When Trauma Looks Like a Lack of Motivation: Understanding Executive Function Deficits in System-Involved Youth

Brooke Hailey, PhD, LMFT

Training Description

This training examines how trauma-related executive function deficits in system-involved youth are frequently misread as laziness, poor motivation, or defiance. Participants will review the neurobiology of executive functioning and how chronic adversity and trauma disrupt working memory, inhibition, planning, and organization. Through case analysis and applied practice, participants will learn to differentiate executive function deficits from willful noncompliance and apply scaffolding, coaching, and communication strategies that build capacity rather than shame. The training is designed to improve participant competency in supporting task initiation, follow-through, and self-regulation in system-involved youth.

Learning Objectives

• Identify at least four core executive function domains (e.g., working memory, inhibition, cognitive flexibility, planning/organization) and explain how traumas disrupt each one for system-involved youth.

• Differentiate trauma-related executive function deficits from willful noncompliance using at least two case examples.