All Aboard: The Executive Function Express
A Transformative Guide to Building Essential Skills Through Visual Learning and Strength-Based Support
The Executive Function Express is not just a book, it’s a roadmap for helping children thrive. Built around a playful and powerful train-themed visual model, this comprehensive guide reimagines how we teach and support executive function skills like planning, organization, time management, self-regulation, and attention.
Created by Dr. Cara Koscinski, a seasoned pediatric occupational therapist and mother of neurodiverse children, this 450+ page resource is packed with practical tools, printable visuals, and evidence-based strategies. Whether you’re an educator, therapist, or parent, you’ll find step-by-step support that’s clear, compassionate, and immediately applicable.
Each executive function skill is mapped to a specific part of a train system, helping children (and adults!) visualize how their brain works to keep them “on track.” This approach makes abstract concepts accessible, relatable, and fun to learn.
Grounded in interoception, sensory integration, and a strengths-based philosophy, The Executive Function Express empowers kids with ADHD, autism, learning differences, or general EF struggles to build the tools they need for success in the classroom and beyond.
This is more than a book—it’s a journey. And your ticket is waiting.
What’s Inside the Executive Function Express?
Discover over 450 pages of brain-building support, organized to make teaching executive function simple, visual, and actionable. Inside the book, you’ll find:
🚂 The Executive Function Express Model
A creative train-themed framework where each part of the train system represents a different executive function, planning, attention, flexibility, metacognition, memory, time management, and more. Our visual representations of EF concepts is not only easy to understand but helps kids to advocate for their learning.
🧠 Skill-by-Skill Breakdowns
Clear explanations of each executive function with real-world examples, child-friendly language, and strategies tied to development, behavior, and classroom success. Detailed instructions for immediate use.
🎯 Visual Tools & Charts
Over 50 visual supports and checklists designed to make abstract cognitive skills concrete, and support diverse learning needs.
📘 Activities
Engaging, strengths-based activities, movement ideas (move the train, build the brain), and activity downloads that help kids practice planning, reflect on thinking, build routines, and gain self-awareness in everyday tasks.
💡 Therapist- and Teacher-Friendly Language
Professional insights made practical. Perfect for IEP teams, therapy sessions, or classroom interventions - without the jargon.
👂 Interoception & Regulation Integration
Body-based strategies and interoception reflection are woven throughout, helping kids connect their internal cues with self-regulation and thinking.
🤝 Parent & Caregiver Guidance
Hundreds of tips and tools for building EF skills at home, improving communication, and supporting independence with compassion and clarity.
Who Uses the EF Express?
Therapists
The Executive Function Express program provides therapists with a structured, visual framework to assess, teach, and support executive function skills in a meaningful way. Rooted in neuroscience and regulation, the train-themed model helps clients of all ages understand how their brain works, making skills like inhibition, working memory, and cognitive flexibility both relatable and actionable. With over 450 pages of tools, visuals, and activity ideas to build each skill, therapists can individualize sessions while keeping interventions engaging, evidence-based, and strengths-focused.
Educators
The Executive Function Express program equips educators with visual, easy-to-implement tools that make abstract thinking skills tangible for students. Using a train-themed model, the program helps children understand and strengthen essential skills like planning, attention, flexibility, and self-regulation. Whether used in the classroom, small groups, or IEP support, this strengths-based approach contains hundreds of accommodations to empower students to take ownership of their learning while giving educators practical strategies that work across grade levels.
For Caregivers
Our program gives caregivers the tools they need to support their child’s thinking, organization, and regulation at home. Using a fun, train-themed model, the program makes it easy to understand executive function and build skills like planning, time management, and emotional control in everyday routines. With child-friendly visuals, practical strategies, and a strengths-based approach, caregivers can feel confident guiding their child on a path toward independence and success.