Richard Guare, Peg Dawson, and Colin Guare

Paperback 293 pages

I  told you, I'll do it later."
"I forgot to turn in the stupid application."
"Could you drive me to school? I missed the bus again."
"I can't walk the dog—I have too much homework!"

If you're the parent of a "smart but scattered" teen, trying to help him or her grow into a self-sufficient, responsible adult may feel like a never-ending battle. Now you have an alternative to micromanaging, cajoling, or ineffective punishments. This positive guide provides a science-based program for promoting teens' independence by building their executive skills—the fundamental brain-based abilities needed to get organized, stay focused, and control impulses and emotions. Executive skills experts Drs. Richard Guare and Peg Dawson are joined by Colin Guare, a young adult who has successfully faced these issues himself. Learn step-by-step strategies to help your teen live up to his or her potential now and in the future—while making your relationship stronger. Helpful worksheets and forms can be downloaded and printed in a convenient 8½" x 11" size.

See also the authors' Smart but Scattered (with a focus on 4- to 13-year-olds) and their self-help guide for adults. Plus, Work-Smart Academic Planner: Write It Down, Get It Done, designed for middle and high school students to use in conjunction with coaching, and related titles for professionals.

Winner (Third Place)—American Journal of Nursing Book of the Year Award, Consumer Health Category

“The book's 'executive skills' are the critical tools needed to solve problems, manage time, and perform tasks. As many parents know, tweens and teens often lack these abilities....A very helpful addition to parenting shelves.”

—Library Journal


“An easy-to-read, well-documented, and well-resourced book that, if utilized, would surely better both the relationship between any teen and their parents and also assist the teen in developing better executive function skills….It is a book that can be recommended to parents by professionals working with teenagers….Guilford is to be commended for offering this book at such reasonable pricing. Hopefully it will increase the utility and desire on many parents’ parts to purchase this book so that it can help their families and their teenagers.”

—Child and Family Behavior Therapy


“An absolute 'must read' for parents. Many detailed examples show you exactly how to teach your teenager the skills needed for success in school and beyond. The clever strategies for getting around teens' creative resistance to making changes are particularly helpful. I will recommend this gem of a book to all of the parents and adolescents I treat.”

—Arthur L. Robin, PhD, coauthor of Your Defiant Teen


“Executive skills are critical to success in life, but may be delayed in some teens and young adults—and parents are often at a loss for how to help. Smart but Scattered Teens is just what parents need. This is a highly useful guide for improving teens' executive skills and motivating them to use the skills they already have.”

—Patricia O. Quinn, MD, coauthor of Ready for Take-Off: Preparing Your Teen with ADHD or LD for College


“Does your teen's behavior have you tearing out your hair in frustration? Quit nagging and use this wonderfully insightful and practical book to coach your 'smart but scattered' teen for personal, educational, and social success.”

—William Pfohl, PsyD, past president, International School Psychology Association


“I was hooked from the first chapter! This book has opened my eyes to ways to foster my son's strengths, not just criticize his weaknesses. With all the issues we battle daily, it's easy to forget the power of the positive. I'm thrilled to have a specific plan of action for targeting the skills my son needs to do better in school and become more focused and responsible.”

—Kim L.