After years of struggling with traditional executive function strategies that promised change but delivered frustration, many neurodivergent individuals and their families have discovered an approach that truly creates lasting transformation by addressing the root causes of executive function challenges.
The Davis Method represents a fundamental shift in how we understand and support executive function difficulties. Instead of managing symptoms with external tools and behavioral modifications, this approach builds the conceptual foundation that makes strong executive functioning possible.
The Davis Method was developed by Ron Davis, who experienced severe dyslexia and autism himself and understood from personal experience that learning differences stem from how the brain processes information. His breakthrough insight was that many learning and attention challenges arise from confusion about abstract concepts that most educational approaches assume people automatically understand.
When applied to executive function challenges, this insight reveals why so many traditional strategies fail: they’re built on assumptions about conceptual understanding that may not exist for individuals.
At the heart of executive function lie several abstract and foundational concepts that most people take for granted:
Time: This is not about reading a clock, but truly understanding what time means, how it flows, and how to sense its passage.
Sequence: Understanding different types of sequences, what comes before and after, and how steps build upon each other, in order to prioritize and plan.
Cause and Effect: Grasping the relationship between actions and outcomes – positive and negative.
Order vs. Disorder: Recognizing patterns, understanding organization, and knowing how to create ‘order’ in different aspects of life.
Responsibility: Understanding the components that need to be present within self, in order to be able to take responsibility.
For many neurodivergent individuals, these concepts remain partially understood or completely confusing, despite being able to define them verbally. This gap between intellectual knowledge and true understanding creates the foundation for executive function struggles.
The Davis Method uses clay modeling to help individuals create concrete representations of abstract concepts. This hands-on approach allows people to literally build their understanding of time, sequence, cause and effect, and other foundational concepts.
Why clay? Because it engages multiple senses, allows for three-dimensional exploration, and enables people to manipulate and adjust their understanding until concepts become clear. For visual-spatial thinkers especially, this approach transforms confusing abstractions into tangible, understandable realities.
Stephen Martin, host of The Truth About Dyslexia podcast, describes his experience: “It felt like rewiring parts of my brain that had been running on guesswork for years. The clay work helped me understand concepts I thought I already knew but had never truly internalized.”
The Davis Concepts for Life Program provides intensive, one-on-one work with a trained Davis facilitator. Over the course of this individualized program, participants:
This individualized approach allows for complete customization to each person’s learning style, processing preferences, and specific goals and challenges.
The Davis Concepts for Life Workshop teaches parents, professionals, and neurodivergent individuals themselves how to facilitate this transformational process for others, or to better understand themselves.
Over five intensive days, workshop participants learn:
This workshop empowers attendees to become agents of change in their families, classrooms, or therapeutic practices.
Addresses Root Causes: Instead of managing symptoms, the Davis Method builds the conceptual foundation that supports natural executive functioning.
Works with Neurodivergent Strengths: The visual-spatial, hands-on approach aligns with how many neurodivergent brains naturally process information.
Creates Lasting Change: Once someone truly understands foundational concepts, they don’t need to rely on external supports—the skills become internalized.
Reduces Mental Load: Rather than adding more systems to remember and maintain, this approach eliminates the confusion that was creating executive function struggles in the first place.
Individualized and Flexible: The method adapts to each person’s unique processing style and learning needs.
Families and individuals who have experienced the Davis Concepts for Life program or workshop report:
The Davis Concepts for Life is particularly effective for individuals who:
Whether you’re recognizing executive function challenges in yourself or someone you care about, we offer multiple pathways designed to meet different needs:
Want to Learn More First? Watch the replay of our webinar “Beyond the Struggle: Demystifying Executive Function for Neurodivergent Minds” featuring Mary Martin, Melanie Curry, Anne Mataczynski, and Anna Berghamre for additional insights before choosing your path forward. BONUS! Get our Free Executive Function Challenges Checklist to identify exactly where the gaps might be.
Individual Support: Work one-on-one with a trained Davis facilitator through the Davis Concepts for Life Program for personalized, intensive skill building. Find a Facilitator near you Facilitators Archive – Davis – English
Learn to Support Others (or Yourself): Join our Davis Concepts for Life Workshop to learn these life-changing techniques for your family, students, or clients.
September 22-26, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Central Time (US) Transform your understanding of executive function challenges and learn proven solutions. Register now
October 10, 13, 17, 20, 24, 10:30 AM – 6:30 PM NZ / 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM AET Perfect timing for our Australia and New Zealand participants. Register now
Executive function challenges don’t have to be a lifelong struggle managed through external systems and constant effort. The Davis Method offers a path to genuine transformation—one that builds from the ground up and creates lasting change by addressing the foundational concepts that support natural executive functioning.
If you’re ready to move beyond managing symptoms and start building real skills, we invite you to discover how the Davis Method can transform executive function challenges into strengths.
The journey to clearer thinking, better organization, and greater self-confidence begins with understanding. And understanding begins with the right approach.
Read post 2 in this series: The Davis Method: A Different Approach to Executive Function Challenges→