How is executive functioning addressed in an ADHD IEP plan?

PostedSeptember 28, 2025

UpdatedSeptember 28, 2025

ByMy Patient Advice

Author: Avery Lombardi, MSc | Reviewed by: Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

For many students with ADHD, the biggest academic hurdles stem not from intelligence but from executive functioning challenges. That’s why ADHD executive functioning goals are a critical part of a well-structured IEP. These goals target skills like organising materials, managing time, starting tasks, and remembering instructions skills that are foundational for classroom success.

By addressing these specific deficits through tailored support and measurable objectives, schools help ADHD learners build the habits they need for independence and growth.

Key Areas of Executive Function Support

Here’s how IEPs incorporate support for organisational skills, working memory support, and planning strategies:

Organisation

Goal: The student will use a colour-coded folder system to keep track of assignments in all core subjects, reviewed weekly by a teacher. This helps reduce lost homework and clutter-induced stress.

Task initiation

Goal: With teacher prompting, the student will begin independent tasks within 3 minutes in 4 out of 5 class periods. Supports reduced procrastination and smoother transitions.

Working memory

Support: Access to written instructions, visual schedules, or step-by-step checklists to reinforce verbal directions. These tools reduce overload and help students recall complex instructions.

Planning and time management

Goal: The student will break down large assignments into smaller tasks using a planner, completing 80% of tasks by the assigned due dates. Builds forward-thinking and goal-setting capacity.

Self-monitoring

Goal: The student will track on-task behaviour with a self-check system and review results with a teacher weekly. Encourages self-reflection and personal responsibility.

In conclusion, supporting ADHD executive functioning goals is not just academic, it’s a life skill that empowers long after school ends.

Visit providers like ADHD Certify for personal consultations and expert guidance tailored to your unique situation.

For a deeper dive into the science, diagnosis, and full treatment landscape, read our complete guide to Classroom accommodations for ADHD.

Avery Lombardi, MSc

Author

Avery Lombardi is a clinical psychologist with a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and a Bachelor’s in Psychology. She has professional experience in psychological assessment, evidence-based therapy, and research, working with both child and adult populations. Avery has provided clinical services in hospital, educational, and community settings, delivering interventions such as CBT, DBT, and tailored treatment plans for conditions including anxiety, depression, and developmental disorders. She has also contributed to research on self-stigma, self-esteem, and medication adherence in psychotic patients, and has created educational content on ADHD, treatment options, and daily coping strategies.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the author's privacy.

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Reviewer

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez is a UK-trained physician with an MBBS and experience in general surgery, cardiology, internal medicine, gynecology, intensive care, and emergency medicine. She has managed critically ill patients, stabilised acute trauma cases, and provided comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care. In psychiatry, Dr. Fernandez has worked with psychotic, mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders, applying evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT, and mindfulness-based therapies. Her skills span patient assessment, treatment planning, and the integration of digital health solutions to support mental well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the reviewer's privacy.