What is Executive Functioning?

Executive Functioning is a mental process, that helps us to get things done. It connects past experiences with present actions. We use it to plan, organize, strategize, attend, recall details and manage time and space. Difficulty with executive function can be seen at any age, but is often evident in some elementary school children, as the demands of completing more complex tasks increase.

 

When children are unable to meet the academic expectations at school, or they are often dysregulated, delving deeper into your  child's learning profile may reveal Executive Functioning challenges. What do you do with his information?  What does this mean for your child? How can you help them? It can be extremely frustrating when they don't seem to be picking up on skills, that seem so simple for your other children or yourself. They might get categorized as lazy, unmotivated but you know they are capable of so much more. Why can't they just try harder?

 

Imagine a file cabinet, with all of your personal, health, financial, family and business files, tipped upside down with every fie emptied on the floor. How do you find the exact paper you are looking for? How do you begin to put the files back together, how do you decide and remember which paper to put in each file? Are you overwhelmed at this arduous task? Can you stop sorting for the day and start again the next, while remembering where you left off last day? Would you lose your train of thought as you are interrupted by your kids, and how might you respond to them? How are you managing your emotions? When we think of the brain as a file cabinet, composed of organized files, from which we can accurately retrieve valuable information, we may be able to get a better understanding of what some children with Executive Functioning deficits experience.

 

Your child may have difficulties with Executive functioning if they face challenges in any or all of the following:

*starting tasks or initiating activities, e.g., getting materials ready, generating ideas

*planning projects

*completing tasks/schoolwork

*checking that their work meets all criteria, before, during, and after a task

*telling stories in an organized and sequential manner

*memorizing and retrieving information, e.g., following multi-step instructions

*organizing time, belongings and self

 

Our coaches can work with your child to recognize their strengths and needs. They will learn to advocate for themselves both at home and school, using tools that work in both environments. Our coaches will work with students and parents as well as welcoming input from their classroom teachers.