Personal Advocacy, Communication, Emotional Control, Wellness & Mental Health

How to Teach Neurodivergent Learners Stress Management

Whether you’re a student taking a test or a young adult navigating independent living tasks like paying bills, grocery shopping, or applying for jobs, stress is an unavoidable part of day-to-day living. High-stress situations can make it incredibly hard for learners to express their needs, even when they desperately want support. For neurodivergent learners and … read more

Emotional Control, Executive Functioning

Emotional Regulation & Executive Functioning: Understanding The Relationship

Imagine standing at the foot of a mountain, knowing you need to reach the top but lacking the tools to climb. Each step feels insurmountable, and the weight of your own expectations crushes your spirit before you even begin. This is what life can feel like for those with executive function challenges—a daily struggle that … read more

Emotional Control, EF Apps & Tools, Executive Functioning, Impulse Control

The Science of Music and Emotional Regulation: Choosing the Right Soundtrack

Have you ever wondered why the right playlist can turn a bad day into a bearable one (or even make it downright awesome)? Or perhaps how your various emotional responses seem to be intrinsically tied to the type of music you’re listening to? How positive emotions can be invoked by upbeat, bouncy tunes, while sad … read more

Executive Functioning, Building Independence, Emotional Control, Impulse Control, Time Management, Wellness & Mental Health

Impulsivity, Stress & Time Management: A Complex Interplay

Here at Life Skills Advocate, we often discuss with clients and families that there’s not just one answer to challenges with executive functioning. The area of our brain responsible for EF skills–the prefrontal cortex–manages all types of complex behavior, including decision-making, personality, and goal orientation. A lot is happening there, which means we can’t always … read more

Neurodivergent Experiences, Emotional Control, Executive Functioning, Personal Advocacy

Navigating Imposter Syndrome and Neurodivergence: Strategies for Greater Confidence

Imposter syndrome is an insidious problem that affects many neurodivergent people. It can lead to feelings of inadequacy, shame, and low self-esteem. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to overcome imposter syndrome and regain your sense of confidence and self-worth. Let’s learn more about what imposter syndrome actually is – and then go over … read more

IEPs, Emotional Control, Executive Functioning

9 Emotional 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

Emotional Control, Behaviors, EF 101 Series, Executive Functioning

7 Emotional Control Strategies for Diverse Learners

Parents, educators, and adults working on their own growth know how hard emotional control and regulation can be, especially for teens and adults with unique learning needs. Diverse learners encounter unique challenges at home, school, and with friends and family. These challenges can mean emotional triggers can crop up at any time. That’s why building … read more

Emotional Control, Behaviors, EF 101 Series, Executive Functioning

Stop, Think, Act: How to Practice Emotional Control Skills with Your Teen

Keep your cool. Don’t flip your lid. Don’t get bent out of shape. Get a grip. Going off the deep end. Hot under the collar. Steamed up. Hit a raw nerve. It’s not entirely clear why, but the English language has many different ways to describe emotional control—and situations where we don’t always do the … read more

Emotional Control, Behaviors, EF 101 Series, Executive Functioning

Executive Functioning 101: The Basics of Emotional Control

Before we talk about the basics of emotional control, let’s begin with a story: Sam is a sixteen-year-old student with autism and ADHD who struggles with homework tasks. Sam likes drawing complex sketches of buildings and wants to be an architect someday. However, her smartphone sometimes gets in the way after school, and she regularly … read more