Executive Functioning

Raising a Son with ADHD: One Mother’s Journey

CHC staff member Lauren Sims recounts her experience with raising a son who has ADHD—the challenges and the rewards—and offers advice for parents who may be just beginning their ADHD journey. Read more ›

Understanding Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Young Adult: Get the Facts [downloadable]

Hearing a health care professional say you have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can be confusing. The good news is that the emotions and behaviors you have been concerned about are actually symptoms of a treatable disorder. Read more ›

Trouble With Executive Function at Different Ages

Executive function is a set of mental skills that act as a command center in the brain. They help us plan, manage time, control emotions, and get tasks done. They’re also important for staying focused and solving problems. So struggling with executive function can have a big impact on kids.

Trouble with executive skills is common in kids who learn and think differently. And all kids with ADHD struggle with it. Read more ›

Making the Move to Middle School? How to Improve Executive Functioning Skills

Executive functioning isn’t something that just crops up during adolescence. Our kids have been working on their executive functioning skills since they were babies. Read more ›

Therapy Dogs Reduce College Stress, Improve Executive Functioning

Spending just one hour per week for a month with therapy dogs led to a significant improvement in executive functioning for college students at risk of failing academically. Read more ›

Executive Functioning: What It Is and How to Help [presentation]

In this presentation, neuropsychologist Jennifer Rosenthal, PhD, and CHC education specialist Ann Lyke, MEd, discuss Executive Functioning: what it is, what executive functioning skills look like in the classroom, and why many children are facing additional challenges with executive functioning during the pandemic. Read more ›

Why the Preteen Years Are a Critical Period for Brain Development

Aside from experiencing physical changes, preteens also undergo a brain growth spurt much like toddlers. Ron Dahl, who directs the Institute for Human Development at the University of California, Berkeley, argues that adolescence is actually a second opportunity to invest in children because of the enormous brain development during this period. Read more ›

Play to Learn: Structured Play Is Important to Your Child’s Development [downloadable]

Allowing your child to play is a must! A healthy balance between children playing on their own and having structured play with parents is important for early learning and development. Read more ›

As We Grow…Key Developmental Milestones Ages 1-18 [downloadable]

At each age in a child’s life, there are predictable levels of skill to expect. We have outlined the developmental milestones for ages 1 to 18—a checklist you can use as you observe your child growing up, and a guide to use with your pediatrician or your child’s teacher. Read more ›