When people search for Janine Marsh, they are usually looking for one of two things: ADHD coaching support or the author behind Sir Barkington.

Both are part of the same story.

I am an ADHD coach based in the UK and the founder of Thrive ADHD Coaching, where I support neurodivergent adults and families with practical tools, emotional clarity and compassionate understanding. Alongside my coaching work, I am also a children’s author, writing gentle stories that help children understand big feelings in a safe and reassuring way.

My work has always centred around one thing: helping people feel less alone inside their own minds.

From Education to ADHD Coaching

My background is rooted in education and psychology. Over the years, I have supported many individuals navigating attention differences, executive functioning challenges and emotional overwhelm. Through this work, I developed a deep understanding of how misunderstood ADHD can be, particularly in adults.

As an ADHD coach, I focus on:

• Executive functioning support
• Emotional regulation
• Confidence and self understanding
• Practical structure without shame

 Thrive ADHD Coaching was created as a calm, grounded space for people who want guidance without judgement and growth without pressure.

Why I Wrote Sir Barkington

Sir Barkington and the Worry Woof was born from the same values that guide my coaching work.

Children experience big feelings too. Worry, frustration, excitement, overwhelm. Often they do not yet have the language or tools to understand what is happening inside them.

The Sir Barkington series gently introduces emotional regulation tools through story, imagination and warmth. Each book is designed to help children recognise their feelings while also offering practical strategies in a way that feels safe and accessible.

Stories can be powerful. They create distance from the feeling while also making it understandable.

Supporting Adults Through Reflection

In addition to coaching and writing, I run the Thrive Journalling Circle, a reflective space designed to encourage clarity, creativity and emotional processing.

Journalling is not about writing perfectly. It is about thinking clearly.

It gives thoughts somewhere to land.

Through coaching, books and reflective practice, my work supports both children and adults in building greater self awareness and self trust.

A Calm and Compassionate Approach

Whether you have found me through ADHD coaching, children’s books, journalling or personal recommendation, my intention remains the same:

To offer understanding.

To provide tools that genuinely help.

To create moments of safety and recognition.

You can learn more about ADHD coaching support at Thrive ADHD Coaching, explore the Sir Barkington series on Amazon, or join the Thrive Journalling Circle for guided reflective prompts.

Thank you for being here.

Janine Marsh

ADHD Coach and Author

Founder of Thrive ADHD Coaching

Janine Marsh is a UK based ADHD coach and author of the Sir Barkington series. Founder of Thrive ADHD Coaching, supporting adults and children with emotional regulation and executive functioning tools.

Executive Dysfunction in Adults with ADHD | Explained by Janine Marsh

February 2026

In my previous post, I shared more about my work as an ADHD coach and founder of Thrive ADHD Coaching. One of the most common challenges I support adults with is executive dysfunction.

It is frequently misunderstood.

Executive dysfunction is not laziness or lack of discipline. It relates to the brain’s ability to manage tasks, regulate attention, organise information and follow through.

For many adults with ADHD, the difficulty is not knowing what to do.

It is bridging the gap between intention and action.

What Executive Dysfunction Affects

Executive functions help us:

• Start tasks
• Plan and prioritise
• Manage time
• Organise information
• Regulate emotions
• Shift attention
• Complete multi step activities

When these systems are inconsistent, even simple tasks can feel overwhelming.

An adult may want to reply to an email, book an appointment or start a report and still feel completely stuck.

How It Shows Up in Daily Life

Executive dysfunction in adults with ADHD often looks like:

• Procrastination despite urgency
• Forgetting appointments
• Struggling to prioritise
• Overwhelm with multi step tasks
• Emotional reactivity under pressure
• Hyperfocus in one area while neglecting others

Many describe it as “I know what to do, I just cannot start.”

Why It Is Mislabelled

Because executive dysfunction is invisible, it is often mistaken for laziness, carelessness or lack of ambition.

In reality, adults with ADHD are often working significantly harder just to manage daily demands.

The difficulty lies in regulation, not character.

Understanding this distinction can be transformative. It replaces shame with clarity.

Support and Practical Approaches

Executive dysfunction cannot be solved by trying harder. It responds better to structure and external support.

Helpful strategies often include:

• Breaking tasks into visible, manageable steps
• Externalising reminders rather than relying on memory
• Using visual time anchors
• Body doubling
• Reducing unnecessary cognitive load
• Compassionate accountability

The goal is not perfection.

It is sustainable functioning.

Through ADHD coaching at Thrive ADHD Coaching, I support adults in building systems that work with their brains rather than against them, alongside strengthening emotional regulation and self trust.

Executive dysfunction is not a reflection of your worth.

It is a neurological pattern that can be understood and supported.

Janine Marsh

ADHD Coach in the UK

Founder of Thrive ADHD Coaching