The Executive Function OT

04/01/2026

As Autism Awareness Week continues, I’ve been thinking a lot about something I see come up often with families:

What will adulthood actually look like for my child?

It’s a question that can feel heavy.

And too often, the conversation focuses on limitations—what might be difficult, what may not be possible, or what expectations should be lowered.

But there’s another way to look at it.

What if we started with:

What are their strengths?
What environments help them succeed?
What supports allow them to grow?

Because when we do that, things begin to shift.

We start to see opportunities instead of barriers.

Here in New York, organizations like Spectrum Designs have shown what’s possible when individuals are supported in the right way. With structure, understanding, and the right expectations, people are not just “participating”—they are contributing in meaningful ways.

And that’s the goal.

Not perfection.
Not a specific path.
But progress, growth, and meaningful participation.

Every young adult deserves the opportunity to:
✔ try
✔ learn
✔ build skills
✔ and be seen for what they can do

Autism does not limit potential.

But opportunity—and the right support—can determine whether that potential is reached.

If this is something you're navigating with your child or the families you support, you're not alone.

🔗 I wrote more about this here:
https://achievelifeot.com/what-does-adulthood-look-like-for-individuals-with-autism-expanding-opportunities-and-possibilities/

📩 Feel free to reach out anytime:
jlundstedt@achievelifeot.com

As we recognize Autism Awareness-and more importantly, Autism Acceptance-it's important to pause and reflect on a message that is often unintentionally

03/24/2026

As summer approaches, many families start thinking about what their teenager will be doing over the next few months.

For some teens, it’s a first job.

Working at a grocery store.
Helping at a restaurant.
Doing carts.
Landscaping.

These experiences may seem small, but they’re incredibly important.

They’re not just about earning money.

They’re about learning how to be part of the world.

But for many neurodiverse teens, that first summer job isn’t so easy to find.

The environments can be fast-paced, socially demanding, and require a level of independence that may not be there yet.

So instead, many teens end up in summer school.

And that makes sense.

Parents want their child to be supported, structured, and continuing to grow.

But something important can get missed.

Those early work experiences — even the small ones — are hard to replace later.

They help build:
• confidence
• responsibility
• routines
• real-world understanding

And they give young adults a chance to slowly grow into independence.

That doesn’t mean every teen is ready for a job right away.

But it does mean we should be thinking about:

How do we start building those skills earlier rather than later?

Maybe that looks like:
• a small, supported job
• a volunteer opportunity
• or a structured environment focused on building work skills

There’s no one right path.

But the goal isn’t just to stay busy over the summer.

It’s to move forward.

If this is something you're navigating with your teen, you’re not alone.

I wrote more about this and how to think about building meaningful work experiences over time:

🔗 https://achievelifeot.com/why-many-neurodiverse-teens-miss-the-summer-job-and-why-it-matters-more-than-we-think/

📩 Feel free to reach out anytime:
jlundstedt@achievelifeot.com

Sometimes that means starting with something simple.

03/22/2026

Many parents of neurodiverse young adults find themselves asking:

“Why is my child struggling at work… even when they want to succeed?”

It’s easy to assume it’s about motivation.

But more often, it’s about something deeper — executive functioning.

Skills like:

starting tasks

staying organized

managing time

following steps

adapting in real time

These are expected in almost every job… but rarely taught or supported in the workplace.

So when young adults struggle, they’re often labeled as “not a good fit” — when in reality, they may not have been given the right supports to succeed.

I recently wrote a blog diving into this and how we can better support young adults as they transition into the working world.

If this is something you're navigating, you’re not alone — and this may resonate with you.

🔗 Read more here:
https://achievelifeot.com/why-executive-functioning-matters-for-work-readiness-in-neurodiverse-young-adults/

📩 Feel free to reach out anytime:
jlundstedt@achievelifeot.com

These are the same skills that most workplaces rely on every day-often without explicitly recognizing them.

03/12/2026

Many families of neurodiverse young adults ask the same question as graduation approaches:

“Is my child actually ready for work?”

We often hear that the best preparation for adulthood is simply to immerse students in the real world. But in practice, many young adults with executive functioning challenges, processing differences, or sensory sensitivities are placed into environments that move far faster than their learning curve allows.

When that happens, failure can occur before growth has the chance to happen.

Research continues to show that structured vocational experiences during the transition years are one of the strongest predictors of long-term employment success for individuals with disabilities. The opportunity to explore different work tasks, build stamina, and develop workplace routines can make a tremendous difference.

Yet many families struggle to find environments designed specifically for vocational exploration rather than immediate job placement.

I recently wrote about this challenge and why understanding strengths, obstacles, and environmental fit is such an important step in helping young adults move toward meaningful employment.

If you work with families navigating this transition, you may find this article helpful.

https://achievelifeot.com/is-my-neurodiverse-young-adult-ready-for-work-understanding-the-transition-to-employment/

Without that exploration, the transition into employment can feel like trial and error.

09/01/2025

This is a really good explanation of the over distribution of ADHD meds for younger kids. I am in no way against medications, but I do believe there is a time and place. Start with lifestyle change and then go from there. We have to focus on lifestyle first. There are things we can do to help our kids or ourselves.

02/25/2025

Occupational therapy is key in empowering students facing executive function challenges, promoting their independence for school and life! With up to 30% of K-12 students experiencing these difficulties, the impact on their functionality can be significant. Addressing these needs early can help prevent challenges as they transition to adulthood. Let’s bridge that gap together! Have you seen students struggling in these areas? Share your experiences below! Together, we can create a supportive community for those in need!

02/03/2025

Calling all school professionals: Are you eager to support students facing executive function challenges? Our upcoming course is just what you need! Dive into 'Unlocking Potential: Overcoming Executive Function Deficits in Schools,' a one-day live online event on February 18, 2025. Are you ready to transform your intervention tactics? Let's make a difference together!
https://www.executivefunctionot.com/Unlocking-Potential-Overcoming-Executive-Function-Deficits-in-Schools

02/03/2025

Are you tearing your hair out pushing your child towards goals that you feel are necessary, but might not be their own? It’s time to shift the focus! Helping them identify their own goals is a crucial first step. It’s not about setting your expectations but empowering them to identify and pursue their own goals! Once they do that they can identify the obstacles preventing them from achieving which is often the goal you were seeking out for them! Remember, you’re there to facilitate their journey, not direct it. Together, let’s unlock their potential!

Have you ever seen a change in your child when you focus on their goals? It's a game changer! Share your experiences!

01/28/2025

Are you ready to transform the lives of students and clients with executive function challenges? Our upcoming live course, "Unlocking Potential: Overcoming Executive Function Deficits in Schools," is your gateway to mastering effective intervention strategies. Join us on February 18, 2025, for this insightful one-day online event and discover how you can enhance your skills and boost your career! Want to know more about our course offerings and CEU credits? Comment below, and let's chat!

01/28/2025

Many people associate executive function deficits with ADHD, but it's just the tip of the iceberg. It is so important to recognize the different diagnoses and the importance of cognitive development when creating expectations for your individual When creating expectations for your individual, it is this is While ADHD is the most TALKED ABOUT diagnosis because it directly coincides with executive function, there are so many more diagnoses that could be helped with cognitive interventions to promote functional development. Remember, cognitive development does not peak until the mid-20s, so while starting young is helpful, there is considerable time for change!

If you live in New York and you're looking for help for your individual with executive function deficits contact us!

01/27/2025

Sunday nights can be tough for many students because that means thinking about the unexpected coming up in the new week. From tests to social interactions to planning for after-school appointments and activities, it hits them all at once because it is now the end of the weekend. With poor time awareness, often the end of something ignites the beginning of a whole lot more. Something to be aware of when suddenly your child starts acting withdrawn or short-tempered on a Sunday...

01/23/2025

🖊️ OTs, Are You Ready to Transform How You Approach Student Success? 🖊️

💭 Did you know?
Executive functioning isn’t just about planning and organization—it’s the foundation for so many other skills!

✋ Struggling with handwriting?
👀 Trouble with visual motor coordination?
🎯 Difficulty staying on task?

🧠 It all connects back to executive functioning—and YOU have the power to help your students build these critical skills!

🎓 On February 18th, join my live, online course that will equip you with:
✨ A deeper understanding of the neuroscience behind EF.
🔧 Practical strategies to integrate EF interventions into OT sessions.
📚 Tools to enhance your students’ functional skills and independence.

💬 Want to make a lasting impact on your students? Comment “I’m interested!” or message me for more details!