Understanding How Children Use Their Thinking Skills

Developing Adaptive Coordination of Executive Functions

['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS · NIH-11176356

This project explores how children learn to use important thinking skills, called executive functions, to adapt to different situations, especially for those with conditions like ADHD and autism.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS (nih funded)
Locations1 site (DAVIS, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11176356 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

Our thinking skills, known as executive functions, help us manage our behavior and adapt to new situations. These skills are crucial for success in school, social interactions, and overall well-being throughout life. We are looking into how children develop and choose to use these executive functions, as these choices can shape their future habits and abilities. This work is especially important because these thinking skills are often affected in conditions such as ADHD, autism, depression, and schizophrenia. By understanding how children adaptively coordinate these functions, we hope to find better ways to support their healthy development.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This research focuses on children and adolescents, including those with conditions such as ADHD, autism, depression, and schizophrenia, as well as typically developing individuals.

Not a fit: Patients whose conditions are unrelated to executive function development or who are outside the age ranges of childhood and adolescence may not directly benefit from this specific research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new strategies for supporting children's development of crucial thinking skills, potentially benefiting those with conditions like ADHD and autism.

How similar studies have performed: Many studies have explored children's executive functions and interventions to support them, but this project uniquely focuses on how children adaptively choose to engage these skills.

Where this research is happening

DAVIS, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.