ADHD Executive Function Toolkit | Task Initiation, Procrastination & Organisation | SEND

A practical ADHD and Executive Function Toolkit designed to support students who struggle with getting started, procrastination, task initiation, prioritising and breaking work into manageable steps.

Ideal for SEND, ADHD support, SENCOs, teaching assistants, pastoral teams and 1:1 intervention, this low-prep resource helps students understand why they may become stuck and gives them practical strategies for moving from:
“I know I need to do it…” to “I know how to start.”

What’s included?

1. Getting Started – Student Worksheet
Students identify:
What makes it difficult for them to begin a task
What being “stuck” looks like for them
Procrastination and avoidance patterns
Strategies that can make starting easier
Their own most useful starting strategy

Strategies include using timers, reducing distractions, identifying the first small action, working alongside someone, using examples and breaking larger tasks down.

2. My Task Starter – Executive Function Planning Sheet
A practical worksheet students can use with real schoolwork to:
Identify exactly what needs to be done
Break a task into smaller steps
Choose the smallest useful first action
Use a 5, 10 or 15-minute starting timer
Decide what needs attention first
Separate urgent tasks from those that can wait
Identify quick, manageable tasks

Includes a simple Do First / Plan for Later / Quick Tasks / Not Now prioritising tool.

3. Teacher / TA Guide
Includes:
Guidance for supporting task initiation
Ideas for making the first step concrete and achievable
Using timers without creating additional pressure
Supporting prioritisation
Reducing reliance on adult prompting over time
Useful conversation starters
Guidance on reviewing which strategies actually work
Ideal for:

ADHD • Executive Function • SEND • SEN • Task Initiation • Procrastination • Organisation • Study Skills • Learning Support • SENCO • Teaching Assistants • Pastoral Support • 1:1 Intervention • Secondary School • KS3 • KS4

Although particularly useful for students with ADHD, the toolkit can also support other pupils who experience difficulties with executive functioning, planning, organisation or task initiation.

This is an educational support and reflection resource, not an ADHD assessment or diagnostic tool.

A simple, pupil-friendly resource that provides students with concrete strategies they can actually use when getting started feels like the hardest part.