Good Sensory Learning Blog

When most people hear the term executive functioning, they think of school-age children with ADHD or learning challenges. But here’s the truth: executive functioning isn’t just a childhood concern. It’s a set of lifelong mental skills that many adults quietly struggle with every day. You may find yourself saying: “I know what I need to do… so why can’t I get myself to do it?” Whether you’re forgetting appointments, putting off important tasks, or feeling mentally overloaded, these aren’t just personality quirks or bad habits. They may be signs of executive functioning challenges—something far more common in adulthood than most...

I’ve been reflecting more and more on how profoundly our bodies and minds interconnect, and one revelation that has recently captivated me is the crucial role the autonomic nervous system (ANS) plays in shaping our executive functioning. We often think of executive functions—skills like attention, working memory, and cognitive flexibility—in purely cognitive terms. Yet, consider this: our ability to focus, adapt, resist impulses, and manage information can be directly influenced by how well we regulate our physiological state. By understanding the balance between the sympathetic (fight or flight) and parasympathetic (rest and digest) systems, we can discover simple yet effective...

Are you an educator, parent, or specialist trying to help a student who seems capable but constantly forgets assignments, avoids tasks, or struggles to stay organized? You’re not alone.  Many students today are falling behind, not because they lack intelligence, but because they were never taught how to learn, how to plan, or how to manage their own thinking. These are all executive functioning skills, and while they are essential for success, most schools don’t explicitly teach them. 🧠 What’s Missing in Schools? In traditional classrooms, students are often expected to: Keep track of multiple assignments across subjects Start tasks on...

After reading the recent NY Times article on ADHD diagnoses and stimulant medications, I found myself reflective—not only as an educational therapist but as someone who has spent decades walking alongside students and families trying to make sense of this complex, often misunderstood diagnosis. The article, titled "Have We Been Thinking About A.D.H.D. All Wrong?", was published by The New York Times on October 6, 2023. You can read it here: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/06/opinion/adhd-diagnosis-treatment.html. What stood out most to me was the recognition that the long-term academic impact of stimulant medication is far less significant than we’d hoped. As someone who sees...

Stretch Those Thinking Muscles! A Fun New Way to Build Cognitive Flexibility in Kids Let’s be real—life doesn’t always go according to plan. One moment you’re deep in a math lesson, and the next, a surprise fire drill sends you outside… standing in the rain without a jacket. For kids, these sudden shifts can feel like major disruptions. But what if we could equip them with the mental tools to handle surprises, solve problems creatively, and shift gears with confidence?  Say hello to the E-Fun Cognitive Flexibility Workbook—a playful, 49-page printable resource designed to make developing executive functioning skills both...