Good Sensory Learning Blog

Just Released in Print! I'm thrilled to announce that Executive Functioning Games for Groups and Classes is now available in print for the first time! While many of you have already explored and enjoyed the digital version, this newly released hard copy edition, published through IngramSpark, is now in full global distribution, available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, independent bookstores, and libraries worldwide. Designed with Purpose and Playfulness Over the past year, I collaborated with a professional editor and designer to ensure this book is easy to follow and visually engaging. The final product features colorful silhouettes of groups in action,...

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...