The Control Tower Model
Why The Control Tower Model™?
Children can be bright, capable, and know exactly what they are supposed to do—yet still struggle to get started, stay focused, manage emotions, organize themselves, or follow through. That gap between knowing and doing can be confusing for parents, educators, and children themselves.I created The Control Tower Model™ to make the complex science behind these struggles easier to understand. The model provides a simple, memorable way to see how executive functions, brain chemistry, attention regulation, and individual thinking styles work together to turn ideas into action. Rather than asking, “Why won’t this child do it?” we can begin asking, “What is making it hard—and what kind of support does this brain need?”
What Is The Control Tower Model™?
Think of the brain like a busy airport. The Control Tower manages executive functions such as planning, organization, focus, emotional regulation, and follow-through. But the tower cannot work alone. It needs a Power Supply to fuel the system, a Switch to regulate attention and incoming information, and a Thinking Style that influences the flow of ideas the tower is being asked to manage. When these systems work together efficiently, ideas and intentions become organized action. When they don't, even seemingly simple tasks can become surprisingly difficult.
Detailed information about The Control Tower Model™ can be found in the book ADHD: The Comprehensive Parent's Guide.
Take the Thinking Style Quiz here.