The Overloaded Brain: Attention and Executive Function A child makes it through the day. They follow directions and hold themselves together through hours of listening, attention, language, sitting, movement, and social demand. Then they get in the car, and everything unravels. It might look like a behavior problem at the end of a successful day. But, maybe we should be asking a different question: what was the true cost of that success? The explanation of the overloaded brain on attention and executive function runs through three connected concepts: Cognitive load is what happens when working memory is managing more information than it can process effectively Listening effort is the additional energy the brain spends when auditory processing still requires conscious attention Hidden fatigue is the depletion that builds across the day and surfaces once the structure ends When sound sensitivity, competing noise, sensory demands, and rapid instructions are added to an already taxed working memory, the cost compounds. Focus becomes harder to sustain. Executive function becomes less reliable. Skills that are available in one setting may disappear under pressure in another. Understanding this invisible workload can change how we support the brain. Rhythm, movement, healthy daily habits, and intentional recovery can help reduce unnecessary demand and build more efficient patterns. The Listening Program® fits into that approach by improving auditory processing, nervous system regulation, attention, and executive function. Join Dr. Lynne Kenney, pediatric psychologist, author, and executive function specialist, and Alex Doman, Founder and CEO of Advanced Brain Technologies, for a live webinar exploring what this framework means for children and teens who are working harder than anyone around them knows. In this free live webinar, you will learn: How to recognize overload before it becomes a shutdown, meltdown, or loss of focus How rhythm and movement build automaticity and flow in the brain and body Proven behavior strategies to support recovery, protect attention, and strengthen executive function How to create healthier patterns around movement, listening, transitions, routines, and rest This webinar is for parents, educators, therapists, and professionals supporting children and teens with challenges in attention, executive function, sound sensitivity, emotional regulation, or fatigue. You will gain a new way to understand why skills and behavior can change under pressure, along with practical ways to help the brain work more efficiently, recover more fully, and sustain greater capacity throughout the day. About Our Guest Dr. Lynne Kenney is the nation’s leading pediatric psychologist in developing classroom cognitive-physical activities for students in grades K-8. She is the author of five books, the most recent with Mike Kuczala, Move More, Learn More, published by Teacher’s College Press in February 2026. Dr. Kenney’s works have been translated into Spanish, Chinese, and French. She has focused on bridging neuroscience and education, developing rhythm- and movement-based interventions used internationally to improve executive function, self-regulation, and learning. Trained at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, UCLA, and Pepperdine, she brings decades of clinical expertise and practical application to her work with children, families, and educators. As a Certified Provider of The Listening Program®, she integrates music-based listening therapy with her innovative movement-based approaches to further enhance focus, cognitive flexibility, and emotional regulation in children worldwide. Learn More About Our Host Alex Doman is the founder and CEO of Advanced Brain Technologies and the creator of The Listening Program®, a leading brain-based music-based listening therapy that supports learning, emotional regulation, and cognitive development. He is also a founder of Vital Neuro, a patented, mobile, clinical-grade brain-training solution that uses responsive music and neurofeedback to reduce stress and support focus, sleep, and self-regulation. A third-generation pioneer in brain health and neurodevelopment, Alex has more than 30 years of experience helping families and professionals worldwide. He is the bestselling co-author of Healing at the Speed of Sound® and a recognized leader in making neuroscience practical and accessible to everyday life.
