Most teens aren’t known for being organized or having flexible plans. For some, though, executive functioning skills like these can be even more difficult to use. Teaching teens how to have better control over their executive functioning can make life easier and reduce stress around school, chores, and even going out with friends. And it’s a big part of our therapeutic approach at Family First.
What are executive functioning skills?
Executive functioning controls how people plan things, stay organized and focused, regulate their emotions, and control their impulses. Teens often struggle with many of these things naturally because of the changes that are occurring in their brains. As they get older and their brains become more developed, executive function skills usually improve.
For people with neurodivergent or mental health conditions, though, it’s more challenging. Without some extra support, they might continue struggling with things like:
- Putting off schoolwork
- Refusing to go to school
- Being late
- Emotional outbursts
- Paying attention
- Impulse control
- Rigid thinking
- Low motivation
- Future planning
Improving executive function at Family First
We know that every teen will have their own unique strengths and challenges. That’s why we use a therapeutic approach that allows us to figure out how to help them use what they’re good at to improve where they’re struggling. Executive functioning skills take practice, so we set aside time for teens at Family First to discuss skills with our therapists and in groups so they can use them during treatment.