Executive Functioning is Not Motivation: Understanding Capacity Instead of Pushing Harder
About this course
A Certificate of Completion for 1.5 hours of Professional Development will be available for you to download upon completion of this course.
Many autistic, ADHD, and AuDHD people grow up being told they need to try harder, be more organised, or find better motivation. New routines, planners, and systems are often introduced with good intentions — yet they frequently collapse under real-world demands, leaving people feeling frustrated, exhausted, or ashamed.
This course reframes the problem.
Executive functioning is not a motivation issue. It is a neurological capacity issue.
When executive functioning is misunderstood as a lack of effort or willpower, expectations become unrealistic, support strategies miss the mark, and burnout becomes almost inevitable across home, education, and work settings.
In this neuroaffirming course, Barb Cook explores how executive functioning actually works in autistic, ADHD, and AuDHD brains across the lifespan. Rather than focusing on productivity or compliance, the course centres on capacity, regulation, energy, and environment, and what genuinely helps people function day to day without pushing past their limits.
You’ll learn why traditional productivity systems often fail neurodivergent people, how executive functioning fluctuates with stress, sensory load, health, and life demands, and how to plan and support functioning in ways that are sustainable rather than depleting.
This course is grounded in lived experience, professional practice, and current neuroaffirming frameworks, offering practical insights that can be applied immediately — without adding more pressure or complexity.
What This Course Covers
- What executive functioning is and why it is not the same as motivation, effort, or skill
- How executive functioning shows up differently in autistic, ADHD, and AuDHD people
- Common executive functioning differences, including task initiation, time blindness, working memory overload, emotional regulation, and transitions
- Why planners, schedules, and “one-size-fits-all” systems often backfire
- How executive functioning capacity fluctuates across children, teens, and adults
- The emotional impact of misunderstood executive functioning, including shame, burnout, and mislabelled behaviour
- A capacity-based, neuroaffirming framework for planning and daily functioning
- Practical strategies that reduce cognitive load rather than add new demands
- Supporting executive functioning at home, in education settings, and in workplaces
- Planning in ways that prioritise wellbeing, autonomy, and sustainability
Who This Course Is For
- Autistic, ADHD, and AuDHD individuals
- Parents, caregivers, and families
- Teachers, educators, and education support staff
- Allied health professionals and support workers
- Anyone supporting neurodivergent people or navigating executive functioning differences themselves
Key Takeaways
By the end of this course, participants will gain:
- A clear understanding of executive functioning beyond motivation-based myths
- Language to describe executive differences without shame or self-blame
- Insight into why “trying harder” is not an effective or ethical solution
- A framework for recognising capacity limits and planning accordingly
- Practical, neuroaffirming strategies that support functioning in real-world contexts
- Greater confidence in supporting executive functioning without burnout
This course may be claimable for Self & Plan Managed NDIS Participants. Please check with your plan manager/LAC.
Course Content
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PRESENTATION VIDEO: Executive Functioning Is Not Motivation
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Presentation Slides
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Recommended Readings (Books)
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Website Links
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- $39.00
- 1.5 hours of video content
- Certificate of Completion for 1.5 Hours Professional Development
- 60 Days to complete course
Grow your knowledge, starting today
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About the Presenter
Barb Cook, M.Aut.(Ed), Dip.HSc.(Nut)
Registered Developmental Educator | NDIS Registered Specialist Level Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner | Integrative Nutritionist | Accredited Athletics Coach
Barb Cook is a registered Developmental Educator, past Deputy Chair of the Developmental Educators Australia Incorporated (DEAI), NDIS registered Specialist Level Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner, an Integrative Nutritionist, an accredited Australian Athletics Youth Development Coach and accredited athletics coach (specialising in throws) with Australian Track and Field Coaching Association (ATFCA).
Barb was diagnosed with ADHD, autism and dyslexia 2009 bringing a lived experience perspective alongside her clinical and research practice. She is a highly committed advocate, writer, editor, and highly sought-after international speaker. She has made appearances on Australian radio and television, in newspapers and magazines, and in the SBS television documentary The Chameleons: Women with Autism.
Barb holds a Master of Autism degree (education) from the University of Wollongong where she was also a researcher and co-project lead in the area of self-determination and self-advocacy for autistic teens and adults.
Barb takes a holistic approach in working with autistic/ADHD people and is dedicated to improving the overall well-being and quality of life for autistic, ADHD and dyslexic people. She is currently engaged in multiple research projects in the USA including a five year study on A Comparison of Two Brief Suicide Prevention Interventions Tailored for Youth on the Autism Spectrum, Comparing Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy versus Mindfulness-Based Therapy for Autistic Adults, and autism and ageing.
Barb is internationally recognised for her bestselling book on autism in women, Spectrum Women: Walking to the Beat of Autism with Dr Michelle Garnett, filling the gap in literature between lived experience of autistic women and the clinical knowledge. Barb’s second best-selling book co-authored with Yenn Purkis, The Autism and Neurodiversity Self-Advocacy Handbook: Developing Skills to Determine Your Own Future, is an essential guidebook that gives you the tools and strategies to advocate for yourself in any situation, developing your skills in standing up for yourself, your needs and wishes. Barb's third book, Planning Your Career Through Intense Interests is focused on assisting young autistic adults in navigating careers pathways.
Barb is founder of Spectrum Women Magazine and is a prolific writer on autism, ADHD and health and wellbeing.
Barb is a highly sought-after international speaker and presents on a variety of topics. Barb spoke at the World Autism Organisation Congress 2018 in Houston Texas, in 2019 she was invited by the United States government to keynote a special event “A Woman’s Voice: Understanding Autistic Needs” for the National Institute of Mental Health (NIHM) in Washington DC, USA and 2024 spoke with Dr Temple Grandin, Dr Rebecca Evanko and Taylor Heaton in Albuquerque, New Mexico USA at AutFest on autistic women.
Barb was awarded the “A Different Brilliant” award at the Aspect National Recognition Awards in Sydney and the Leadership Support Award from the Neurodiversity Academy in 2021. In 2017 she received a Special Commendation from Queensland’s Governor, his Excellency, Paul De Jersey for the Autism Queensland Creative Futures Awards.
Barb is a passionate motorcyclist and a master's athlete specialising in javelin, discus, and shot put. She is also an all-around athletics coach and a dedicated volunteer at her local athletics club, where she supports young people of all abilities in discovering fun and fitness through athletics. Barb also enjoys roller skating and rollerblading at an outdoor rink near her home, and riding her motorcycle which helps her practice self-care and effectively reduces anxiety and combats depression.
Visit www.neurodiversityhub.com/barb-cook/ and www.barbcook.com.au to learn more about Barb Cook.
Published research:
29 August 2024: Brief Report: Under-Identification of Symptomatic Menopause in Public-Insured Autistic People. Teal W. Benevides, Barb Cook, Laura G. Klinger, Kiley J. McLean, Gregory L. Wallace, Meghan E. Carey, Wei-Lin Lee, Jonas Ventimiglia, Lauren D. Schiff and Lindsay Shea. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. doi.org/10.1007/s10803-024-06516-x https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10803-024-06516-x
19 May 2020: Listening to the autistic voice: Mental health priorities to guide research and practice in autism from a stakeholder-driven project. Teal W Benevides, Stephen Shore, May-Lynn Andresen, Barb Cook, Steven S. Coughlin, Dena L Gassner, Becca Lory Hector, and Lisa Morgan. Sage Journals: Autism doi.org/10.1177/1362361320908410 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1362361320908410
11 May 2020: Interventions to address health outcomes among autistic adults: A systematic review. Teal W. Benevides, Stephen Shore, May-Lynn Andresen, Reid Caplan, Barb Cook, Dena L Gassner, Jasmine M Erves, Taylor M Hazlewood, M Caroline King, Lisa Morgan, Lauren E Murphy, Yenn Purkis, Brigid Rankowski, Sarah M Rutledge, Savannah P Welch and Karl Wittig. Sage Journals: Autism. doi.org/10.1177/1362361320913664 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1362361320913664
