Executive functions are brain-based skills that help us manage our emotions and attention to complete tasks and goals.

Executive function skills are used every day across all areas of life. We require executive functioning to learn, work, complete activities of daily living and manage our relationships. We start to develop executive function skills in our infancy but they do not fully develop until our mid twenties. These skills develop more slowly in individuals with ADHD, ASD, and certain learning disabilities.

Challenges with executive functioning can impact all aspects of life. Academically, deficits in executive functioning can make it challenging for kids and teens to start and complete tasks, sustain focus on tasks that do not feel exciting or urgent, organize and keep track of belongings. They often have trouble managing and planning their time and school work. They may leave homework, assignments and test preparation until just before due, struggle with the writing process and/or fail to submit school work altogether.

Emotionally, kids and teens who struggle with executive functioning may have a low frustration tolerance, inflexible or rigid thinking and struggle to manage their feelings in a contextually appropriate way. Socially, they may have difficulties understanding social nuances and experience frequent conflicts with their peers and friends. They may have difficulties making and maintaining friendships. What can look like laziness or defiance may actually be signs a child or teen is struggling with executive dysfunction.

Understanding the challenges that underlie these behaviours is key to providing children and adolescents the support they need to thrive in school, home and the community.

We help parents who are unsure about which support would best suit their needs with our intake services.

• Intake Sessions

• Executive Function Support

• Occupational Therapy

• Social Communication Support