The following article expands on highlights and insights from one of our Expert Series events, which are exclusive for Young Scholars and their parents.
Authored by: Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge
Summary
Gifted and twice-exceptional (2e) kids are bright, curious, and full of potential—but when it comes to executive functioning and future thinking, they often struggle. They may have big ideas but get stuck in the details, making it tough to plan ahead, follow through, and manage time effectively. Without these essential skills, even the most capable kids can feel frustrated, overwhelmed, or paralyzed when faced with complex tasks.
That’s because executive functioning isn’t just about attention—it’s about planning, organizing, prioritizing, and self-regulating. And when a child’s nervous system is dysregulated, these skills take a major hit.
The Role of Nervous System Dysregulation
Dysregulation happens when a child is overstimulated or under stimulated, making it difficult to focus, shift between tasks, or manage emotions. When a child is stuck in fight, flight, or freeze mode, the brain isn’t available for higher-level thinking, like planning and problem-solving.
That’s why regulation must come first. Teaching kids simple nervous system regulation techniques—like movement breaks, deep breathing, or sensory strategies—helps create the foundation for stronger executive functioning and future thinking skills.
Teaching Future Thinking
One of the biggest challenges for 2e kids is future thinking—the ability to anticipate challenges, plan for next steps, and see the long-term impact of their choices. They may struggle to connect today’s actions to future success or break big goals into smaller, manageable steps.
The key is teaching them to “think ahead” by working backward. When kids learn to visualize success and map out the steps to reach it, they feel more confident, less overwhelmed, and better equipped to manage their time and responsibilities.
General Tips
Teach Future Thinking: A Simple Strategy
Ask your child: “What would future you want?
- This helps them visualize the outcome they want to achieve.
Work backward to plan the steps:
- Identify the last step they need to take.
- Break it down into milestones that lead up to it.
- Create a timeline or checklist to track progress.
This simple shift helps kids go from feeling stuck to knowing exactly what to do next.
Resources
Want More Strategies?
Future thinking is just one piece of executive functioning! Get my free 2e Executive Functioning Playbook for step-by-step tools to help your child stay on track, get organized, and think ahead. 2E Executive Functioning Playbook – Dr. Roseann.
You’ve got this, and I’m here to help!
Additional Resources:
2e and Executive Functioning
224: Gifted and Struggling: Executive Functioning in Twice Exceptional (2E) Students – Dr. Roseann
Gifted and ADHD
132: Gifted and ADHD with Karen – Dr. Roseann
Executive Functioning Episodes
Executive Functioning Archives – Dr. Roseann
Speaker Bio:
With three decades of experience, Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge has become a trusted leader in children’s mental health, helping families overcome emotional and behavioral hurdles. Specializing in nervous system dysregulation, she provides science-backed tools to support parents of uniquely wired children dealing with under- and overstimulation of the nervous system: ADHD, anxiety, OCD, mood issues, PANS/PANDAS, etc. Her C.A.L.M.S. Dysregulation Protocol™ offers simple steps to build calm, balanced homes.
A three-time bestselling author and top 1% podcaster, Dr. Roseann’s groundbreaking work has been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, and Parents Magazine. Known for her compassionate approach, she empowers parents with actionable solutions to help their children succeed emotionally, behaviorally, and academically. Dr. Roseann is passionate about showing families how to unlock their child’s potential through nervous system regulation and positive, practical support.
Permission Statement
This article is provided as a service of the Davidson Institute for Talent Development, a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to supporting profoundly gifted young people 18 and under. To learn more about the Davidson Institute’s programs, please visit www.DavidsonGifted.org.
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