Executive Function vs. Intelligence: Why Smart Kids Still Struggle
“My child is so smart—but their grades are awful.” Sound familiar? Many bright, even gifted, children struggle in school due to executive function challenges. Here’s why. Intelligence Isn’t the Whole Story IQ tests measure reasoning, vocabulary, problem-solving, and memory. But they don’t account for the how of learning—how a student organizes their thoughts, manages their time, or stays focused on a task. That’s where executive function comes in. A Common Misunderstanding When smart kids struggle with focus, deadlines, or organization, adults often assume: In reality, these kids want to do well. They may even overthink and put more pressure on themselves. But EF weaknesses block their ability to show what they know. What It Looks Like The Emotional Toll Smart kids with EF struggles often: How to Help Remember: brilliance and executive function don’t always go hand in hand. Supporting one doesn’t diminish the other—it unlocks it.