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.
The Air Traffic Control Tower in Your Brain: A Field Guide to Planning and Prioritizing
Turn a busy assignment list into a realistic next step. Planning and prioritizing prompts for students, parents, and your Sunday Reset.
Ready, Set… Nothing: The Sticky Starting Line of Task Initiation
Try one visible first step, an agreed cue, and a helpful check-in. Practical task-initiation ideas for students and parents.
The Slow Burn: How to Keep Your Focus Fire Going When It Wants to Fizzle Out
Try a smaller work block, one changed condition, or a return note. Practical sustained-attention supports for students and parents.
The Kettle, Not the Explosion: Learning to Notice the Simmer
Explore emotional control with one clue, one support need, and a practical pause. A kinder experiment for students and parents.
The Juggling Act Nobody Taught You: Making Peace With Working Memory
Explore working memory and try one place to hold instructions, intermediate answers, or next steps. A practical experiment for students and parents.
Asking for Help: Start With One Useful Question
Try one useful question when schoolwork feels tangled. Practical scripts for students and ways parents can help without taking over.
The Speed Bump in Your Brain: Making Room Before You React
By Cara Thorpe, Founder, Yellow Parachute | October 16, 2026 Imagine this classroom moment: a teacher is halfway through a question, and a student already has an answer in the air. Then comes the last part of the [...]
The School Year Is Still a Dress Rehearsal (Not a Final Verdict)
By Cara Thorpe, Founder, Yellow Parachute | October 13, 2026 Picture this: the school year is underway. A syllabus has disappeared, an answer comes out before the teacher finishes the question, and the cleats never make it [...]
EF Skills Spotlight: Why Asking for Help Is the Bravest Back-to-School Move You’ll Make
Wave Your Hand: Why Asking for Help Is the Bravest Back-to-School Move You'll Make By Cara Thorpe, Founder, Yellow Parachute — September 6, 2026 Last week I sat with a mom who had the same two-sentence email open [...]
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 [...]
