Think of working memory as the brain’s “sticky note.” It’s where we temporarily hold onto information so we can use it right away—like remembering a phone number long enough to dial it or keeping the steps of a recipe in mind as we cook. For children with autism, working memory challenges can affect everything from completing routines to learning new skills. They may forget instructions halfway through, lose track of what they’re doing, or struggle to hold onto rules in a gam

Change is a part of life—but for many children, especially those with executive function challenges, it can feel overwhelming. Cognitive flexibility, the ability to shift gears when plans or expectations change, is a cornerstone executive function skill that shapes how smoothly kids can move through everyday routines. As ABA professionals, we see firsthand how even small transitions—like moving from playtime to cleanup, or switching from preferred to non-preferred tasks—can s