Executive functioning
Executive functioning evaluations for children and teens
Your child knows the material, but starting, planning, organizing and finishing work is a daily struggle. An evaluation shows what is getting in the way and what will help.
Serving Long Island & Queens, NY
Dr. Courtney Duhning, Psy.D., ABSNP, NCSPPediatric Neuropsychologist · Manhasset, NY
The basics
What executive functioning is
Executive functioning is the set of skills that turns knowing what to do into actually doing it: planning, organizing, getting started, keeping track of time, holding information in mind while working, shifting between tasks, and checking work. When these skills are weaker than a child’s ability, school becomes harder than it should be, even for very bright students.
Signs to look for
What parents often notice
Homework takes far longer than it should, or never gets started without help
Assignments are finished but not handed in
Long-term projects are left until the last minute
Materials, notes and deadlines get lost
Your child knows the answer but loses track of the steps
School felt manageable until the workload and independence increased
The evaluation
Why an evaluation helps
Difficulties with attention and follow-through can come from executive functioning weaknesses, ADHD, learning differences, anxiety, or a combination. A neuropsychological evaluation directly measures attention, working memory, processing speed and executive functioning, alongside language, memory and academic skills, so you understand which of these is driving the difficulty rather than guessing.
You receive a detailed written report and a feedback meeting with clear, practical recommendations for school and home, including supports and accommodations where appropriate.
FAQ
Questions parents ask about executive functioning
Is an executive functioning difficulty the same as ADHD?
Not always. Many children with ADHD have executive functioning weaknesses, but executive functioning difficulties can also appear alongside learning differences, anxiety or other factors. An evaluation helps tell these apart, so support targets the right thing.
At what age can executive functioning be evaluated?
Dr. Duhning evaluates children and teens ages 5 to 20. Concerns often become clearer in later elementary and middle school, when work becomes more independent and multi-step.
Will the evaluation help with school accommodations?
The report describes your child’s profile and needs and can be shared with the school team as part of discussions about supports or accommodations. Eligibility decisions are made by the school.
How long does the evaluation take?
Usually two to three in-person testing sessions of about two hours each, followed by a feedback meeting to review the results and recommendations.
Understand what is getting in the way
Start with a free 15-minute phone consultation to talk through what you’re seeing at home and at school.
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