9 Comments
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Denise Servais's avatar

Really clear and useful. Understanding executive function as state-dependent explains a lot. I see this play out constantly with my students as a SLP.

Vikky Leaney's avatar

Thank you. It's when things really start to change once we understand that everything is state dependent.

Deepak Shukla's avatar

This hit me. Neurodivergent productivity isn’t laziness or discipline, it’s about variable capacity. Food, energy, environment, they aren’t minor hacks, they’re essential scaffolds for getting things done 👍🏽

Vikky Leaney's avatar

Absolutely. Scaffolding is the perfect term for this.

Dr KB's avatar

This is a fantastic, clear, and accessible explanation of a concept that many people find quite abstract. I often notice that breaking down the different parts of executive function can really be a lightbulb moment for patients. Your use of Brown's model is a wonderful way to structure that discussion. The link you make between the HALTS-UH framework and executive function capacity is especially helpful. It externalises the issue, shifting it from a moral failing ("I'm lazy") to a state-dependent capacity problem ("My brain is offline because I'm exhausted"). That change is crucial for fostering self-compassion and for finding strategies that truly work. It’s a really helpful resource, I'm sure many will benefit from.

Vikky Leaney's avatar

Thank you for such a lovely comment. It's good to hear from a doctor that my connection of the HALTS-UH framework and Brown's model makes sense.

Morgan Caldwell's avatar

Thanks for sharing! Some days mine are lagging

Tracy Friedlander's avatar

Sometimes just taking a break is what you need. These are great things to keep in mind, Vikky!

Vikky Leaney's avatar

Taking a break is definitely a way to calm the nervous system and thus executive functioning.