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The Invisible Struggle: What’s Really Behind Task Completion

June 2025 | Executive Functioning

Have you ever seen your child stare blankly at a worksheet or wander off after finally starting their science project? It might not be disinterest or defiance. More often, it’s a challenge with executive functioning—the brain’s “management system.”

What is Executive Functioning and Why Does It Matter?

Executive functioning is like the brain’s management system. It helps us plan, focus, remember steps, and follow through. Think of it like an air traffic controller at a busy airport—keeping everything moving safely and in order.

When this system is strong, kids (and adults!) can start tasks, stay focused, adjust when things get tough, and actually finish what they started.

But when it's weak or still developing (which is completely normal), it can feel impossible to do something as simple as start a worksheet, clean a room, or write an essay—especially without reminders or support.

Why Is Task Completion So Difficult?

That is a great question! The most straightforward answer? Because it's not just one skill; it's a whole bunch of skills working together. That means many different factors can affect whether someone is successful in completing a task. These may include internal challenges like organization and motivation, as well as external obstacles such as distractions and unclear instructions..

Since task completion relies on multiple skills, even one weak link can make the whole task feel overwhelming.

Some common barriers include:

- - Lack of clarity about expectations
  - Fear of failure or anxiety about making mistakes
  - Mental and physical exhaustion
  - Limited access to resources
  - Language and cultural barriers

But Isn’t This Just a Normal Part of Growing Up?

Yes—to a point! All kids need guidance at some point, especially younger ones.

So, how do you know when typical difficulty ends and dysregulation (that warrants attention and support) starts?

Great question—and although there is no straight-forward, one-size-fits-all answer, check out the quick guide below, which helps parents navigate what is developmentally typical and when it might be time to step in with support.

When to Watch vs. When to Worry

A quick guide for parents

If you find yourself checking more boxes in the second column consistently, your child may benefit from targeted executive function support.

What You Don’t See: Spotting the Hidden Challenges
As you can imagine, task completion issues in students often arise from a complex interplay of cognitive skills, emotional well-being, task-related factors, and a student's surrounding environment. It’s not always easy to spot the difficulties of a student who struggles with executive function, especially as it relates to task completion. Kids don’t usually say, “I’m having trouble initiating tasks due to weak executive functioning.”

Instead, they might:

Wander off
Get upset
Say, “I don’t know what to do!”
Complain that a task is boring
Or simply freeze up

The internal struggle is real—and invisible. As parents, we must learn to see the hidden needs behind the behavior.

From Finish to Start: Helping Kids See the Steps

Often, students hesitate to start or complete a task because they struggle with visualizing the end product. But be encouraged—there are simple strategies we can employ as parents/guardians that might just help. For example, instead of saying “Start your work,” try:

“Let’s figure out what done looks like.”

Then break a task down backward: End goal: Write a paragraph about frogs

➡ Step 1: Brainstorm 3 frog facts
➡ Step 2: Write one sentence per fact
➡ Step 3: Add an intro and closing
➡ Step 4: Read aloud and make one fix

Working backward creates a roadmap. Students see the path, so they can walk the path.

Small Shifts, Big Impact: Practical Tools for Home Learning

No fancy degrees or complicated systems needed—just a few simple shifts:

Break Big Tasks into Smaller Steps (e.g., sticky notes, dry-erase boards. Students crumble as they go)

Make the Invisible, Visible (e.g., times, charts, checklist that makes expectations seen, not just verbal)

Create Predictable Routines (e.g., am and pm routines provide consistency and reduce resistance)

Try "When-Then" Language (e.g., When you finish writing, you can go outside; simple and motivating)

They’re Still Growing—And That’s Okay

Executive functioning doesn’t fully mature until young adulthood—and that’s okay. In the meantime, our job is to teach, model, and support the process. That means:

Noticing what’s typical and what’s not
Starting with the end in mind
Breaking tasks into pieces
Celebrating small wins
And remembering—it’s not about perfection. It’s about progress.

Your Support Matters

When we understand that task completion is tied to developing executive function skills—not just effort or willpower—we can approach our kids with more empathy and effectiveness. The goal isn't to fix them or rush them through maturity, but to walk alongside them as guides, coaches, and safe places to grow.

So, take a deep breath. Lean into the process. Know that the struggles you see today are not signs of failure—they’re invitations to connect, teach, and empower.

Because with the right support, every child can build the skills they need to thrive—not overnight, but over time.

And you're just the person to help them do it.

TASK COMPLETION & EXECUTIVE FUNCTION SUPPORT RESOURCES

This is not intended to be an exhaustive list, but it includes a few tools to get you started.

Here’s a list of practical resources and websites that support task completion and executive functioning, especially helpful for parents of neurodivergent or struggling learners:

Tools & Printables

EFM Executive Functioning Toolkit - Practical guides, strategy cards, and visuals designed to help parents support their child’s task completion, organization, and emotional regulation.
Understood.org Free Printables - Offers checklists, task cards, visual schedules, and planners tailored for kids with learning and thinking differences.

Books for Parents & Educators

Smart but Scattered by Peg Dawson & Richard Guare
Clear guidance and tools for helping children build executive skills step-by-step.
The Explosive Child by Ross W. Greene
A collaborative approach to working with kids who struggle with emotional regulation and task follow-through.
Late, Lost, and Unprepared by Joyce Cooper-Kahn and Laurie Dietzel
Focuses on practical strategies for everyday executive function challenges.

Apps to Support Task Completion

Time Timer - Helps kids visually manage time and stay on task. Great for transitions and chunking assignments.
Brili Routines - A kid-friendly app for building and sticking to personalized routines, helpful for task initiation and independence.
Todoist or Trello (with parent support) - Simple digital task managers that work well for teens or families organizing multiple responsibilities.

Websites with Expert Advice & Community

ADDitude Magazine - Offers strategies, downloads, and expert Q&As on executive function, ADHD, and school support.
CHADD.org (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) - Resources, local support groups, and webinars for families navigating attention and task completion issues.
The Inspired Treehouse - Especially great for younger children—provides therapist-approved activities to build regulation, focus, and routine.

Are you looking for more community to support your homeschool journey? Consider joining our Facebook group. Connect with like-minded educators, gain encouragement, and access valuable resources—all to help the next generation thrive!

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