Executive functioning is a term that describes our self-regulation and organization skills. This broad term includes self-awareness, impulse control, working memory, motivation, planning and problem-solving.
These skills are critical to successfully manage our life and its many demands. Impaired executive functioning affects the regulation and use of all areas of cognitive functioning, including self-monitoring, attention, inhibition, planning, remembering, and sequencing. These skills continue to develop through adulthood.
Behaviors associated with executive functioning:
· Getting started on tasks
· Utilizing working memory (short-term memory)
· Organizing
· Making and keeping goals
· Multitasking
· Using feedback effectively
· Regulating attention and behavior to match environmental demands
· Demonstrating judgment and foresight
· Shifting flexibly between competing activities/trains of thought
· Generalizing learning to new situations
· Working automatically and efficiently
· Inhibiting impulsive responses
· Planning ahead
· Distinguishing relevant from irrelevant pieces of information
Executive dysfunction adversely impacts life. Overall, children with executive functioning weaknesses have difficulty showing us what they know.
Here is what executive functioning weakness looks like:
· Easily distracted; Poor sustained attention
· Disinhibited responses lead to poor choices
· May forget one part of a problem while working on another segment
· Difficulty adjusting/changing a problem-solving style when it is not working
· Repeats mistakes
· Absence of a plan to solve problems
· Poor use of time (especially to prepare for upcoming exams or projects)
· Difficulty paraphrasing or summarizing
· Procrastination and lack of follow-through
· Difficulties keeping several things in mind and keeping the information well-organized
· Poor organization often impacts recall of previously learned material
· Difficulty with sequenced, multi-step tasks
· Inconsistencies in academic and memory skills
· Poor test taking
Executive functioning weakness can be identified by a speech-language pathologist. Speech-language pathologists can evaluate executive functioning skills by assessing areas such as flexible thinking, working memory, behavior, and overall communication. Please let us know if you have these concerns and would like to know if speech-language therapy could benefit your child.
How to help with executive functioning weaknesses
Organization
· Email assignments to teacher and self
· Keep a second set of textbooks at home
· Label where items belong
· Establish weekly time to organize desk, etc.
· Color coding systems
· At home, be sure to establish an organized study space, with all needed materials, dry erase board/calendar
Planning/ Time Management
· Use timers/ Alarms
· Estimate amount of time needed for a task and then write down actual time
· Use calendars/planners (build habit for checking them)
· Help break down assignments, projects, and tasks into reasonable parts, and then set deadlines
Working Memory
· Use lists as reminders (words or pictures)
· Use a voice recorder/voicemail messages to record tasks, assignments, reminders
· Help develop mnemonics or other strategies to help remember a series of steps
· Teach visualization strategies to enhance recall
Impulse Control
· Use visual cues (e.g. big stop sign on door)
· Develop habits that interfere with impulsive behavior (e.g. put hands in pockets)
· Use of a fidget toy (need rules—can’t grab someone else’s; can’t throw the toy)
Initiation
· For younger kids, use a song to guide them through morning routines.
· Younger kids may need help getting started (e.g. when cleaning their room, go with them to their room and suggest what they should start with; be specific)
· Before starting a seated task, engage in a gross motor activity
Self-Monitoring
· Visual rule boards
· Visual timers
· Highlight important details
· Proofread aloud
· Proofread by reading backwards
· Double check assignments
· Reread the directions after completing a task and go back to see if you followed them
Cognitive Flexibility
· Review upcoming changes to schedule or environment (e.g. substitute teacher)
· Allow for a break/ place to calm down when child encounters frustration with change
· Teach relaxation breathing
· Provide warnings/signals prior to transitions
Executive functioning weakness can be identified by a speech-language pathologist. Speech-language pathologists can evaluate executive functioning skills by assessing areas such as flexible thinking, working memory, behavior, and overall communication. Please let us know if you have these concerns and would like to know if speech-language therapy could benefit your child.
Suggested reading
These skills are critical to successfully manage our life and its many demands. Impaired executive functioning affects the regulation and use of all areas of cognitive functioning, including self-monitoring, attention, inhibition, planning, remembering, and sequencing. These skills continue to develop through adulthood.
Behaviors associated with executive functioning:
· Getting started on tasks
· Utilizing working memory (short-term memory)
· Organizing
· Making and keeping goals
· Multitasking
· Using feedback effectively
· Regulating attention and behavior to match environmental demands
· Demonstrating judgment and foresight
· Shifting flexibly between competing activities/trains of thought
· Generalizing learning to new situations
· Working automatically and efficiently
· Inhibiting impulsive responses
· Planning ahead
· Distinguishing relevant from irrelevant pieces of information
Executive dysfunction adversely impacts life. Overall, children with executive functioning weaknesses have difficulty showing us what they know.
Here is what executive functioning weakness looks like:
· Easily distracted; Poor sustained attention
· Disinhibited responses lead to poor choices
· May forget one part of a problem while working on another segment
· Difficulty adjusting/changing a problem-solving style when it is not working
· Repeats mistakes
· Absence of a plan to solve problems
· Poor use of time (especially to prepare for upcoming exams or projects)
· Difficulty paraphrasing or summarizing
· Procrastination and lack of follow-through
· Difficulties keeping several things in mind and keeping the information well-organized
· Poor organization often impacts recall of previously learned material
· Difficulty with sequenced, multi-step tasks
· Inconsistencies in academic and memory skills
· Poor test taking
Executive functioning weakness can be identified by a speech-language pathologist. Speech-language pathologists can evaluate executive functioning skills by assessing areas such as flexible thinking, working memory, behavior, and overall communication. Please let us know if you have these concerns and would like to know if speech-language therapy could benefit your child.
How to help with executive functioning weaknesses
Organization
· Email assignments to teacher and self
· Keep a second set of textbooks at home
· Label where items belong
· Establish weekly time to organize desk, etc.
· Color coding systems
· At home, be sure to establish an organized study space, with all needed materials, dry erase board/calendar
Planning/ Time Management
· Use timers/ Alarms
· Estimate amount of time needed for a task and then write down actual time
· Use calendars/planners (build habit for checking them)
· Help break down assignments, projects, and tasks into reasonable parts, and then set deadlines
Working Memory
· Use lists as reminders (words or pictures)
· Use a voice recorder/voicemail messages to record tasks, assignments, reminders
· Help develop mnemonics or other strategies to help remember a series of steps
· Teach visualization strategies to enhance recall
Impulse Control
· Use visual cues (e.g. big stop sign on door)
· Develop habits that interfere with impulsive behavior (e.g. put hands in pockets)
· Use of a fidget toy (need rules—can’t grab someone else’s; can’t throw the toy)
Initiation
· For younger kids, use a song to guide them through morning routines.
· Younger kids may need help getting started (e.g. when cleaning their room, go with them to their room and suggest what they should start with; be specific)
· Before starting a seated task, engage in a gross motor activity
Self-Monitoring
· Visual rule boards
· Visual timers
· Highlight important details
· Proofread aloud
· Proofread by reading backwards
· Double check assignments
· Reread the directions after completing a task and go back to see if you followed them
Cognitive Flexibility
· Review upcoming changes to schedule or environment (e.g. substitute teacher)
· Allow for a break/ place to calm down when child encounters frustration with change
· Teach relaxation breathing
· Provide warnings/signals prior to transitions
Executive functioning weakness can be identified by a speech-language pathologist. Speech-language pathologists can evaluate executive functioning skills by assessing areas such as flexible thinking, working memory, behavior, and overall communication. Please let us know if you have these concerns and would like to know if speech-language therapy could benefit your child.
Suggested reading
- Smart by Scattered: the revolutionary “Executive Skills” approach to helping kids reach their potential – by Peg Dawson & Richard Guare
- Smart but Scattered Teens: The "Executive Skills" Program for Helping Teens Reach Their Potential – by Richard Guare, Peg Guare, & Colin Guare
- Learning To Slow Down & Pay Attention: A Book for Kids About ADHD -by Kathleen G. Nadeau, Ellen B. Dixon, & Charles Beyl
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