hyperfixations and ADHD: What You Need to Know

This post was updated in February 2025 to include information from the now-archived post “Hyperfixation and Executive Functioning: Balancing Intense Interests with Productivity” by Amy Sippl. Have you ever been so engrossed in a task that you forgot to eat? Or so absorbed in a new hobby that you accidentally pulled an all-nighter? If you … read more

IEPs, Attentional Control, Executive Functioning

8 Attentional Control IEP Goals

This article is designed to be utilized with the utmost professional integrity and ethical consideration. It is imperative to acknowledge that directly copying and pasting example goals into student’s IEPs from any external source, including ours, undermines the individualized nature of IEP planning and does not serve the best interests of students. This resource aims … read more

Attentional Control, EF 101 Series, Executive Functioning

Attentional Control: Long-Term Strategies & Supports for Diverse Learners

“You can do it; you just need to focus.” “Just pay attention to what’s happening.” “It’s not that hard. You’re getting distracted.” Ever feel like you’re always playing the role of “concentration coach” for your teen or young adult with unique learning needs? We all have times where it feels challenging to focus–especially during a … read more

Attentional Control, EF 101 Series, Executive Functioning

Finding Focus: How to Help Your Teen with Paying Attention

Even though we all know we live in a world full of distractions, the numbers can be pretty startling. Pre-pandemic studies show we face distractions once every 7-8 minutes throughout the day, equating to about 60 distractions in an eight-hour work or school day. These distractions can cause frustration, time management issues, and challenges in … read more

Attentional Control, Behaviors, EF 101 Series, Executive Functioning

Executive Functioning 101: All About Attentional Control

As of this writing, if you enter the search words “How to Focus Better” into Google, you’ll encounter about 6.2 billion results. In a world with so many distractions, we scramble to sustain our attention on what matters the most. If adults struggle with this skill, imagine how difficult it can be for learners with … read more