Executive Functioning THE INS AND OUTS What is Executive Functioning? A set of mental skills that are coordinated in the frontal lobe Executive Functioning skills are used for: Focus Inhibition Initiation Planning and Organizing Self Monitioring Shifting activities Working memory Development of Executive Functioning It takes time to fully develop Begins in late infancy, changes markedly from age 2 to age 6 Peaks at about 25 years Strategies and support can help acquire and improve these skills Challenges can arise at any age, but they tend to be particularly evident as the demands of school-work and life increase. Executive Functioning Challenges Focus: maintaining attention depite boredom, distractions, and fatigue Inhibition: impulse control Initiation: starting a task and working independently Planning and Organization: managing current and future tasks, as well as imposing order on spaces Self-Monitoring: monitoring one's own performance and evaluating it based on a given standard Shifting: transitioning activities Time Management: accurately predicting how long tasks will take and efficiently using that time Working Memory: the capacity to remember information for the purpose of completing a task Stategies: Focus Incentives Movement Breaks Snacks Games Infuse Fun Make a game out of the task Strategies: Inhibition Bio-feedback Deep breathing Diet Exercise Meditation Muscle relaxation Fidgets Stress balls Putty Write-Now-Talk-Later Have them write comments and questions Arrange a time for them to share Visual Cues Hand signals Pictures Strategies: Initiation Incentives Graphic Organizers For writing tasks and project planning Expectations Provide for non-preferred activities Clarify before they work independently I Do-We-Do-You-Do Demonstrate the task Complete the task together Student works independently Strategies: Planning and Organization Calendars and Planners Color-code classes and tasks Set goals Checklists Make detailed Use consistently Chunking Designated Work-space Break down large assignments and projects Clean and quiet Homework Organizer EF oriented (Bullet Proof Homework Planner) Strategies: Self-Monitoring Calculator Checklists Verify calculations Denoting all necessary steps Checkpoints Mid-progress comprehension assessments Strategies: Shifting Agendas Warnings Verbal Timers Shared Visual Routines Establish Stategies: Time Management Alarms Set reminders Intervention Chart/Table List everyday tasks Estimate time needed Record time used Compare estimates to trials Adjust future time expectations Strategies: Working Memory Chunking Parrotting Repeat verbally disseminated information Mnemonics Break down multi-step directions Create memory connections Simplification Rephrase direction language Visualization Picture yourself completing the task steps References Damasio, Antonio (2005) Descartes' Error: Emotion, Reason, and the Human Brain. New York, NY. Putnam. Cooper-Kahn, J., & Dietzel, L. C. (2008). Late, Lost and Unprepared: A Parents' Guide to Helping Children with Executive Functioning. Bethesda, MD. Woodbine House. Greenberg, Leslie (2010). Emotion Focused Therapy. Washington, DC., American Psychological Association. Kaufman, C. (2010). Executive Function in the Classroom. Baltimore, MD., Paul H. Brookes Publishing. Siegel, Daniel (2007). The Mindful Brain. New York, NY., Norton.
