Although grades serve as one measure of our progress, they should NOT be the only measure! Students with executive functioning deficits (and even those without) benefit when we shift our focus from the outcome to the effort they are making. Not only does this decrease anxiety, it helps develop key EF skills like planning, prioritizing, self-monitoring, and flexible thinking. Building these skills matter more than achieving a perfect score on any one test or class.  When we overemphasize  grades, it can actually make it more difficult for students to develop the executive functioning skills they need! Why? They stop focusing on what they can control in the moment and get overwhelmed with a future outcome. Learn how we can shift our emphasis with our students and why it matters in this episode of ADHD Crash Course!