Yellow Parachute Blog
Yellow Parachute’s Blog Mission
Our blog mission is to share the research and resources that inform our unique approach to coaching Executive Function Skills, to advocate for neurodiversity, and to uplift students, parents, educators, and leaders.
Well, (Now) I Know I’m Not My Teacher’s Least Favorite Student
As an executive function (EF) skills coach, I get to witness transformation happen in small, powerful ways. One student once said to me, after dragging his heels for weeks about going to his teacher’s office hours, “Well, (now) [...]
When the Unimaginable Becomes A Reality
In the wake of the Annunciation Catholic School shooting in Minneapolis, families everywhere are reeling with grief, fear, and uncertainty as a new school year begins. Compassionate, practical, and authentic advice can help create a sense of solidarity, [...]
The (Surprising) Reason Why Students Aren’t Taking ADHD Medication
Many students with ADHD turn down stimulant medication not just because of concerns about side effects or personality changes, but due to a surprising—and deeply personal—belief: they feel they should be able to manage their symptoms without medication. While [...]
The Pillars of Progress: Trust, Experience, and Safety for the ADHD Brain in Coaching and Counseling
When it comes to coaching and counseling, individuals with ADHD don’t just need someone who “knows best”—they need someone who truly gets it. The road to positive change is paved not just with expertise, but with authentic connection. [...]
How to Make the Smartest Choice in ACT Test Prep: A Guide for Parents and Students
Choosing the right ACT Test Prep program for your student is a significant investment—of money, energy, and time. With so many choices and promises in the test prep market, it’s important to look beyond marketing headlines and promises [...]
Why Early ADHD Diagnosis is a Game-Changer for Student Mindset
Picture this: It’s a Thursday morning in an elementary classroom. One student, let’s call him Max, is bouncing in his seat. His worksheet floats to the floor as he pencil-taps a frenetic rhythm that could summon a [...]
Ditch the Summer Worksheets—Level Up with Executive Function Skills (and a Daily Planner!)
Parents, let’s be honest: summer skills review worksheets rarely spark joy for kids—or adults! If you’re looking for a powerful, practical way to keep your child learning this summer (even with limited time for academics), it’s time to [...]
Understanding the Link Between ADHD and Anxiety
Image Credit: Neurodivergent Insights, Dr. Neff Understanding the Link Between ADHD and Anxiety Ever wonder why ADHD and anxiety seem to show up together so often? About half of adults with ADHD also experience some form of anxiety [...]
Getting it Done vs. Getting It: The Power of Meaningful Practice With Your Homework
Students: Do you rush through your homework just to check it off your to-do list? If you answered “yes,” you’re not alone. After all, you’ve been in school all day, and the work you still have to do [...]
How to Set Goals That Actually Inspire You
Setting goals and benchmarks that genuinely motivate you—enabling you to pursue what you care about instead of what you think you “should” be doing to make everyone else happy—is vital for achieving success. Read that again. 💛 [...]
The Executive Function Detective Lens + Its Secret Decoding Powers
Calling all aspiring detectives! It's time to dust off your magnifying glasses and don your thinking caps because we're about to embark on a thrilling investigation into the world of Executive Function (EF) Skills. But fear not, dear [...]
How to Improve Task Initiation: The Key to Unlocking Productivity and Success
Task initiation is a crucial executive function skill that plays a vital role in academic and personal success. For students, parents, and teachers alike, understanding and practicing this skill can make a significant difference in productivity and [...]
It’s About to Get a Little Bit Bossy in Here – Kicking off 2025 With Parenting Advice You Didn’t Ask For 😬
On this Eve of New Year's Eve, I'm feeling reflective and cozy, maybe a little nostalgic for Holidays of old. Everyone's home, and we've got a little bit more time together; it's hard to imagine there was [...]
Dopamine: The Brain’s Feel-Good Chemical and How to Boost It
Dopamine is a fascinating neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in your brain's reward system, motivation, and motor control. This powerful chemical messenger is responsible for the feelings of reward and satisfaction you experience when you accomplish [...]
The Glorious Reframe: Transforming ADHD Challenges into Opportunities
Living with ADHD can feel like running uphill both ways, every-day, when it comes to activating executive function skills to get things done. However, there's a powerful tool that can help: the glorious reframe. This mind-opening strategy allows [...]
Gratitude at Thanksgiving: Reflecting on Malala Yousafzai’s Story
Malala Yousafzai graduated from Oxford University in 2020; her path to this achievement was very different from any you or I will ever take. Just before Thanksgiving this year, I had the chance to work with one of [...]
Unlocking the Brain’s Social Superpowers in Education and Coaching
Interpersonal neurobiology (IPNB) is like the brain’s social party planner, diving into how our relationships and interactions jazz up our brain development and happiness. This brainy mashup, developed in the 1990s by Dr. Daniel J. Siegal, Dr. Allan [...]
Unlocking the Power of Insight: From Knowledge to Action
I tried my first blog post using AI today - I kinda like it! I got super-specific on exactly what I wanted to write about, the voice I wanted to write it in, and the subject matter [...]
