The Executive Functioning Workbook for Teens - by Sharon A Hansen (Paperback)

About the Book

Disorganized, chronically late, forgetful, or impulsive--these are words commonly used to describe teens with executive functioning disorder (EFD), an attention disorder marked by an inability to stay on task. In this easy-to-use, practical workbook, a licensed school counselor provides teens suffering from EFD the skills needed to get organized, retain information, communicate effectively, and perform well in school and everyday life. From handling frustration to taking notes in class, this book will help teens with EFD hone the skills they need to succeed.

Book Synopsis

A practical workbook for teens with executive functioning disorder (EFD), ADHD, school stress, procrastination, disorganization, and trouble staying on track.

If you're a teen who feels scattered, overwhelmed, unprepared, or always behind, you're not alone. Maybe you forget assignments, lose track of deadlines, struggle to start homework, zone out in class, or feel frustrated when everyone tells you to "just get organized." These challenges aren't about laziness or lack of intelligence--they're signs that your executive functioning skills need support.

The Executive Functioning Workbook for Teens offers an evidence-based, easy-to-use program to help you build the skills you need to manage school, relationships, responsibilities, and everyday life with more confidence.

Written directly for teens by a licensed school counselor, this workbook provides practical exercises to strengthen the executive functioning skills that help you plan ahead, manage time, stay focused, remember important information, handle frustration, communicate effectively, and follow through on goals.

In this workbook, you'll learn how to:

• Get organized at school, at home, and in daily life
• Manage time, deadlines, homework, and long-term projects
• Improve focus, attention, memory, and follow-through
• Stop procrastinating and start tasks with less stress
• Take better notes and keep track of important information
• Handle frustration, setbacks, and emotional overwhelm
• Build communication skills for teachers, parents, friends, and classmates
• Create routines and strategies that work for your brain

Whether you have executive functioning difficulties, sensory processing challenges, ADHD, autism, or another form of neurodivergence--or simply feel unprepared, late, or scattered--this workbook gives you tools you can use right away. Instead of vague advice, you'll find clear activities, real-life examples, and step-by-step strategies designed to help you feel more capable and in control.

You don't have to figure everything out at once. With practice, support, and the right tools, you can build stronger executive functioning skills--and feel more prepared for school, relationships, and the future.

Note to parents and mental health professionals: This is a wonderful resource for anyone who knows or works with teens who suffer from executive functioning disorder (EFD), including parents, teachers, counselors, or clinicians. From handling frustration to taking notes in class, this book will help teens hone the skills they need to succeed.

Review Quotes

"An excellent resource for students, educators and families. As a middle school counselor, I will definitely use this as a tool to help our students succeed in the area of executive functioning!"
--Lisa Koenecke, Wisconsin School Counselor Association President

"I think it would be an invaluable resource for executive skills coaches and for teachers developing executive skills seminars for groups of students. The activities and exercises are versatile enough that they could be used with individual students or with groups of students--and coaches and seminar leaders could easily pick and choose which executive skills to emphasize and which exercises to use."
--Peg Dawson, EdD, psychologist and author of several books on executive skills, including Smart but Scattered

"Many teens struggle with executive functioning challenges, especially those with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learning disabilities, high functioning autism, or other conditions. This workbook gives these teens (and their parents) strategies to improve their executive functions, which means they can develop skills to improve their lives."
--Dr. Kenny Handelman, author of Attention Difference Disorder

About the Author

Sharon A. Hansen, MSE, NBCT, is a professionally licensed school counselor in Berlin, WI. She has a bachelor's degree in developmental psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, and a master's degree in education with an emphasis in school counseling from the same institution. Hansen is also a National Board Certified School Counselor, and belongs to the Wisconsin School Counselor Association (WSCA) and the American School Counselor Association (ASCA). She lives in Oshkosh, WI.