Returning to this ONE principle has significantly improved my effectiveness, reduced my overwhelm, and improved my home life.  At EF Specialists, we make sure parents of neurodivergent kids start here when they are tired ‍♂️ of the missing assignments, bickering, and cluttered desks.  I’ll explain… A few weeks ago at my house, toys were scattered everywhere, dishes covered every surface, and there was no place to put food on the tables when dinner came.  Have you been there?  My wife was frustrated and this mess was causing communication flare-ups.  But instead o ..read more

Have you wanted to use your expertise in education, mental health, or parenting to help kids with executive function challenges, but struggle to know where to start? Do you find yourself searching aimlessly on YouTube, TikTok or Google, wondering what you should do first, and when the answer isn't easily accessible, you return to what feels normal and comfortable? If so, I'm right there with you! Back in 2020, I knew in my heart I had so much to give to students who need help with learning key executive function skills like: Creating an action plan for the semester Building relati ..read more

There is a secret shared by expert teachers that gives them purpose and clarity, while also fostering executive function skills in the classroom It’s something many new teachers don’t learn in time and end up leaving the profession in their first five years because they are doing all the heavy lifting. I’ve shared it in the video below, or you can keep reading to discover more. https://youtu.be/av4eS6CJyzM?si=p2ZkYz3ZrKqz4E0P The secret to staying engaged and motivated as a teacher Happy teachers spend LITTLE time actually teaching. They spend MOST of their time facilitating learning. He ..read more

After giving a presentation at UCSF on evidence based practices to support executive function skills, I got the following email from one of the docotors in the audience: How to find an EF coach for the DIY parent For a parent who is willing to do the work of interviewing individual coaches here are the steps I would recommend:  Step 1: Get the right questions ready Use the questions from this section of my guide on EF coaching or print them out from this article.  Questions you can ask a prospective EF coach: What is the process of your coaching program? What strategie ..read more

Here are 2 things that parents who ACTUALLY get an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) do… Parents who don’t do these things often get a “cookie cutter” IEP that is mainly copied and pasted from another IEP by an overworked, underpaid special education teacher. Wondering what they are? Keep reading… Number 1: They Get Regular Updates on IEP goals Kids who get real value from their IEP plan have parents who understand the IEP goals and know how to identify if their child is progressing toward them. Many parents do not understand the IEP goals they have been “given,” but are too afraid to cha ..read more

There is a new epidemic in parenting and it's not the Bulldozer Dad or Helicopter Mom. It's the "Hand-Holder." Don't get me wrong, I love to hold my daughters' hands. But when it comes to teaching them personal responsibility, I often need to "let go" and allow them to try new things. Let me explain. What is a "hand holder" parent? A "hand-holder" parent closely orchestrates nearly every aspect of their child's life, often stepping in to prevent any form of failure or discomfort. This can include: Bringing forgotten homework to school for their child Meticulously organizing their kid's backpa ..read more

This week I had an epiphany. I was speaking to a concerned parent about his child's executive function skills. He was very interested in executive function coaching but was worried about the financial commitment and wanted to be sure the cost would provide him with a solid return on his investment. He had so many great questions about our coaching process, which he admitted having taken from my guide to EF coaching. As we neared the end of our call, I could tell he wanted me to promise our services would ensure his daughter would stop: ...refusing to write down assignments in a planner ...tel ..read more

Recently, I've found myself repeating the quote "Be Messy or Be Messi" to friends, family, and colleagues, and I wanted to bring you in on the secret. The "Be Messy" part communicates the importance of taking messy action and getting started on things, rather than waiting for the perfect moment (which never comes). To "Be Messi" is the other side of the coin, which is being the best in the world at something, a nod to the world-famous soccer player, Lionel Messi (he was named the world's best player for a record eight times by FIFA ). Given its pretty hard to "Be Messi," it's in our best inter ..read more

Hi ,  NOTE:  For the next 4 weeks, I am going to send you my TOP TIPS for having a successful semester. These emails are part of a series called "How To Have The Best Semester Yet." Each of these emails is inspired by the course, The Semester Success Blueprint, which is designed for parents or educators to work alongside students with ADHD or Autism, to help prepare them for a successful school semester. Learn more about the course by clicking here. What can you expect this semester? A new semester is upon us and as a parent or educator, you may be filled with par ..read more

Hi friends, Have you wanted to pick up a new habit, but just feel too exhausted at the end of the day? Perhaps, you want to dive into that book your mentor recommended, but the thought of more work at the end of the day is revolting. Netflix, please! In my quest to evolve and grow, I've found a couple of hacks I've successfully implemented, and tested for validity with willing mentees and students. Want to learn my secrets? Secret #1: Start with the hard stuff One of the big secrets to getting things done is starting with the hard stuff. When you do this, everything that follows feels easier ..read more