As the new school year begins, you want to give your child every advantage possible. The first few weeks of school are crucial; they set the tone for the entire year, establish important habits, and help your child make that
How Executive Function Coaching Empowers Students with ADHD
If you’re a parent of a child with ADHD, you’ve likely seen how bright, curious, and capable they are. Yet, they still struggle with things that seem “simple” to others. Have you ever considered their executive function skills? Maybe it’s
How to Choose an ADHD Tutor: A Comprehensive Guide for Middle & High School Parents
With its bustling hallways filled with chatter, students shuffling between classes, complex assignments, slamming lockers, and social pressures, middle and high school can overwhelm even the brightest teens, especially those with ADHD. That’s where the right ADHD tutor can make
Top 11 Worst Ways to Study: Strategies That Won’t Get You an A
After working with over 8,000 kids over the last 14 years, I can attest to the fact that these non-study strategies are guaranteed to reduce academic success while causing stress, anxiety, and lowered self-esteem. Kids are told that they need
How to Tell If Your Teen Needs Math Help
Does your child insist they’re “just bad at math” or avoid talking about it altogether? While a low grade might be an obvious red flag, many students who have math struggles show much subtler signs—ones that parents often miss. From
The Benefits of Executive Function Deficits Part 1: Understanding Hidden Strengths
Parenting middle and high school students is a journey filled with challenges and triumphs, especially when your child faces executive function deficits. This is often seen in cases of ADHD or learning disabilities and can look like disorganization, lack of
How Mind Mapping Helps ADHD Students Ace Their Exams
The Science-Based Hack That Helps ADHD Students Ace Exams Feeling overwhelmed by exam prep and endless note-taking? We’re in the midst of exam season! For students with ADHD, traditional study methods can often feel like running in circles. Fortunately, there’s
10 Ways to Reset, Reboot, and Recharge Your Child’s Study Skills in 2025
Introduction With every new year, there comes a perfect opportunity for a fresh start. If your child’s study skills have felt off-track or in need of a reboot, this is the time to hit reset, especially as we head into
Midterm Study Hacks for Students with ADHD
Midterms are stressful for any student, but if your teen has ADHD, the struggle can feel a little more intense. The distractions, overwhelm, and anxiety can make midterm studying feel impossible. That’s why midterm study hacks for students with ADHD
Want to do Poorly on Midterms? Do This
You know it’s coming. Midterms are right around the corner. But your teen is busy with a million other things. An English paper is due. A science project to complete. A hockey away game. Your child might be thinking, “No
Motivating Your Unmotivated Child Part 1: The “Why” Behind Motivation Struggles
Motivating your unmotivated child can sometimes be a losing battle. I know because I’ve been there. You watch your child struggle, maybe even pull away, and you start to worry, “What’s really going on here?” There are so many reasons
5 Roadblocks That Undermine Academic Achievement — and How to Help
If you’re a parent of a middle or high school student, you are undoubtedly aware of the academic challenges your child faces. Adolescence is a defining period filled with complex psychological, emotional, and intellectual changes, and navigating the academic landscape
Coping with Stress and Anxiety in your ADHD Child, part 3
Is your middle or high school child with ADHD struggling with stress and anxiety? Their teenage years are tough enough, but when ADHD is added to the mix, those challenges can feel even more complicated. As a parent, it’s normal
Transition to Middle School 101: What You Need to Know
The transition to middle school throws a lot at kids, and by extension, their parents. It’s not just tougher classes and more homework, it’s a whole new way of doing school. Imagine going from a familiar classroom with one teacher
Executive Functioning and ADHD: A Guide to Helping Your College Student Thrive, Part 2
Starting college is a thrilling next step in a child’s academic career, but for students with ADHD, it can feel like navigating a maze. Picture this: Sarah, a high school senior, excitedly receives her college acceptance letter. But amidst the
5 Ways Parents Can Reduce Their Child’s Test Stress, Part 2 of 2
As the school year winds down, anxiety symptoms and testing stressors intensify. Part 1 of this two-part guide dissected how parents might add to their child’s test stress, especially as finals are around the corner. Now, let’s explore practical strategies
Preparing for Finals 101 When You Have ADHD: What You Need to Know
Have you noticed your teen staring at a textbook for hours, and watched their eyes glaze over? Or maybe you know that they meticulously crafted a study schedule, only to find themselves completely sidetracked by dog videos on YouTube. If
Overcoming Procrastination: A Guide for Parents of Middle and High School Students
Imagine this: It’s Sunday evening, and you’re sitting at the kitchen table with your middle schooler, staring at a pile of unfinished homework. Your high school student is holed up in their room, claiming they’ll, “start studying in just a
7 Tips to Boost Your Child’s Grades and GPA Before Year-End
Are you seeing end-of-year school flyers mixed in with summer program options for your kids? It’s enough to make you think school is just about over. While the end of the academic year is definitely in sight, there’s still plenty
Why Your Child’s Grades Swing From As to Cs
While you might be tempted to fall into a spiral of concern, understanding why this is happening, and learning strategies to support your student, can make a huge difference. Let’s understand the complexities behind your child’s test grades and explore
Why I Got My Son A Tutor: A Personal Story
When my younger son started 7th grade, homework time was battle time. Even if I had removed his phone from his grasp, he took forever to get homework done. Every night it was the same thing: what should have taken
College Admissions And The Pivotal Role of GPA
For many parents, college admissions can feel overwhelming. Remember the frantic scramble for last-minute permission slips and color-coded folders the night before your child’s big school presentation? Now imagine that same level of stress, multiplied by a hundred, as your
How the Report Card Can Up Your Child’s Game
It’s the academic year half-way mark. You most likely got your child’s most recent report card. Did you get a sinking feeling when you saw it? Report cards can bring about a mix of emotions on behalf of your middle
Sending Your Child Back to College with Executive Function Deficits?
Navigating college life with executive function deficits and other learning disabilities often means encountering a unique set of academic, organizational, and social hurdles. The combination of a demanding academic schedule, newfound independence, and an omnipresent social environment can be challenging.
How to Conquer Exam Anxiety: Test Prep & Stress Reduction Strategies
Exam season: a time of frenzied cramming, sleepless nights, and enough adrenaline to power a rocket. But amidst the chaos, a silent enemy is lurking – exam anxiety. This beast can paralyze your mind, distort your thinking, and turn even
7 Proven Strategies to Help Your Child Finish 2023 Strong
The months of November and December are often filled with holiday-related activities, making it easy to get distracted from schoolwork. However, it’s important to remember that the school year is not over yet and there are still important goals to
How Pilgrims Used Executive Function to Plan Their Feast
Right now, you might be thinking about how the Pilgrims were able to put together such amazing and detailed feasts without all the technology we have today, especially when it seems like your own kids are struggling to turn in
7 Signs Your Child May Need Tutoring
Every child learns at their own pace, but there could be times when they might need a little extra help to understand challenging concepts or to reinforce learning. If you are a concerned parent wondering whether your child might be
Halloween: How to Use Study Skills to Get The Most Candy
Hey there students! With Halloween around the corner, it’s time to gear up for a night of fun, frights, and, most importantly, a bounty of candy! It’s that thrilling time when the streets are crawling with creatures from the otherworld,
How to Help Your Child Overcome their Multitasking Madness
The Myth of Multitasking During Homework It’s a common sight: your child is sitting at their desk, textbook open, but they’re also texting friends, occasionally checking social media, and maybe even watching a video on the side. It may look
What to Do When Your Child Won’t Listen to You
Being a parent is a rewarding but often challenging journey, especially when it comes to guiding your child academically. One of the most frustrating scenarios parents may face is when their child won’t listen to their well-intentioned study suggestions. If
How An ADHD Diagnosis Made My Kids Better and Happier Students
Part 1. Not Working to Potential When my older son, Robert, was going into the 9th grade, we noticed that he had a hard time getting his work done in school. He had always been an A student, but suddenly
Countdown to School: What You Need to Know
The start of a new academic year brings with it a blend of exhilaration, anticipation, and perhaps a dash of anxiety. As parents and students gear up for the commencement of middle and high school, it becomes vital to ensure
Transition to Middle School: The Importance of Executive Functions
Middle school represents a significant milestone in a child’s academic journey, marking a shift from the familiar, nurtured elementary school environment to a more challenging and autonomous learning space. The significance of executive functions becomes evident at this stage. These
How To Build Strong Study Habits In High School, Even If Your Student Has ADHD
As your child steps into high school, the stakes get higher. Every grade point matters, shaping their GPA, reflecting on their college transcripts, and laying the foundation for their future academic journeys. The challenge intensifies for students with Attention Deficit
Making the Transition to College: Characteristics and Skills That Are Critical to Success, part 2
Success in College: Enhancing Problem-Solving, Metacognition, Self-Determination & Time Management Skills As students embark on their college journey, they will encounter a multitude of challenges and responsibilities beyond academics that will determine their college success. In last week’s article, guest
Making the Transition to College: Characteristics and Skills That Are Critical to Success, part 1
Preparing for College: Beyond Academics – Nurturing Self-Awareness, Advocacy, Motivation, Resilience, and Regulation Skills Kids go to college to continue their education. Sure, that’s true. But the reality of going to college involves so much more than academics. As students
Summer Math Learning Loss: What You Can Do About It
Even though summer has started, it’s important for parents to recognize the potential math gaps that their children may have developed. These gaps can hinder their progress in the coming academic year. According to a recent article in The New
How to Get Your Child to Read Over the Summer: Librarians Reveal Their Insights
According to a recent article in The New York Times, the average student is a third of a year behind in reading as a result of the pandemic. Luckily, summer is the perfect time to try to reverse this trend.
A Guide to Surviving College for Students with ADD/ADHD and Executive Function Challenges: Part 3. The Importance of Note-Taking
College students often find themselves grappling with numerous distractions and challenges including managing their time effectively and staying focused amidst distractions, information overload, a new environment, and the pressure to succeed. This can be particularly daunting for college students with
Anxiety and Finals: 6 Ways Parents Can Reduce Their Student’s Anxiety (Part 2)
Final exams are coming! These benchmarks are one of the last hurdles before summer vacations for many students. The breadth and depth of these exams can be daunting and stressful. As a parent, it is hard to balance the urge
Anxiety and Finals: 5 Ways Parents Unintentionally Increase Their Student’s Anxiety (Part 1)
With the end of the school year upon us, we recognize that anxiety is a predictable and expected part of a student’s daily life. Deadlines are looming, examinations are approaching, and the light at the end of the tunnel is
7 Ways to Get a Jump on Preparing for Finals
Plan your work, and work your plan, is the best way to get through the stressful period of end-of-year finals. Even though it seems like weeks away, it’s a good idea to start thinking about one’s approach to tackling final
A Guide to Surviving College for Students with ADHD, Part 2: How to Develop Executive Functions
To be a successful college student, certain skills and tools must be in place to support the academic journey. As it turns out, these skills are not only essential for learning at higher levels but also necessary for careers and
8 Lessons Yogi Berra Could Have Taught on Study Skills
It’s baseball season! Former American Major League Baseball manager, Yogi Berra, was one of the most often quoted celebrities around the world. He was considered one of the greatest baseball players of all time. Despite only having an eighth-grade education,
Is There A Link Between Motivation and Executive Functions?
A lack of motivation can be directly linked to poor executive functions. Sustaining focus and maintaining goals, and getting tasks done – as in assignments, is dependent on the strength of one’s executive function. Executive functions are a set of
5 Ways to Annoy Your Teacher When Asking for Help
Engaged students aren’t afraid to ask for help from teachers when they need it. And most teachers are happy to help a nice, earnest kid who’s struggling. But there are right ways and wrong ways to ask for that kind
Chronic Procrastination, and What to Do About It
Procrastination is a common problem that affects many children whether they have ADD/ADHD, executive function deficits, or not. Many kids struggle to start and finish tasks and have difficulty managing their time effectively. This often leads to stress, lost motivation,
How to Study in School: A Guide for March Madness Fans
By Noah Pederson, 12th Grade Did you know that NCAA March Madness players are not only star athletes, but they are also students? Yes, it’s true. NCAA basketball players apply all the same skills on the courts as students apply
5 Ways to Remember What You Learn in 2023 and Beyond
Recalling new material is one of the biggest challenges students have. Every subject requires a different mindset. What’s more, with the constant bombardment and sheer volume of information being thrown at us constantly from a myriad of sources, it’s no