What is the ATOM Program?

The Advanced Tools for Organization Management (ATOM) program is a research-supported intervention for improving executive function skills, homework completion, and motivation for middle school students with attention/organizational difficulties. We developed ATOM with school partners, parents, and students to best support students with attention or organization difficulties. In ATOM, students learn to organize materials, record assignments, plan ahead, and manage their time effectively. Students use the online tool between check-ins to practice organization skills, monitor progress, and earn points toward rewards!

We piloted ATOM in schools and found that students who received the program had improved homework performance, organization skills, and grades. School staff were able to feasibly learn and implement the program.

Now we are researching how to make ATOM even better! With a grant from the National Institutes of Mental Health, we are focused on understanding:

  • The best ways to engage students in using these skills

  • How to make implementing ATOM easy and sustainable for schools and families

ATOM Program & Structure

How does ATOM work?

  • ATOM is designed to be flexibly delivered in school by school staff, with support from the ATOM team

  • School staff meet with students in brief 15-20-minute meetings during the school day, 1-2x per week for approximately 10 weeks

  • Parents are also invited to join two meetings to help promote skills at home

What’s Involved?

  • The ATOM team meets with staff at interested schools who agree to participate and receive training, materials, and support in delivering the ATOM interventions.

  • Schools refer potential students to the ATOM program and caregivers and teachers fill out surveys about their child.

    The ATOM team completes a phone screening with caregivers to confirm students’ eligibility.

  • Parents, students, and educators who agree to participate will complete measures before and after the program and are provided incentives for their time.

  • Students receive the homework, organization, and planning skills interventions at their school.

    Half of the students who participate will also receive access to the ATOM online platform to use during the intervention.