Psyco-Education  

Understanding Your Own Brain: Why Executive Functioning Matters 

 
Every autistic or ADHD individual, child, teen, or adult, needs the opportunity to truly understand how their brain works. This is the foundation for growth, confidence, and real-life progress. 
 
At The Autism & ADHD Advocates CIC, we believe that self-awareness is key. Everyone has strengths and struggles—but for those who are autistic or have ADHD, the challenges often lie within a group of mental skills called executive functioning skills. 
 
These skills include: 
 
Inhibitory Control – stopping yourself from interrupting, blurting out, or reacting too quickly 
 
Flexible Thinking – adapting when plans change, seeing a new perspective, or coping when something doesn't go as expected 
 
Working Memory – remembering what you’re supposed to be doing, even if you're distracted 
 
Task Initiation – being able to get started on something (especially if it’s boring!) 
 
Emotional Regulation – managing frustration, disappointment, or anxiety 
 
Planning and Organisation – keeping track of your time, things, and responsibilities 
 
When these skills are weak, life can feel much harder.  
 
You might struggle to: 
 
Get out the door on time for school or work 
 
Keep your friendships going because of miscommunications or emotional outbursts 
 
Stay focused long enough to finish a task 
 
Cope when something unexpected throws your day off 
 
Explain your needs in a calm, clear way 
 
This happens to both adults and children, and it’s not about laziness or lack of intelligence. It’s about not yet having the tools or understanding to manage these skills. 
 
That’s where psychoeducation workshops come in. 
 
Our workshops are designed to help individuals recognise which executive functioning skills are weaker for them, and which are strengths. Because no two people are the same. You are not a diagnosis. You are a unique person who deserves to understand why things might be going wrong and what to do about it. 
 
And here’s the most important part: these skills can be strengthened. 
Not overnight, but with awareness, strategies, and support, each person can build the tools they need to navigate life more successfully. 
 
If you've ever thought, Why can’t I just get it together like everyone else?, we’re here to help you find that answer—and move forward with confidence.