BLOSSOM ABA THERAPY Executive Function Pack
Executive Function Pack
A set of four printable tools designed to support task initiation, project planning, time estimation, and scheduling with recovery.
Specifications
- Pack title: Executive Function Pack
- Tools included (4 printable tools):
- Task Starter
- Project Breakdown
- Time Estimator
- Month at a Glance
- Focus areas: task initiation, planning, time estimation, and follow-through
Quick Guide
- Task Starter: Write the task in one sentence, name the very first physical action, set a 5-minute timer, do only that one action, then decide after 5 minutes (keep going, take a 5-minute break and return, or stop and try later and log what made it hard).
- Project Breakdown: Fill in the project and final deadline, do a brain dump of every step you can think of, then reorder steps into a sequence and note where you may get stuck and what you’ll do then.
- Time Estimator: Track tasks for one week by entering estimated time, actual time, and the difference; also note what you tend to underestimate/overestimate and write a new rule for your schedule.
- Month at a Glance: Plan hard/soft deadlines, recurring commitments, and recovery days; record recovery days for the month and protect a specific week where you expect difficulty.
What’s Inside
- 3.1 Task Starter
- 3.2 Project Breakdown
- 3.3 Time Estimator
- 3.4 Month at a Glance
Executive function — the set of skills that handles task initiation, planning, time estimation, and follow-through — is one of the most under-discussed challenges for cognitively able autistic adults. A degree, a job, and a sharp mind do not protect against the very specific friction of getting started. This pack targets the four points where most autistic adults report breakdown.
Task Starter
For when a task is sitting on the list, and you can’t make yourself begin. Six steps to break the freeze.
Name the task in one sentence.Not “study,” but “read chapter 4 of the textbook”
Name the very first physical action.Not “start,” but “open laptop and click the tab”
Set a 5-minute timer.You’re not committing to finish. You’re committing to five minutes.
Done
Do that one physical action. Just that one.Done
After 5 minutes, decide:
- Keep going (another 10 minutes)
- Take a 5-minute break, then come back
- Stop and try again later — log what made it hard
Log it.What helped me start:
__________________________________________________
What got in the way:
__________________________________________________
Starting is harder than continuing. The hard part is the first action, not the rest of the task.
Project Breakdown
For projects that feel too big to start. Brain-dump first, organize second.
PROJECT: __________________________________________________
FINAL DEADLINE: __________________________________________________
Brain Dump — Every step I can think of, in any order
| Step ideas |
|---|
Now Re-Order in Sequence
| Step | Deadline | Done |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | ||
| 2. | ||
| 3. | ||
| 4. | ||
| 5. | ||
| 6. | ||
| 7. |
Where will I get stuck? What will I do then?
__________________________________________________
The plan will change. The point isn’t a perfect plan — it’s converting “do the project” into “do step 1.”
Time Estimator
Track for one week. Calibrate against time blindness.
| Task | Estimated Time | Actual Time | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shower + getting ready | |||
| Morning commute | |||
| Making lunch | |||
| Grocery run | |||
| Replying to emails | |||
| Cleaning kitchen | |||
| Laundry (full cycle) | |||
| ____________________ | |||
| ____________________ | |||
| ____________________ |
What I always UNDERESTIMATE:
__________________________________________________
What I always OVERESTIMATE:
__________________________________________________
New rule for my schedule:
__________________________________________________
Time blindness is not a character flaw. It’s a wiring difference. Calibration tools work better than willpower.
Month at a Glance
Plan deadlines AND recovery. Both are non-negotiable.
MONTH: ____________________
| MON | TUE | WED | THU | FRI | SAT | SUN | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W1 | |||||||
| W2 | |||||||
| W3 | |||||||
| W4 | |||||||
| W5 |
Legend
Hard deadline (cannot move)
Soft deadline (can move with planning)
Recurring commitment (therapy, standing meetings)
Recovery day (protected, no demands)
Recovery days this month: ____________________
The week I’m most worried about: ____________________
What I’ll protect that week: __________________________________________________
A week with no recovery day is a week that will end badly. Schedule rest before the calendar fills up.
Troubleshooting
- Getting stuck at the first step (“freeze”): Use Task Starter’s approach—commit only to the first physical action and a 5-minute timer, then decide what to do after 5 minutes.
- Project feels too big to start: Use Project Breakdown—brain-dump in any order first, then convert the project into “do step 1” by reordering steps into a sequence.
- Time feels hard to estimate (“time blindness”): Use Time Estimator for one week to calibrate by comparing estimated vs. actual time and identify consistent underestimates/overestimates, then set a new scheduling rule.
- Scheduling breaks down mid-month: Use Month at a Glance—plan recovery days as non-negotiable and schedule rest before the calendar fills up.
Documents / Resources
 | Executive Function Pack |
References
- blossomabatherapy.comblossomabatherapy.com
- blossomabatherapy.com/aba-therapy-in-marylandblossomabatherapy.com
- blossomabatherapy.com/aba-therapy-in-north-carolinablossomabatherapy.com
- blossomabatherapy.com/aba-therapy-in-virginiablossomabatherapy.com
- blossomabatherapy.com/georgia-aba-therapyblossomabatherapy.com
- blossomabatherapy.com/tennessee-aba-therapyblossomabatherapy.com
- User Manualmanual.tools