By Tara Carman-French
Try This Month: Externalize the Brain
ADHD and learning disabilities typically impact working memory—the ability to hold information in mind while using it. That’s why reminders vanish, instructions get lost, and tasks fall apart halfway through.
This isn’t carelessness. It’s a brain doing too much invisible work.
This month’s focus: stop expecting the brain to hold everything.
Try this month:
Choose one thing to externalize. That might be:
- A checklist instead of mental tracking
- A visual schedule instead of verbal reminders
- A timer instead of “remembering the time”
- Notes, labels, alarms, or visuals
External supports don’t mean someone is less capable—they mean they’re working with their brain instead of against it. Glasses don’t weaken eyesight. They support it. The same is true here.
If you’re supporting a child or student, model this openly. Say things like, “My brain needs help remembering, so I write it down.” That normalizes support instead of turning it into something special or shameful.
This month builds on reducing overload. When information lives outside the brain, there’s more energy available for understanding, creativity, and follow-through.
Next month, we’ll look at task initiation—and how shrinking tasks can make starting possible.
I would love to hear how this Try This Month worked or didn’t work for you. Drop us a comment on our social media or connect with us directly at [email protected].
