Scientists who study child development have recently found that kids who are "smart but scattered" lack or lag behind in crucial executive skills — the core, brain-based habits of mind required to execute tasks like getting organized, staying focused, and controlling emotions. Drawing on this revolutionary discovery, school psychologist Peg Dawson and neuropsychologist Richard Guare have developed an innovative program that parents and teachers can use to strengthen kids' abilities to plan ahead, be efficient, follow through, and get things done. Smart but Scattered provides ways to assess children's strengths and weaknesses and offers guidance on day-to-day issues like following instructions in the classroom, doing homework, completing chores, reducing performance anxiety, and staying cool under pressure. Small steps add up to big improvements, enabling these kids to build the skills they need to live up to their full potential. (http://www.smartbutscatteredkids.com/books/)

Many tens of thousands of parents have used the bestselling Smart but Scattered to teach young kids vital skills for living up to their potential. Now Drs. Richard Guare and Peg Dawson apply their groundbreaking approach to the unique challenges of adolescence. Despite high intelligence, teens with executive skills deficits can be frustratingly disorganized, distractible, forgetful, and moody—leaving worried parents torn between micromanaging and throwing up their hands. This positive guide gives parents step-by-step strategies for promoting teens’ independence by helping them get organized, stay focused, and control their impulses. Drs. Guare and Dawson—joined by Colin Guare, a young adult who has successfully faced these issues himself—present proven tools, vivid stories, and insightful tips for reducing parent–teen conflicts. (Books - Smart But Scattered Kids)