10/16/2025
Executive functioning skills are crucial for a teen's success. For many, these skills are not intuitive, which can lead to stress and frustration.
3 Evidence-Based Strategies
🧠 Metacognitive Strategy Training: This is a core component of occupational therapy. It's about teaching teens to "think about their thinking." They learn to set goals, plan ahead, and monitor their own performance to fix errors. This builds self-awareness and self-regulation.
🌎Environmental Supports: Modify their surroundings to help them succeed. This can be as simple as using visual aids like checklists or whiteboards, setting timers for tasks, and creating a dedicated, distraction-free workspace. These changes reduce overwhelm and help them focus.
💪Behavioral Interventions: Use positive reinforcement both internal and external to build good habits. Rewarding task completion, time management, or a consistent routine can motivate a teen to develop and maintain these vital skills.
💫For teens who continue to struggle, consistent occupational therapy can be a game-changer. An occupational therapist provides personalized strategies and tools to help them develop these skills and navigate their world with more confidence.💫
