The Everything Parent's Guide to Children with Executive Functioning Disorder by Rebecca Branstetter Summary

The Everything Parent's Guide to Children with Executive Functioning Disorder provides actionable strategies to help children develop skills like task initiation, focus, time management, and emotional regulation. Written by school psychologist Dr. Rebecca Branstetter, it combines explanations of executive functioning challenges with checklists, real-life examples, and step-by-step solutions for improving organization and self-regulation.

This book is ideal for parents of children with ADHD, autism, or executive functioning (EF) challenges, as well as educators and therapists seeking practical tools. It’s designed for caregivers who need evidence-based methods to address issues like forgotten homework, emotional outbursts, or poor planning.

Dr. Branstetter breaks down eight core EF skills: task initiation, response inhibition, focus, time management, working memory, flexibility, self-regulation, and organization. The book offers targeted advice for each, such as breaking tasks into smaller steps or using visual schedules to improve time management.

Unlike purely theoretical guides, this book emphasizes hands-on strategies with checklists and troubleshooting templates. It focuses on real-world applications, like helping children transition between tasks or complete assignments, and integrates Dr. Branstetter’s 20+ years of experience in school psychology.

Key tools include:

• Checklists to track progress on skills like organization or impulse control.
• Scripts for discussing challenges with teachers or children.
• Customizable routines for homework, mornings, and bedtime.
• Techniques to build working memory through games and reminders.

The book provides specific advice for school settings, such as collaborating with educators on IEP/504 plans, modifying assignments for better focus, and creating systems to ensure homework is turned in. It also covers classroom accommodations like preferential seating or extended time.

Yes—it offers strategies adaptable to any child struggling with organization, time management, or emotional regulation. Dr. Branstetter emphasizes that EF challenges exist on a spectrum, and her tools are designed for both diagnosed and undiagnosed children.

1. Executive functioning skills can be taught through consistent practice.
2. Environmental modifications (e.g., visual schedules) reduce overwhelm.
3. Positive reinforcement works better than punishment for EF-related mistakes.
4. Parent-child collaboration fosters long-term self-reliance.

While both books address EF challenges, Dr. Branstetter’s guide offers more structured checklists and school-focused strategies, whereas Late, Lost, and Unprepared delves deeper into emotional impacts. The Everything Guide is often praised for its immediate applicability to daily routines.

Yes—Dr. Branstetter includes self-care tips for caregivers, stressing that calm, consistent parenting is key to modeling EF skills. Techniques include reframing setbacks as learning opportunities and prioritizing progress over perfection.

While focused on school-aged children (5-18), many strategies apply to younger kids developing foundational skills or adults with EF challenges. The book adapts approaches based on developmental stages, such as using picture charts for preschoolers vs. digital planners for teens.

Chapters are divided by skill type (e.g., focus, flexibility), with clear headings, bulleted lists, and gray “tip” boxes highlighting quick strategies. A troubleshooting index helps parents quickly locate solutions for issues like morning meltdowns or missed deadlines.