Purpose 🎯

Help clients understand the different executive functioning skills involved in ADHD and identify which areas have the greatest impact on their daily life.

Let’s Talk About It 🗣️

Many clients believe they are simply “bad at life.” This activity helps them realize that executive functioning is made up of many different skills, and some are naturally more challenging than others.

Draw a brain in the middle of a whiteboard or piece of paper. Around it, write:

• Planning
• Organization
• Working Memory
• Time Management
• Emotional Regulation
• Task Initiation
• Flexible Thinking
• Sustained Attention

Ask:

• Which one feels easiest for you?
• Which one causes you the most frustration?
• Which one gets you into trouble most often?
• If one of these improved, how would your life look different?

Don’t worry about covering every category. Let the conversation naturally focus on whichever skill feels most relevant.

If the Conversation Gets Stuck 💡

• Tell me about a time this happened recently.
• Walk me through that day.
• What happened right before things became difficult?
• Does this happen at work, home, or both?

Telehealth / Whiteboard Version 🧠

Write each executive function around a brain and have the client rate each one from 1–10. Circle one or two areas to make the primary focus of treatment.

Why This Works 🌱

Many clients think ADHD is one problem. Breaking it into individual executive functioning skills helps reduce shame and gives therapy a clearer direction.

Clinical Pearl 🧠

You don’t need to address every executive function. One meaningful conversation about one skill is often more valuable than briefly discussing all of them.

Documentation Language 📝

Therapist provided psychoeducation regarding executive functioning and facilitated discussion to increase patient insight into strengths and areas of difficulty associated with ADHD. Therapist collaborated with patient to identify treatment priorities related to executive functioning deficits.

Clinical Focus: Executive Functioning Insight, Psychoeducation, Treatment Prioritization