Executive function skills—planning, organization, emotional regulation, task initiation, and follow-through—are the foundation of independence, resilience, and success in adulthood. Yet for many teens and young adults—especially those with ADHD, anxiety, learning differences, or gifted/twice-exceptional profiles—these skills develop unevenly and under intense pressure.

On January 12, Emerging Founder & CEO Laura Barr was joined by expert clinicians Dr Elly Maras & Dr Kim Yoshino from Birch Psychology for a thoughtful, research-informed conversation about executive function development in today’s world—and what parents can do to support it.

This conversation blended clinical insight, educational strategy, and real-world application to help families better understand how the brain develops, why teens struggle, and how they build skills that actually stick.

The Intersection of Social Milestones & Brain Development

1. How advances in technology and social media have influenced adolescent brain development
2. Social experiences teens are gaining—and missing—compared to previous generations
3. How delayed independence can impact the development of executive function skills

Technology as a Double-Edged Sword

1. Ways technology can support executive function through tools like organization systems, reminders, and scaffolding
2. How technology can undermine executive function by impacting focus, emotional regulation, and task initiation
3. How families can establish healthier, more intentional boundaries around technology use

What Parents Can Do to Prepare Their Teens

1. Realistic ways parents can support executive function skill development at home
2. What helps teens internalize executive function skills rather than relying on constant reminders or external pressure
3. When executive function coaching is helpful and when a clinical assessment or therapy may be more appropriate

Executive function challenges are often mistaken for lack of motivation or effort. In reality, they reflect skill gaps shaped by brain development, stress, environment, and modern demands. This conversation helped parents shift from frustration to understanding—and from micromanaging to meaningful support.

Dr Elly Maras

Licensed clinician & trained school psychologist specializing in ADHD, neurodiversity, trauma-informed assessment, and family-centered therapy. Read Elly’s full bio.

Dr Kim Bowers Yoshino

Doctoral-level psychologist with expertise in ADHD, giftedness, twice-exceptionality, emotional regulation, and special education systems and advocacy. Read Kim’s full bio.

1. Learn more about Birch Psychology
2. Emerging’s Executive Function Coaching Pricing Guide - Empowering students with skills for academic success and life beyond the classroom
3. Executive Function: A Complete Family Guide - A comprehensive resource from Emerging for understanding, supporting, and strengthening executive function in high school teens
4. Feel like we might be a great fit but not sure exactly what services your student might need? Tell us your story! Tell us about their interests, passions, struggles, and the outcome you’re hoping for and we’ll be in touch!
5. Fill out the Executive Skills Questionnaire from Peg Dawson & Richard Guare