Executive Functioning and the Adolescent Brain

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Executive functioning is one of the most important yet often misunderstood areas of adolescent brain development. These skills shape how teens plan, organize, remember, prioritize, and follow through on tasks. When executive functioning develops unevenly, it can show up as missed assignments, self-sabotage, conflict at home, or difficulty with accountability. For many parents, teachers, and clinicians, the challenge lies in knowing whether a teen’s struggles come from lack of motivation or simply from a brain that is still building the skills it needs to succeed.

In this episode of the Turning Winds Podcast, host Kevin Zundl speaks with clinical expert Jared Sartell about how executive functioning unfolds during adolescence and why this stage of life requires both patience and intentional support. Jared explains the 15 executive functioning skills that every adult relies on, including working memory, impulse control, initiation, and organization. Learn why these skills do not fully mature until the mid-twenties and why middle school is often the point where academic and behavioral challenges become more visible. Parents may suddenly feel their child “should” be able to handle responsibilities, when in reality the brain is not yet fully equipped to manage them.

The conversation explores how treatment programs like Turning Winds can step in at this critical stage. By assessing executive function deficits, providing direct coaching, and creating structured opportunities for growth, clinicians can help teens develop healthy compensations and strategies that reduce risky behavior and improve academic performance. Jared shares examples of how executive functioning deficits can affect everything from turning in homework to managing emotions, and why targeted interventions make such a difference in treatment.

You will also hear personal reflections on the challenges of parenting through this developmental stage. Kevin and Jared talk about the role of grace, the importance of calibrating expectations to a teen’s actual age and developmental capacity, and the risks of shame when accountability is enforced without understanding. They highlight how a team-based clinical approach at Turning Winds allows staff to balance high expectations with realistic developmental benchmarks, preventing frustration while promoting resilience.

Parents, educators, and professionals will gain practical insights into questions such as:

• Why do some teens appear capable one day and unmotivated the next?
• How do hormones, social identity, and cognitive maturity interact with executive functioning?
• What strategies can parents use to maintain accountability without sliding into conflict?
• How can treatment programs provide concentrated, daily support that accelerates growth in executive functioning skills?

Executive functioning is not just about academics but about life. Teens who develop these skills are more capable of making safe choices, building healthy relationships, and preparing for adulthood. Treatment settings like Turning Winds give adolescents the chance to strengthen these capacities in a structured environment where clinical and academic support work hand in hand.

If you are a parent of a teenager who is struggling with motivation, accountability, or behavioral issues, understanding executive functioning may be the key to unlocking their potential. By learning how the adolescent brain develops and how treatment providers can help, you can begin to see new possibilities for your child’s growth and success.

To learn more about Turning Winds, visit turningwinds.com or call 800-845-1380.