EXECUTIVE FUNCTION SKILLS: The “Launch Pad Method”

Instead of trying to force a child's brain to remember a long list of items, we use a physical spot to hold that information. It moves the "to-do list" out of their head and onto the wall or floor. This lowers stress for the child and makes the morning much calmer for the whole family.

Think of a Launch Pad (Research-Based) as a "Success Station" in your home. It is a specific, permanent spot—like a shelf, a basket, or a set of hooks near the front door—where everything your child needs for school lives.

For kids with ADHD, remembering where things are (and remembering to take them) is a real physical challenge for their brains. It isn't that they aren't trying; it's that their "mental sticky notes" often get lost.

Here is why it works in simple terms:

• It gives the brain a rest: Instead of your child having to "remember" where their shoes, bag, and homework are, the Launch Pad "remembers" for them.

• It stops the morning "hide-and-seek": When everything has one specific home, you don't have to spend your morning searching under couches or beds.

• It builds independence: Because the items are always in the same place, kids can eventually grab their gear and go without you having to nag or remind them.

How the Success Station (Launch Pad) Works

The idea is to put a reminder in the exact spot where your child needs to see it—right by the door as they are leaving.

1. Setting Up the Space

You don't need fancy furniture to make this work. The goal is to make it as easy as possible to put things away.

2. The Daily "In and Out" Habit

The station only works if it becomes a habit. Think of it like a plane landing and taking off.

A Quick Tip for Families

At first, your child will need you to "coach" them through the landing. Instead of saying "Clean up your stuff," try saying, "Time to land your plane!" and walk with them to the station until they can do it on their own.