Maitland Mental Health Co.

Maitland Mental Health Co. Testing, therapy, & educational consulting for children, teens, & young adults

How does executive functioning impact autistic learners?A lot of what looks like “behavior” at school is actually execut...
02/17/2026

How does executive functioning impact autistic learners?

A lot of what looks like “behavior” at school is actually executive functioning.

Executive functioning is the brain’s management system. It helps with:
-starting tasks
-switching between activities
-organizing materials
-remembering directions
-planning and pacing work
-regulating emotions under stress

For learners with autism, executive functioning can be impacted by things like sensory overload, anxiety, or rigid thinking. So the child who “knows it” might still struggle to show it.

One of my favorite reframes for parents is this: skills can be uneven. A child can be brilliant and still need support with the basics of getting through the school day.

If executive functioning is a struggle in your house, save this and tell me the hardest time of day (mornings, homework, bedtime, transitions). That helps me know what tips to share next.

Why can autism present so differently from one child to another?Autism isn’t one “look”. It’s a brain-based difference, ...
02/16/2026

Why can autism present so differently from one child to another?

Autism isn’t one “look”. It’s a brain-based difference, and every child’s profile is a mix of strengths & support needs.

Two kids can both have autism and be totally opposite on:
-speech (lots of words vs. few)
-sensory needs (seeks input vs. avoids it)
-social style (very social vs. very quiet)
-flexibility, routines, transitions
-anxiety, attention, sleep, or emotional regulation

Also, environment matters. A child might seem “fine” at school and melt down at home, not because they are hiding something, but because school takes so much effort.

If you’ve ever thought “But my child doesn’t act like the kids with autism I’ve seen in the media,” you’re not alone. But it’s important to remember that autism is a spectrum, not a stereotype.

If you want, comment the age of your child and what you’re noticing most (sensory, social, transitions, meltdowns, school). I can point you towards what I would look at first.

Happy Valentines Day 💌🧸
02/15/2026

Happy Valentines Day 💌🧸

Happy Valentines Day! 💌🧸
02/14/2026

Happy Valentines Day! 💌🧸

Does a Diagnosis Limit the Future? A diagnosis doesn’t define a child— it explains a pattern.For many families, it bring...
02/12/2026

Does a Diagnosis Limit the Future?

A diagnosis doesn’t define a child— it explains a pattern.

For many families, it brings relief, direction, and access to support.

What limits kids isn’t information, it’s unmet need.

Most families tell me the same thing afterward:
“I wish we had done this sooner!”

Do kids really grow out of executive functioning challenges?Some skills improve with time; others need support, practice...
02/12/2026

Do kids really grow out of executive functioning challenges?

Some skills improve with time; others need support, practice, and the right tools.

Executive functioning challenges don’t just disappear because kids get older..they often change how they show up.

With the right supports, kids can absolutely thrive. But without them, they may internalize the struggle as “something’s wrong with me”— and that belief is far more limiting than the challenge itself.

Why the same academic pressure overwhelms one child and motivates another:Kids aren’t choosing how pressure lands..their...
02/11/2026

Why the same academic pressure overwhelms one child and motivates another:

Kids aren’t choosing how pressure lands..their brains are doing that work for them 🧠

Pressure isn’t experienced equally. For one child, it fuels focus; for another, it triggers anxiety or shutdown.

That difference often comes down to:
-nervous system sensitivity
-emotional regulation skills
-executive functioning
-past experiences with failure or success

Understanding this helps adults respond with support instead of comparison ❤️

Why some children need support even if grades are okay:Good grades don’t always tell the full story.Some kids work twice...
02/10/2026

Why some children need support even if grades are okay:

Good grades don’t always tell the full story.

Some kids work twice as hard to stay afloat. Some rely on perfectionism to cope. Some fall apart emotionally after holding it together all day.

Support isn’t about lowering expectations, it’s about reducing unnecessary strain.

If school feels heavy behind the scenes, that matters ❤️

How stress interferes with learning (even when kids are trying)Stress takes up space in the brain.When kids are stressed...
02/09/2026

How stress interferes with learning (even when kids are trying)

Stress takes up space in the brain.

When kids are stressed, it’s harder to focus, remember information, organize thoughts, and/or persist through challenges.

That’s why a child can seem capable one day and completely overwhelmed the next.

Stress doesn’t always look dramatic, sometimes it just looks like inconsistency. And inconsistency is a clue.

Why ADHD makes “boring” tasks feel so much harder (and it’s not laziness!)Kids with ADHD don’t struggle because they don...
02/08/2026

Why ADHD makes “boring” tasks feel so much harder (and it’s not laziness!)

Kids with ADHD don’t struggle because they don’t care, they struggle because their brains need interest, tendency, or novelty to engage.

Tasks that feel repetitive, slow, or uninteresting require more mental energy than we realize. Even when a child wants to do well.

That’s why you might see effort for preferred activities, resistance for less engaging tasks, and exhaustion after school.

It’s not a character issue, it’s a brain wiring difference. This distinction changes how we support kids 🫶

When learning feels hard, emotions show up first:This is something I see ALL the time. For many kids, frustration comes...
02/07/2026

When learning feels hard, emotions show up first:

This is something I see ALL the time.

For many kids, frustration comes before failure. You might notice:

-tears over homework
-shutting down when work gets challenging
-irritability around school topics
-avoidance of tasks they used to try

Those emotional reactions are often the first sign that learning feels overwhelming.

When we address the emotional piece, learning becomes more accessible. When we ignore it, kids stop trying.

Black history is not just history, it’s lived experience for so many of the families I work with.This month (and always)...
02/05/2026

Black history is not just history, it’s lived experience for so many of the families I work with.

This month (and always), I’m mindful of how culture, identity, and access shape a child’s experience in school and in mental health spaces.

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32751

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