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Introducing: The Real-Life Executive Functioning Workbook
The Perfect Companion to the Executive Functioning Assessment You Just Requested
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A Must-Have Tool For Parents, Educators & Neurodivergent Preteens Through Adults
Discover the keys to unlocking your full potential with strategies that target executive functioning challenges directly. This isn't just about overcoming obstacles—it's about enhancing your innate capabilities and confidence.
Often, quality of life depends on how we manage our daily tasks and goals...
...and how we manage our daily tasks and goals depends on how we manage our executive functioning.
With our workbook, you gain the tools to transform executive functioning into a foundation for personal and academic success, enriching the lives of both you and those you care about.
This workbook is your guide to improvement, providing clear, straightforward paths to progress without the complexity of expert jargon — no PhD required.
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Teacher-Approved
This is the workbook I’ve been waiting for!!!
This is the workbook I’ve been waiting for!!! I teach in a middle school classroom with learners with all types of unique needs. Sometimes it can be hard to find customizable tools and strategies that adapt well to each student’s strengths. With The Real-Life Executive Functioning Workbook, I can pick and choose which exercises from each chapter fit best for each of my students. After that, the materials, instructions, and .pdf printables were ready to go right into the classroom.
Leslie Anderson // Special Education Teacher
Why THIS Workbook?
Data-Informed
Built on solid research and rigorously tested with our coaching clients to ensure you're getting strategies that work.
Real-Life Applications
As the title suggests, this workbook is all about applying skills in real-life scenarios, not just in theoretical exercises.
Skill Mastery Defined
Teachers love this feature—each exercise comes with Mastery Criteria to clearly signify when a skill is fully mastered, perfect for integrating into IEP goals or at-home learning benchmarks.
Assessment-Driven
Begin with a user-friendly assessment that recommends specific exercises tailored to you or your learner's needs.
Click here to see a sample assessment.
Expandable & Differentiated
No two learners are the same, which is why we've built Expansion Ideas and Skill Level indicators into every exercise, ensuring the workbook adapts to the unique pace and ability of each individual.
Easy-To-Follow (i.e. non-clinical)
Plain English instructions and less reading mean more doing—because we know executive functioning tools need to be EF-friendly too.
Written By Experts
Chris Hanson & Amy Sippl both ACTIVELY work full-time directly helping learners improve their executive functioning. Chris has ADHD and a BS in Special Education. Amy is a BCBA with a Master's in ABA.
Fun & Interactive
Beyond the basics, we've included engaging graphics and real-world applications to keep learning lively and relevant.
Driven by Your Feedback
This first edition is just the beginning—we're counting on your feedback to make this the best EF workbook out there
Portable & Convenient
Embrace the ease of a fillable PDF format—no need for printing. Save trees and enjoy the flexibility of accessing your workbook from any device, wherever you are.
Please note that fillable functionality and jump links have been disabled for the sample chapter.
Who is This Workbook For?
Whether you're stepping into a college campus, navigating the twists and turns of high school, or working directly with neurodivergent learners, our workbook is your companion for every step. It's packed with strategies that cater to the unique ways your mind works, helping you unlock your full potential. Dive in and transform how you learn, work, and live.
Special Education Teachers
Implement this workbook to create custom lesson plans that help students with diverse needs strengthen their executive functions, leading to more effective learning and engagement.
College Students
Tackle the unique challenges of college life with strategies that improve focus, manage demanding schedules, and enhance study habits, setting you up for academic and personal success.
High School Students
Use this workbook to build a solid foundation in time management and organizational skills, preparing you for the rigors of college and beyond.
Emerging Young Adults
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Parents & Family Members
Foster an environment of growth and mutual understanding, using the workbook to develop shared routines and support systems within the family unit.
Career Starters
Sharpen your professional skills with actionable strategies that turn executive function challenges into career-building opportunities.
Also Cherished by:
Occupational Therapists
Speech-Language Pathologists
Executive Function Coaches
Vocational Rehabilitation Specialists
Mental Health Professionals
Career Counselors
Academic Advisors
Peer Mentors
Support Group Facilitators
Not sure? Download the entire Time Management sample chapter by clicking here.
Please note that fillable functionality and jump links have been disabled for the sample chapter.
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Get instant access to The Real-Life Executive Functioning Workbook now!
Get all 11 chapters and 81 exercises of The Real-Life Executive Functioning Workbook as a fillable PDF download delivered straight to your inbox now!
What Parents are saying:
practical, real-world tools that are easy-to-implement.
After trying other parenting books and talking endlessly with friends and family, I could never really isolate why my 15-year-old son was continuing to struggle at school and with his friendships. Then, I stumbled across this workbook on a last-ditch internet search for answers. It turns out we needed to focus on executive functioning. Skills like planning, time management, and learning better emotional regulation was really what had been holding my son back. The workbook is everything the title describes: practical, real-world tools that are easy-to-implement. Start to finish it helped our family assess his needs, figure out what’s essential to achieve, and get started.
Mitch nelson // Dad
What EXACTLY Will I Be Getting?
The Real-Life Executive Functioning Workbook begins with a concise Introduction which includes useful information about getting started, instructions for how to use the workbook, and a brief rundown of executive functioning as a whole.
From there, the workbook contains 11 chapters (outlined below), one for each executive functioning skill area. Each chapter begins with a chapter outline, skills overview and a pre-assessment that guides learners towards the exercises most appropriate to your needs. In all the workbook includes a total of 81 exercises.
Chapter Three: Task Initiation
- 20Topic Selector
- 21Pep Talk
- 22Countdown
- 23First/Then
- 24Procrastination Station
- 25The Dawdler
- 26Stuck in the Mud
- 27Working Backwards
Chapter Two: Time Management
- 13Time Estimation
- 14Time Log
- 15Daily Planning Worksheet
- 16Pace Yourself
- 17The Juggler
- 18Late Log
- 19Fun Planner
Chapter One: Planning
- 1SMART Goal Planning
- 2Planning Strategies Vision Board
- 3Weekly Planning Meeting & Agenda
- 4Priorities Post-Its
- 5Task Analysis Generator
- 6The Sandbox
- 7Calendar Construction
- 8Daily Homework Planner
- 9Exam Study Plan
- 10Weekly Meal Planner
- 11Job Pl
anner - 12Rewarding Successes
Chapter Six: Flexibility
- 40Big Deal or No Big Deal
- 41Flexibility Flow Chart
- 42Change is a Good Thing
- 43Try My Way
- 44Messed Up Morning
- 45Transition Trainer
- 46Stretch Break
- 47That's Unfair
Chapter Five: Problem Solving
- 35Problem-Solver Practice
- 36Phone-A-Friend
- 37Plan B
- 38Savings Plan
- 39Problem-Solving Playbook
Chapter Four: Organization
- 28Reminder Cards
- 29Designated Places
- 30Photo Bomb
- 31Weekly Binder
- 32End of the Day Checklist
- 33Weekly Organization Checklist
- 34Bulletin Board
Chapter nine: Impulse Control
- 59The Interrupter
- 60The Demander
- 61Can-Do Cubes
- 62The Quitter
- 63Sleep Study
- 64Better Choices
Chapter Eight: Emotional Control
- 51Frustration Folder
- 52Stop, Think, Act
- 53Body Scan
- 54Tough Stuff
- 55What Would ____ Do?
- 56Reading Others
- 57Why it Matters
- 58Stay Cool Pool
Chapter Seven: Working Memory
- 48Learning Styles
- 49What Do I Need
- 50Summarize
Chapter Eleven: Self-Monitoring
- 72Exercise Evaluation
- 73Inventive Incentives
- 74Success Stories
- 75Progress Monitoring
- 76Check-In, Check-Out
- 77Long-Term Vision
- 78When Things Go Right (and Wrong)
- 79Behavior Log
- 80Bounce Back
- 81End of the Month Review
Chapter Ten: Attentional Control
- 65How I Pay Attention
- 66Managing Distractions
- 67Work Room Renovation
- 68The Distraction-ator
- 69Pomodoro
- 70Quality Control
- 71Break Box
Please note that fillable functionality and jump links have been disabled for the sample chapter.
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CHRIS HANSON // Author
Hi, I’m Chris and I was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. I moved to the Seattle area in September of 2008 and soon after, I met my awesome wife, Lisa!
I earned my special education teaching degree while working as paraeducator in the Kent School District. Overall, I have about 8 years of classroom experience and 20 years and counting of personal experience with ADHD and anxiety. I started Life Skills Advocate in 2019 because I wanted to create the type of support service I wish I had when I was a teenager struggling to find my path in life.
With everything I do, my mission is to uplift the neurodivergent community to embrace their strengths and self-advocate with confidence.
I consider the Real-Life Executive Functioning Workbook to be a natural extension of this mission.
Chris
AMY SIPPL // Author
Hi, I'm Amy, a Minnesota-based Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and freelance content developer specializing in helping individuals with diverse learning needs and their families reach their best possible outcomes.
I earned my Masters Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from St. Cloud State University and also hold undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Family Social Science from University of Minnesota – Twin Cities.
I have worked with children with autism and related developmental disabilities for over a decade in both in-home and clinical settings. My content focuses on parents, educators, and professionals in the world of autism—emphasizing simple strategies and tips to maximize success.
Amy
More Kudos From Parents
Holy smokes, what a resource!
My daughter has a classic case of "I'll do it later syndrome" for school projects. The problem is, when later finally comes, she rushes through it, gets stressed, and turns in low-quality work. When her dad and I try to help her, she gets defensive and lashes out. A family friend recommended we try out the Real-Life Executive Functioning Workbook and focus on the Task Initiation exercises. Holy smokes, what a resource! From the assessment, we were quickly able to determine the specific issue (she was overwhelmed with the number of steps) and jump right into addressing it. The Procrastination Station and Stuck In The Mud exercises were especially helpful. She is now doing a better job breaking down large projects into manageable pieces and budgeting her time. Feeling much more confident in school. Thank you!
Dawn Carr // Mom
Please note that fillable functionality and jump links have been disabled for the sample chapter.
The Best Time For Your Learner to Start Improving Their Executive Functioning is Right Now!
What do planning for the future, motivation, excelling in school, applying for a job, and transitioning beyond high school into adulthood all have in common?
They all require executive functioning skills. I'm talking about skills like organization, planning, time management, flexibility, task initiation, impulse control, and more.
Without executive functioning, our confidence plummets and so does our quality of life.
The Real-Life Executive Functioning Workbook teaches these exact skills and more across real-world contexts in an easy-to-follow (i.e. non-clinical) format, empowering your learner feel more confident and capable of improving their quality of life!
Enter your information below to get started.
Ready To Get Started?
The Real-Life Executive Functioning Workbook is normally $79, but as a special Thank You for downloading our free Executive Functioning Assessment bundle, we're offering the workbook for at a one-time price of $34.99.
Once you close this tab, the price jumps back up to $79.
Still not sure? Download the entire Time Management sample chapter by clicking here.
Please note that fillable functionality and jump links have been disabled for the sample chapter.
100% Satisfaction Guarantee
You are fully protected by our 100% Satisfaction-Guarantee. If you and your learner aren't satisfied within 7 days of purchase, just let us know and we'll send you a prompt refund.
Chris Hanson
Frequently Asked Questions
Executive functioning is defined as cognitive processes that govern our day-to-day actions and behavior.
They include skills like time management, organization, task initiation, flexibility, impulse control, working memory, self-monitoring, and others.
These skills develop in our prefrontal cortex and are among the last to develop as we transition into adulthood.
Anyone pre-teen and above whose executive functioning challenges have resulted in a negative impact on their confidence, life skill acquisition, motivation, relationships, academic performance, and overall quality of life.
ADHD, autism, and other neurodevelopmental diagnoses can impact executive functioning.
The Real-Life Executive Functioning Workbook is not written specifically for any particular diagnosis.
Our Workbook includes 81 exercises across 11 executive function skill areas.
The Real-Life Executive Functioning Workbook is assessment-based. Each chapter begins with a pre-assessment for a specific skill area. Based on assessment answers, learners are guided to the exercises most appropriate to address the most pressing needs first.
While not required, we highly encourage families, friends and educators to take an active role in helping learners go through this workbook. There are a lot of exercises, and while the workbook is designed to help learners prioritize the ones most relevant to them, sometimes it will still feel hard... so that's where external support can be helpful.
While The Real-Life Executive Functioning Workbook does not meet the traditional definition of a curriculum (e.g. scope & sequence, national or state standards-based, concentrated on a specific field of study, etc.), it should be considered a valuable learning resource.
Not at this time.
No, all exercises can be completed in the fillable PDF download you'll receive after purchasing.
However, if printing is preferred, you are welcome to do so.
Please note that you are more than welcome to use our workbook with yourself until your heart's content.
If you plan to use the workbook with students, clients or those you support, you may share specific exercises from the workbook, but we kindly ask that you refrain from sharing the entire workbook or entire chapters herein.
Regarding the sharing with non-students, I must ask that you NOT share it with your friends, colleagues or other people. As well-intentioned as doing so may be, making copies of and sharing any paid product is considered stealing. We are a small company and the sales generated from this workbook enable us to fund many of the free resources found on our website dedicated to supporting neurodivergent individuals, families & professionals.
If you wish to purchase additional licenses for your organization or have any questions at all, please reach out to me directly at chris@lifeskillsadvocate.com and we can discuss bulk license discount options. Thank you!
Yes, please visit our purchase order FAQ page for more information.
Yes, if your school or organization would like to purchase a single or bulk licenses via purchase order, please fill out our form here and visit our purchase order FAQ page for more information.
If at any point you need assistance, please reach out to admin@lifeskillsadvocate.com.
Yes, this workbook can serve as a valuable starting point for developing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). It provides insights into specific areas of executive functioning that may require attention. However, for a more comprehensive and robust IEP, it's advisable to also incorporate assessments or tools that have undergone scientific validation.
You are fully protected by our 100% Satisfaction-Guarantee. If you and your learner aren't satisfied within 30 days of purchase, just let us know and we'll send you a prompt refund. Please note that no refunds will be issued beyond this 30-day period.
Reach out anytime by emailing admin@lifeskillsadvocate.com.
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