Why Tasks Take Longer: Understanding ADHD, Autism, and Executive Functioning

What looks like procrastination is often a hidden struggle with executive functioning.

“It’s been 45 minutes, and the worksheet still isn’t done.”

If you’ve heard this from your child’s teacher—or said it yourself—you’re not alone. For many families, especially those raising children with ADHD or Autism, this scenario plays out daily. The task seems simple. The effort is there. But the time it takes? Much longer than expected.

So what’s really going on?

The Time Gap: What You See vs. What They Experience

To a neurotypical peer, a worksheet might take 10 minutes. But for a student with ADHD or Autism, that same task can stretch into 30, 45, even 60 minutes. Not because they’re lazy. Not because they’re defiant. But because their brain processes tasks differently.

Executive functioning—the brain’s internal “project manager”—is often underdeveloped or wired differently in neurodivergent students. This affects how they start tasks, stay focused, manage time, and follow multi-step directions.

The Science: A Busy Highway vs. a Clear Path

Imagine your brain as a highway. For neurotypical students, it’s a smooth, multi-lane expressway from “start homework” to “finish and turn it in.”

But for students with ADHD or Autism, that highway is more like a winding, one-lane road with construction zones, detours, and traffic jams. The destination is the same—but the journey takes longer, requires more effort, and often leads to frustration.

Research shows:

• Children with ADHD may experience delays in impulse control and working memory.

• Students with Autism often face rigid thinking patterns and sensory sensitivities that complicate task completion.

• Executive functioning skills typically develop between ages 6–12 in neurotypical children, but may lag significantly in neurodivergent peers.

  
  

The Impact: What This Feels Like for Your Child

This isn’t just about slow work—it’s about emotional toll.

Children may:

• Feel overwhelmed before they even begin.

• Get stuck on step one of a multi-step task.

• Lose track of time or materials.

• Experience anxiety or shutdowns when they fall behind.

• Compare themselves to peers and feel defeated.

And for parents? It can feel like a constant cycle of reminders, negotiations, and emotional exhaustion.

The Support: Building a Toolkit for Success

You can’t change how your child’s brain is wired—but you can help them build the tools to navigate it.

Here are strategies that make a real difference:

• Chunking Tasks: Break assignments into bite-sized steps. One section at a time, with breaks in between.

  
  

• Visual Aids: Use checklists, planners, or visual schedules to map out routines and assignments.

  
  

• Time Management Tools: Timers and “work-break” cycles help maintain focus and momentum.

  
  

• Distraction-Free Zones: Create a consistent workspace with minimal sensory input.

  
  

• Structured Support: Sometimes, routines aren’t enough. That’s where expert guidance comes in.

Expert-Recommended Tools & Resources

In addition to building routines, these expert-vetted tools and resources can provide valuable support for your child and family.

• Time Management Tools: For "work-break" cycles, consider Focus Keeper (a simple app based on the Pomodoro Technique) or Tide, which helps maintain focus with ambient sounds and a built-in timer.

  
  

• Visual Aids: To help your child visualize tasks, Trello is a free and flexible tool that can be used to create to-do lists and schedules. For custom, printable planners, Canva has thousands of free templates.

  
  

• Distraction-Free Zones: When focus is a challenge, apps like Freedom | Block Websites, Apps, and the Internet can block distracting websites and apps to help your child stay on task.

  
  

• Structured Support: For expert-backed information, a sense of community, and free resources on executive functioning and learning differences, consider reputable non-profits like Understood.org and ADDitude Magazine.

  
  

Executive Functioning Tutoring at AES

At Archimedes Educational Services, we specialize in helping students build executive functioning skills through personalized tutoring and our Virtual Homework Café.

Our certified educators work with students to:

• Develop planning and organizational strategies

• Strengthen time management and task initiation

• Build confidence and reduce stress

We don’t just help students complete tasks—we teach them how to manage their own learning journey.

Empower Your Child Today

If your child is struggling to keep up, it’s not a reflection of their effort—it’s a sign they need support tailored to how their brain works.

Explore our Executive Functioning Tutoring and Virtual Homework Café to give your child the tools they need to thrive.