Executive functioning (EF) skills, such as working memory, cognitive flexibility, and inhibitory control, are critical for navigating school, social relationships, and life. While these skills are essential for all children, they are especially significant for neurodivergent learners, who often face unique challenges in developing and applying EF abilities.

Executive functioning refers to a set of mental processes that help us plan, focus, adapt, and achieve goals. These skills include:

• Working Memory: Holding and using information to complete tasks or make decisions.

• Cognitive Flexibility: Shifting perspectives or adapting to new information and situations.

• Inhibitory Control: Resisting distractions and impulses to stay focused.

Other important EF skills include planning, organizing, task initiation, and self-regulation. These abilities are managed by the brain’s frontal lobes and continue to develop throughout childhood and adolescence.

Why Are EF Skills Important?

Executive functioning skills are fundamental to success—not just in school but across all areas of life. Research highlights the profound impact of EF on long-term outcomes:

• A landmark longitudinal study from the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study found that children with better inhibitory control had better health, higher incomes, fewer legal troubles, and greater life satisfaction as adults—even when controlling for factors like IQ and socioeconomic status.
• Early EF skills, such as working memory and inhibitory control in kindergarten, predict academic success in reading and math by second grade (Morgan et al., 2019). These skills set the stage for future opportunities, as children who struggle early in academics are less likely to attend college, secure stable jobs, or build financial security as adults (Chetty et al., 2011).

Without support, children with EF challenges may face increased risks of socio-emotional struggles, feelings of isolation, and fewer life opportunities.  For neurodivergent children, such as those with ADHD or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), EF challenges are even more pronounced.  

• ADHD: Up to 90% of children with ADHD struggle with EF, affecting their ability to focus, plan, and regulate emotions.
• ASD: Many autistic individuals experience EF difficulties, which can impact academic performance and daily functioning due to differences in brain connectivity.

These challenges make it essential to provide targeted support to help children strengthen their EF skills and thrive.  So, what are some strategies that can significantly improve EF skills and create a foundation for success and well-being? 

1.   Mindfulness Practices with Movement
Activities like T’ai Chi, yoga, and martial arts have shown the strongest results for improving EF across multiple measures. These practices enhance focus, self-regulation, and discipline while fostering physical and mental well-being. For instance, children in Tae Kwon Do programs demonstrate gains in focus, perseverance, and emotional regulation that transfer across settings.

2.   School-Based Programs
Programs such as MindUP and Tools of the Mind provide scaffolding and opportunities for children to practice inhibitory control, attention, and problem-solving. These interventions are particularly effective when integrated into the classroom environment.

3.   Noncomputerized Cognitive Training
Complex-span tasks, like remembering a sequence while completing a secondary task, effectively build working memory and focus. Unlike computerized programs, in-person training provides a supportive environment that encourages persistence and motivation.

4.   Parent and Family Support
Educational therapy, executive functioning coaching, and programs like the thinkSMARTⓇ program can help students with organization, time management, and task initiation. In addition, positive parenting practices—such as warmth, consistency, and clear expectations—further support EF development.

5.   Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT and Cognitive Behavioral Parent Training can improve self-regulation and reduce off-task behaviors. When combined with mindfulness practices, these approaches strengthen both emotional and cognitive control.

6.   Sports and Physical Activities
Team sports improve EF by requiring children to stay focused, follow rules, and work collaboratively. They also boost physical fitness, confidence, and social bonding.

Building a Better Future Through EF Support

Supporting executive functioning is about more than helping children succeed in school—it's about equipping them for life. EF skills enable kids to manage challenges, seize opportunities, and achieve their goals. In addition, early and consistent support for EF development can reduce educational inequalities, foster resilience and emotional well-being, and open doors to greater societal and economic opportunities.  

Parents, educators, and communities all play a role in nurturing these critical skills. By providing the right tools and interventions, we can help all children—especially those with neurodivergence—reach their potential and lead fulfilling lives. 

REFERENCES:

Chetty, R., Friedman, J. N., Hilger, N., Saez, E., Schanzenbach, D. W., & Yagan, D. (2011). How does your kindergarten classroom affect your earnings? Evidence from Project STAR. The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 126(4), 1593–1660. https://doi.org/10.1093/qje/qjr041

Diamond, A., & Lee, K. (2011). Interventions shown to aid executive function development in children 4 to 12 years old. Science, 333(6045), 959–964. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1204529

Diamond, A., & Ling, D. S. (2019). Review of the evidence on, and fundamental questions about, efforts to improve executive functions, including working memory. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 28(4), 297–303. https://doi.org/10.1177/0963721419848670

Morgan, P. L., Farkas, G., Tufis, P. A., & Sperling, R. A. (2008). Are reading and behavior problems risk factors for each other? Journal of Learning Disabilities, 41(5), 417–436. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022219408321123