But life was so easy in high school,

For one young man, college was definitely a reality check. While in high school, he flourished both academically and in general life, so when he was off to college, he wasn’t too worried. Yet, when the first few weeks had passed, he realized college wasn’t what he expected. His dishes weren’t getting done, his clothes laid dirty in his closet, his homework and overall environment was disorganized, and he kept forgetting when assignments were due. This then caused him to not only fall behind academically but begin to start feeling anxious. He was worried about how much work was piling up both in a school and life sense, and as it just continued to grow, he became more and more anxious and depressed. As this trend continued, he began hanging out with friends less, not attending class, and eventually dropping out, and as he refused to try again in the fall, his parents began to worry that his lack of executive functioning skills were the reason he couldn’t succeed in college.

Since he was used to his parents always making sure he was on time for things, getting his homework done, and completing all of his chores for him, the young man realized that he was not prepared for college like he had thought. He felt like it was too stressful of a place to be, and since he knew life in the real world wasn’t much different, he didn’t want to leave his parents’ house or get a job at all after dropping out. As time went on, he continued to just rely on his parents for life necessities instead of reaching his fullest potential, all because he was struggling with executive dysfunction.

When it comes to life, executive functioning skills are needed for young adults to be successful not just before college, but during and after as well. Having the skills to properly manage time, multi-task, initiate and complete tasks, self-monitor not only your life, but emotions, and plan and organize all on your own allows for young adults to be confident in their ability to transition and maintain an independent life. Having well developed executive functioning skills can help prevent young adults from becoming overwhelmed and unhappy when working or living on their own, yet it is more common for individuals, especially those with neurodivergent traits, to struggle with it than some may think. According to a study, “as many as 80% of [neurodivergent individuals] also have associated executive functioning challenges.” (Willoughby, 2022).

When young adults are experiencing executive dysfunction, it is also not uncommon for them to drop out of college or decide to move back home even after already moving out and becoming independent in many ways. Another source explains how “Of 25-year-olds who had some college education over half moved back in…” (Banschick, n.d.). This is typically because they cannot maintain their lives on their own. They don’t go to work on time, stay organized, complete tasks, maintain a clean home, and much more without the aid of their parents or others, which can affect their ability to become independent in the future. Although they may be highly intelligent when it comes to school, without executive functioning keeping a flourishing independent lifestyle will be hindered. However, these skills can be learned with the proper aid.

At the College Life Skills Program, our team of Doctoral and Master level professionals utilizes a series of highly individualized strategies, services, and techniques to help neurodivergent young adults who are college bound, in college, and even after college succeed in and after their transition into independent life. We help teach them life skills such as those that pertain to executive functioning so they can be successful in the work world and in life as well as help them learn how to balance independent life on their own, and other executive functioning skills, social skills, and emotional maturity. If your young adult is struggling with life skills, such as executive functioning or the transition into college and adulthood, CollegeLSP has the tools to aid them in achieving and generalizing such skills.

Click here and call now to schedule your FREE 20-minute individualized screening- $150 value

Dr. Eric J. Nach, Ph.D., M.Ed., A.S.D.C., is a Developmental and Behavioral Specialist who specializes in Autism, ADHD and related disorders. Dr. Nach is the founder of the College Life Skills Program where he and his team of professional’s help develop the Emotional Maturity, Executive Functioning, Life Skill and Social Abilities of college students and those high school students preparing for college. The CollegeLSP is a subsidiary program of the Support For Students Growth Center, located in Boca Raton, FL and providing services nationwide.

Willoughby, B. (2022, June 23). Executive functioning explained. The Asperger / Autism Network (AANE). Retrieved July 3, 2022, from https://www.aane.org/executive-functioning-explained/

Banschick, G. (n.d.). Failure to launch: What it is and how to handle it. Psychology Today. Retrieved July 3, 2022, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-intelligent-divorce/202003/failure-launch-what-it-is-and-how-handle-it?amp