Skill BuildingCollege/CareerNeurodiversity/Executive FunctionSocial Emotional/Behavioral

Sarah Ward & Kristen Jacobsen

Start the Year with Organizational Skills for School Success

Noon CST 7 p.m. CST

12:00 pm CST 7:00 pm CST

When

Thu, Aug 21, 2025 @ Noon and 7pm CST

Where

Virtual Event

Program Takeaways:

Time Blindness Hinders Independence
Many students lack the ability to mentally visualize the passage of time, leading to procrastination and missed deadlines.

Mental Movies Matter
Strong executive function starts with students being able to “see” themselves completing tasks — a process called mimetic processing or mental dress rehearsal.

Self-Talk Leads to Self-Start
Students who use inner dialogue (“First I’ll do X, then Y…”) are more successful at initiating and completing tasks.

Situational Awareness Builds Self-Regulation
Teaching students to stop and assess their space, time, materials, and role in a moment builds focus and reduces distractions.

Visual Thinking Unlocks Productivity
Executive function isn’t just about having a planner — it’s about building a mental image of what success looks like and rehearsing that mentally to make it real. Using a working clock helps students “see” their progress over time.

Click here for the presentation slides.

This timely session will help parents and caregivers kick off the school year by equipping their children with essential executive function strategies.

Ward and Jacobsen, co-creators of The Time Tracker Program, will offer actionable tools to help students develop critical skills such as time management, planning, task initiation, and sustained attention. Designed to support learners from elementary through high school, this session emphasizes how students can “see and sense” the passage of time in order to manage both schoolwork and leisure activities more effectively.

Parents will come away with proven methods to help their children become more independent, organized, and confident learners. Whether your student struggles with turning in homework, staying focused, or juggling multiple responsibilities, this session provides practical approaches to fostering long-term success in academics and in life.

Continuing Education Units are available for this program.

Sarah Ward, M.S., CCC/SLP, is an internationally recognized speaker and speech-language pathologist with over 25 years of experience specializing in executive function skills. She is a recipient of multiple awards, including the Massachusetts General Hospital Expertise in Clinical Practice Award. She co-developed The Time Tracker Program, an innovative set of tools and strategies used by students across the country to improve time awareness and planning.

Kristen Jacobsen, M.S., CCC/SLP, is a speech-language pathologist and co-director of Cognitive Connections LLP. With decades of experience working in clinical and school settings, she has designed and implemented executive function curricula for students of all ages. Jacobsen is known for her engaging presentations and practical, brain-based approaches to helping students succeed.