Most families have aspirations of starting a new school year organized and prepared for academic success. For many, that simply involves a basic paper planner or digital calendar. For school-aged kids who have trouble with executive functions—whether they're neurodivergent with a diagnosis of ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, or something else—it can be harder to set them up for success. In an increasingly digitized world, it can be difficult to find the right tools to help kids thrive, especially if they struggle with planning or follow-through.

There's Still a Place for Paper

While many adults can use solely digital means for task completion and management, mapping things out in writing is an important skill kids need to develop executive functioning, says Emily King. As a school psychologist who educates families about neurodiversity through her newsletter and podcast, Learn with Dr. Emily, she regularly helps neurodivergent kids manage school and life tasks. “Our kids' generation, I don't think, can learn on these apps alone. I think they need to learn to use apps and timers for notifications, but I think they need to learn to map out executive functioning tasks on paper.”

One Size Doesn't Fit All

At the same time, King says she knows there is no one-size-fits-all answer. For some kids who struggle with organization, losing papers makes mapping things out in a notebook pointless. “I disagree with anything that says ‘this is better for every brain’ because every single brain is different, and you have to find what works for you,” says King. She adds that for many kids, apps help them remember when to do things, but drawing or mapping those tasks out by hand can help kids figure out how to do things. Thankfully, some programs and tools allow kids to do all of these things in a manner that increases their chances of success.

Requesting Accommodation

When adults are looking for apps to help neurodivergent kids manage their workload and expectations, there are a few key things to note. Apps that show progression and have rewards—even seemingly silly rewards like a new digital pet—can motivate kids through non-preferred tasks. It’s also important for kids to have apps that serve a variety of purposes. Some apps are necessary for organization while others are more geared towards emotional regulation. Both end goals are important, though. Kids who are well-regulated are more likely to be more organized and able to function in school.

For children with 504 plans and IEPs, caregivers can ask that access to these programs be provided to their child as a reasonable accommodation under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act [IDEA]. These apps are flexible, adaptable, and designed to meet some of the most common needs of neurodiverse learners.

More Help With Kid Tech

For more tips on helping kids thrive in a digital world check out our list of what every parent with a connected child needs to know and our guide to accessibility features on Kindles.