🌿 Executive Function and ADHD in the Classroom

By EmpowerED Coaching & Consultancy

Have you ever noticed a child who can tell you the right answer one moment — but then can’t find their pencil, forgets the instructions, or gets completely stuck starting their work?

This isn’t about effort or intelligence. It’s often linked to executive function — a set of brain skills that help us manage thoughts, emotions, and actions. For children with ADHD, these skills can develop more slowly, making everyday classroom tasks feel like climbing a mountain without a map.

Understanding executive function helps teachers and parents move from frustration to compassion — and from chaos to calm.

🌱 What Is Executive Function?

Executive function (EF) is like the brain’s air traffic control system — it helps children:

• Focus attention and ignore distractions

• Hold information in their working memory

• Plan, organise, and start tasks

• Manage time and shift between activities

• Regulate emotions and impulses

  
  

When EF skills are strong, children can stay on track and problem-solve effectively. When they lag behind — which is common in ADHD — children may appear “forgetful,” “disorganised,” or “defiant,” when in fact they’re overwhelmed.

🌸 Why Executive Function Is a Challenge for Children with ADHD

Children with ADHD often experience what researchers call a “developmental delay” in executive function — meaning they may function 2–3 years behind their peers in these areas.

That’s why even bright, capable children might struggle to:

• Start independent work without prompts

• Follow multi-step instructions

• Keep track of belongings or homework

• Manage time or transitions

• Control strong emotions or impulses

  
  

When we understand why this happens, we can replace blame with support — helping children build these skills over time through structure, coaching, and compassion.

🌼 5 Calm, Classroom-Friendly Strategies to Support Executive Function in ADHD

1. Use Clear Visuals and Predictable Routines

ADHD brains thrive on clarity and consistency. Visual schedules, “Now/Next” boards, and step-by-step task cards reduce mental load and anxiety. If routines need to change, give gentle warnings ahead of time to help the child prepare.

2. Chunk Instructions and Check for Understanding

Children with ADHD often lose information mid-instruction due to working memory differences. Keep directions short, use one step at a time, and check back with:

“Can you tell me what you’ll do first?” This strengthens recall and independence.

3. Model Planning and Organisation Aloud

Verbal modelling turns invisible thinking into teachable moments. Say:

“First I’ll get my book, then my pencil, then start question one.” Hearing this helps children with ADHD internalise a similar thought process for themselves.

4. Support Emotional Regulation Before Problem-Solving

When emotions are high, the executive brain goes offline. Offer safe regulation tools — breathing cards, movement breaks, or a calm corner — before trying to reason or redirect. Once calm, then revisit the task together.

5. Celebrate Effort and Progress, Not Perfection

Children with ADHD often receive constant correction. Balance this by highlighting growth:

“You remembered your reading book today — that shows focus and responsibility.” Positive reinforcement releases dopamine — helping motivation and confidence bloom.

🌻 A Gentle Reminder for Educators and Parents

Executive function challenges aren’t a choice; they’re part of how the ADHD brain is wired. Our role is to coach the skill, not criticise the struggle. With structure, empathy, and repetition, children can build stronger executive function pathways — learning not just academic skills, but self-understanding and resilience.

🌿 Ready for the Next Step?

EmpowerED Coaching & Consultancy offers calm, neuro-affirming ADHD and executive function coaching for parents, children, and schools.

📘 Classroom Resource Pack

If you’d like ready-to-use tools to help children practise planning, organisation, focus, and emotional regulation, explore my

👉 Executive Function Classroom Pack for ADHD Support (a downloadable set of visual timetables, checklists, regulation tools, and reflection sheets designed for classrooms).

👉 Book a free 15-minute parent chat to explore how ADHD coaching can support your family or classroom.📩 rosiethomson386@gmail.com