ADHD, Executive Function and Behavior

Understanding the connection between behavior, executive function, and learning.

Many of the behaviors educators address each day are not simply issues of compliance, motivation, or effort. Challenges with attention, organization, task completion, emotional regulation, participation, and behavior are often connected to executive function demands that exceed a student's current skill level.

ADHD, Executive Function & Behavior helps educators move beyond surface-level behaviors to better understand the skills influencing student performance and identify practical classroom supports that increase independence, engagement, and success.

Rather than focusing solely on behavior management strategies, this toolkit helps educators examine the relationship between behavior, executive function, learning, stress, and classroom demands while maintaining high expectations for all students.

Inside the toolkit, educators will explore:

• Viewing behavior as information rather than simply a problem to solve
• Understanding the relationship between executive function and school success
• Recognizing the different ways ADHD may present in classroom settings
• Identifying the executive function skill behind a behavior
• Examining the role of stress, anxiety, and environmental demands on student performance
• Building on student strengths while addressing barriers to learning
• Supporting independence through intentional classroom practices and accommodations

The toolkit includes practical resources such as:

• Behavior analysis and reflection tools
• Executive function profiles and student problem-solving guides
• Self-assessments for teachers and teams
• Executive function action-planning templates
• Strategy menus aligned to eight core executive function skills
• Classroom supports for emotional regulation, impulse control, and self-monitoring
• Language audits and mindset reflection tools
• Accommodation planning resources
• Six-week implementation and reflection tools for teams and PLCs

Educators will learn how to:

• Identify the executive function skills influencing student behavior
• Distinguish between skill deficits and performance barriers
• Recognize how stress and anxiety affect learning and self-regulation
• Select classroom supports that promote independence rather than dependence on adult prompting
• Reframe common assumptions about ADHD and executive function challenges
• Design learning environments that reduce unnecessary barriers while maintaining rigor and high expectations
• Build upon student strengths, interests, and talents while addressing areas of need

The toolkit addresses eight essential executive function skills:

• Emotional regulation
• Impulse control
• Task initiation
• Working memory
• Planning and prioritization
• Cognitive flexibility
• Organization
• Self-monitoring

The toolkit is designed for:

• General education teachers
• Special education teachers
• Instructional coaches
• Campus administrators
• Interventionists and support staff
• Co-teaching teams
• PLCs and collaborative teaching teams

Whether supporting students with ADHD, executive function challenges, anxiety, learning disabilities, autism, or simply the increasing demands facing today's learners, ADHD, Executive Function & Behavior provides educators with practical tools for understanding student needs and creating classrooms where students can access instruction, develop independence, and experience success.