When bright teens struggle with follow through the issue may be executive functioning

I forgot what I'm supposed to be doing?

I’m trying, but it doesn’t always show.

I don’t need to be yelled at—I need tools!

This isn’t laziness.
It isn’t defiance.
And it isn’t a character flaw.

The real issue: Mismatch in expectation and ability

There is often a burst of development around age 11. I call it “middle school magic.” Many students grow in organization and independence during this time.

But development has a range.

When high school expectations increase — longer papers, independent coursework, dual enrollment, jobs, driving — and executive functioning skills are still emerging, we see friction.

Not because your teen isn’t capable.

But because the demands don’t yet match their developmental skillset.

Executive functioning can be strengthened.

And it can be taught directly.

SO, WHAT ARE EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING SKILLS??

  • Response Inhibition

  • Working Memory

  • Emotional Control

  • Organization

  • Sustained Attention

  • Task Initiation

  • Planning and Prioritization

  • Time Management
  • Goal Directed Persistence
  • Flexibility
  • Metacognition

Executive functioning isn’t one skill.

It’s a network of brain-based abilities that allow teens to manage their thoughts, emotions, and actions.

In this course, we use the same research-based framework many clinicians use. Your teen will learn to recognize and understand the skills. 

Throughout the day, teens have a million things they want to do — and a few they need to do.

These skills help bridge the gap between intention and follow-through.

For some students, these abilities develop naturally.

For others, they need language, direct instruction, and guided opportunities to strengthen weaker areas.

And they need to learn when to:

  • Build the skill

  • Use a compensatory tool

  • Or adapt the environment or task to match their current capacity

That awareness changes everything.

As k yourself, "how did we get here?"

Executive Functioning for Teens

A 12-Module High School Course (.5 Credit)

When executive functioning gaps continue into middle or high school, support alone isn’t enough.

Teens need to understand:

  • How these skills show up in their own daily life

  • Where their strengths are

  • Where they struggle

  • Whether they need to strengthen a skill or adjust the task

Executive Functioning for Teens is a structured, self-paced course designed specifically for homeschool middle and high school students.

This is not a planner.
Not a personality test.
Not another system you manage for them.

It’s guided instruction that helps your teen develop insight, build capacity where needed, and learn how to adapt their environment intentionally.

That’s the shift from dependence to ownership.

Success doesn’t mean becoming hyper-organized or stress-free—it means:

🌟 building the tools to manage life instead of feeling constantly behind it. 🌟

It’s about ownership, adaptation, and feeling proud of what they can do, not defeated by what they struggle with.

Help my teen build independence

Hi, I'm Sarah.

OT and homeschool mama who just loves helping other homeschool families thrive. I created this course after receiving so many requests for help teaching your teens these skills directly.

EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING FOR TEENS is my way of partnering with you to help your students build these critical skills for life. 

During this course, I teach your student to recognize how executive functioning shows up in their own daily life — especially in their real academic work.

Each week, your teen will:

• Watch a video lesson introducing the skill
• Use a companion guide for reflection and understanding
• Complete a workbook assignment for guided practice
• Read part of a novel and analyze executive functioning in the characters
• Identify practical ways to carry the learning into their own routines

This isn’t busywork. It’s structured practice in building awareness, strengthening skills, and adjusting tasks or environments when needed.

Assignments can be scaled based on your teen’s workload, with guidance included for neurodivergent learners.

The goal is steady growth in insight, strategy, and ownership.

Designed for Independence

For a one-time payment of $197.00 your family will have access to all of our content forever.

This course is intentionally structured so your teen can move through it independently — with clear instruction and realistic expectations.

You’ll get:

  • A self-paced, 12-module high school course (.5 credit) your teen can complete on their own
  • Weekly video teaching from Sarah Collins, OT, clearly explaining the skill and the assignments
  • A detailed syllabus, complete book list, and optional companion guide for Smart but Scattered so you can stay informed without managing the process
  • Built-in flexibility with guidance on how to scale or adapt assignments — including specific support for neurodivergent learners
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Ready to Join Us?

Is this the next right step?

This course may be a good fit if:

  • You are still managing more of your teen’s work than they are

  • They are bright but inconsistent

  • You want executive functioning instruction to count toward high school credit

  • You are ready to move from constant prompting to growing independence

Investment: $197
One-time payment. Lifetime access.
May count as .5 high school credit in your homeschool.

Begin the course today:)