RESOURCES AND HELP FOR EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING

 

Executive Functioning

Master the cognitive skills that enable planning, organization, time management, and goal-directed behavior.  This section explores working memory, cognitive flexibility, impulse control, task initiation, sustained attention, and self-monitoring—the mental processes that help children manage complex tasks and daily responsibilities.  Learn practical strategies for teaching organizational systems, breaking down multi-step tasks, using visual schedules and checklists, building metacognitive awareness, and scaffolding independence.  Discover how executive function challenges impact academic performance and daily living, assessment approaches, developmental expectations across ages, and interventions that strengthen these critical self-management skills.

Resources for Improving Executive Functioning Skills in the Neurodivergent Population

Here is an expanded list of 60 resources for neurodivergent children, teens, and adults who want practical help with executive functioning—planning, organization, time awareness, working memory, task initiation, emotional regulation, flexibility, and follow-through.  It includes learning resources, tools, organizations, coaching directories, and peer/family support groups.chadd+1

Executive-Function Learning Resources

1.   CHADD: Executive Function Skills — Introductory explanation of executive-function domains and their relationship to ADHD.  chadd
2.   CHADD National Resource Center on ADHD — Free, evidence-based ADHD information and referral support for individuals, families, educators, and professionals.cdc+1
3.   CHADD: Coaching — Guidance on ADHD coaching and links to professional directories.chadd
4.   CHADD Parent-to-Parent: Build Better Executive-Function Skills — Video-based parent course covering organization, time management, emotional regulation, and routines for children and teens.  chadd.thinkific
5.   ADDA: Executive Function and ADHD — Adult-oriented education and strategies for planners, reminders, routines, and managing executive-function barriers.  add
6.   ADDA: Five Pillars to Manage ADHD — Free adult ADHD management framework from the Attention Deficit Disorder Association.  add
7.   Understood: What Is Executive Function? — Plain-language overview of working memory, planning, focus, self-control, and emotional regulation.understood
8.   Understood: Executive-Function Strategies at Home — Practical supports for parents and caregivers to try at home.understood
9.   Understood: Classroom Accommodations for Executive-Function Challenges — Printable school strategies such as written directions, visual schedules, task chunking, checklists, and flexible response formats.understood
10.   Understood: Executive Function and Learning — Grade-spanning suggestions for supporting learners who struggle with organization, task completion, and planning.understood
11.   Child Mind Institute: Helping Kids Who Struggle With Executive Functions — Practical ideas for using planners, routines, checklists, time limits, and smaller task steps.  childmind
12.   Neurodivergent Insights: Executive-Function Helpers — Neurodivergent-affirming articles and resource suggestions for task initiation, attention, planning, and overwhelm.  neurodivergentinsights
13.   Tiimo Resource Hub — Articles and guides on executive functioning, routines, planning, time awareness, and neurodiversity.tiimoapp
14.   MindMate Neurodiversity Information Hub — Executive-function guidance emphasizing visual cues, sequencing, and reducing cognitive overload.mindmate
15.   South Carolina OSES Autism/Executive-Function Library — Links, printable materials, and autism-related evidence-based practices for families and educators.oses.sc
16.   NYSPTA Executive-Function Resources — A resource collection with teaching strategies and checklists addressing different executive-function skills.nyspta
17.   Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia ADHD Resources — Child and family resources from CHOP’s Center for Management of ADHD.  chop
18.   CDC ADHD Resources — Reliable public-health information about ADHD, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and support options.cdc+1
19.   National Institute of Mental Health ADHD Information — Research-based information on ADHD, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.webmd
20.   Autism Speaks: Executive Functioning — Autism-focused classroom tips and information related to executive-function challenges.  autismspeaks

Books And Curricula

21.   Smart but Scattered by Peg Dawson and Richard Guare — Parent-friendly framework for identifying and building specific executive-function skills in children.
22.   Smart but Scattered Teens by Richard Guare, Peg Dawson, and Colin Guare — Tools for teenagers’ planning, school organization, motivation, studying, and independence.
23.   Smart but Scattered Adults by Peg Dawson and Richard Guare — Adult workbook for developing realistic systems for time, tasks, organization, and habits.
24.   Unstuck and On Target! by Lynn Cannon and Lauren Kenworthy — Curriculum designed to support cognitive flexibility, planning, goal setting, and problem-solving, especially for autistic learners.google
25.   Solving Executive Function Challenges by Lauren Kenworthy, Laura Anthony, and Katie Alexander — Practical parent guide for helping autistic children become more flexible, organized, and independent.  sites.google
26.   Executive Function: Skill-Building Support Strategies for the Elementary Classroom by Sandra Rief — Classroom supports for organization, attention, self-monitoring, and task completion.sites.google
27.   Executive Function: Skill-Building and Support Strategies, Grades 6–12 by Sandra Rief — Middle- and high-school strategies for planners, assignments, materials, and independent work.  sites.google
28.   Understand Your Brain, Get More Done by Ari Tuckman — ADHD-focused workbook for productivity, organization, and time management.  nyspta
29.   Promoting Executive Function in the Classroom by Lynn Meltzer — School-based strategies for teaching executive skills directly.nyspta
30.   Late, Lost, and Unprepared by Joyce Cooper-Kahn and Laurie Dietzel — Parent and educator strategies for organization, planning, motivation, and follow-through.

Digital Tools And Practical Systems

31.   Tiimo app — Visual daily planner designed for neurodivergent users; useful for routines, transitions, task sequencing, and time awareness.tiimoapp
32.   Todoist — Digital task-management tool with recurring tasks, reminders, priority levels, and simple “Today” lists.neurodivergentinsights
33.   Google Calendar — Free calendar system for appointments, transitions, deadlines, recurring routines, and reminder alerts.neurodivergentinsights
34.   Google Tasks — Simple task list that integrates with Google Calendar and Gmail, useful for capturing tasks immediately.
35.   Notion — Flexible platform for visual dashboards, project planning, checklists, routines, and templates; use a minimal setup to avoid overbuilding the system.  neurodivergentinsights
36.   Trello — Visual board-based system for organizing work into “To Do,” “Doing,” and “Done” stages.
37.   Microsoft To Do — Free task-list application with reminders, recurring tasks, and daily planning features.
38.   Goblin.  tools — AI-assisted task breakdown tool that can turn a large or vague task into smaller, more actionable steps.
39.   Focusmate — Virtual body-doubling service in which users work quietly alongside another person during a scheduled focus session.
40.   Speech-to-text and mind-mapping tools — Helpful accommodations for people whose ideas move faster than written output; schools may incorporate these tools into executive-function supports.understood

Organizations And Advocacy

41.   CHADD — Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder — National ADHD nonprofit offering education, chapters, programs, advocacy, and support for families and adults.chadd+1
42.   ADDA — Attention Deficit Disorder Association — Large adult ADHD organization offering education, webinars, peer support, and practical resources.  add
43.   Autism Society of America — National autism organization with state and local affiliates that connect people to community resources and support.autismsociety+1
44.   Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) — Autistic-led disability-rights organization with educational materials and affiliate groups throughout the United States.autisticadvocacy+1
45.   GRASP — Global and Regional Asperger Syndrome Partnership — Autistic-led organization offering peer community, information/referral services, resources, and virtual support groups.grasp+1
46.   Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDA) — Information, advocacy, resources, and state/local chapters for people with learning disabilities and their families.ldaamerica+1
47.   National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) — National advocacy and policy organization with learning-disability resources and state-level information.ncld
48.   Tourette Association of America — Information, advocacy, chapters, affiliates, and support groups for people with Tourette syndrome and tic disorders.  tourette
49.   The Arc — National network supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families; local chapters may offer advocacy, navigation, and family groups.thearcok
50.   Family Voices — National network of families of children and youth with special health care needs and disabilities; Family-to-Family Health Information Centers provide family-led assistance.familyvoices
51.   Autism Speaks Tool Kits — Lifespan-oriented guides and resources, including school-age and transition tool kits.  Review resources through the lens of the autistic person’s own preferences and values.autismspeaks+1
52.   Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development National Organizations List — Curated directory of autism organizations, disability-rights groups, information resources, and community supports.  autismcenter.  duke

Peer And Family Support Groups

53.   CHADD local chapters, satellites, and branches — Local and virtual support, networking, advocacy, and education for children, adults, parents, caregivers, educators, and professionals.chadd
54.   CHADD Adult ADHD Support — Online community spaces for adults affected by ADHD.chadd
55.   CHADD ADHD Parents Together — Parent-focused community support and education.chadd
56.   CHADD ADHD Women Support — Community support addressing issues that may be especially relevant to women with ADHD.chadd
57.   ADDA Virtual Peer Support Groups — Online groups for adults with ADHD and parents, offering nonjudgmental peer connection and shared strategies.  add
58.   GRASP Virtual Support Groups — Virtual groups for autistic adults and communities including women/nonbinary people, LGBTQIA+ people, parents/caregivers, and adults over 50.grasp
59.   Autism Society local affiliates — Local autism community resources, referrals, and support opportunities; availability varies by affiliate.  autismsociety
60.   ASAN Affiliate Groups — State and local autistic-advocacy groups, including community organizations listed by location.autisticadvocacy
61.   LDA state affiliates and local chapters — Support, information, and services for people with learning disabilities, family members, and professionals in nearly every U.S. state and territory.ldaamerica
62.   Tourette Association chapters and support groups — Localized support for individuals, adults, families, and professionals affected by tic disorders.  tourette

Coaching And Professional Directories

63.   ADHD Coaches Organization (ACO) Directory — Searchable directory for ADHD coaches; coaching can target planning, time awareness, prioritization, routines, and accountability.adhdcoaches
64.   ADD Coach Academy (ADDCA) Directory — Find certified ADHD and life coaches by specialization, language, and delivery format.  addca
65.   CHADD Professional Directory — One place to begin locating ADHD-related professionals, services, and coaching options.chadd
66.   International Coaching Federation (ICF) — General directory for credentialed coaches; ask specifically about neurodiversity-affirming and executive-function experience.chadd
67.   EF Specialists — Individual executive-function coaching for middle-school, high-school, and college students with ADHD.efspecialists
68.   Executive Function Coaching Academy — Information about executive-function coaching and what this type of support may address.executivefunctioncoachingacademy
69.   Psychology Today Support Group Directory — Search by city and topic for professionally facilitated neurodivergent, autism, ADHD, caregiver, or skills groups.  Dallas-area listings include autism and neurodivergent groups.  psychologytoday
70.   Zencare Executive-Function Coaching Directory — Directory for locating therapists and providers offering executive-function coaching, including Dallas County options.zencare

North Texas Options

71.   DFW Autistic Support Group — Community support group for autistic adolescents and adults in the Dallas–Fort Worth area.arisespecialneeds
72.   Segue Center programs — Dallas-area programs that include executive-function/social-skills activities, college accountability, independent-living experiences, and career-development support.arisespecialneeds
73.   Neurodivergent Therapy Group in Dallas — A professionally facilitated group for people with ADHD, Level 1 autism, and other neurodivergent identities.psychologytoday+1
74.   Arise Special Needs Community Resource List — Local and regional resource guide that includes adult neurodivergent groups, executive-function programming, social opportunities, and independent-living supports.  arisespecialneeds

How To Choose

Start with the person’s most disruptive barrier rather than trying to “fix” every executive skill at once.  Strategies such as breaking tasks into smaller steps, writing down the next physical action, using visual checklists, building predictable routines, setting external reminders, and working alongside a body double can reduce demands on working memory and on task initiation.add+2

For a child or student, pair a resource with accommodations and direct instruction; for an adult, pair a simple planning tool with accountability or peer support.  Coaching, therapy, and group programs should complement—not replace—clinical care when medical, mental health, or safety concerns are present.