How Can I Improve my Executive Functions?

Executive functions, or what I like to call the conductor of the brain, is the process of the mind gathering together and making sense of all the information we receive from our instruments or senses. Helping us to create meaning from what we see, hear, touch, taste, and experience, executive functions also allows us to focus our attention, learn and think about new information, and make connections to what we already know.  

Here are 11 common signs of executive functioning disorder:

1. You have trouble maintaining a planner or agenda for recording assignments.
2. You have trouble planning long term projects and often complete them at the last minute.You often forget papers, notebooks and other materials needed for school or homework.
3. You have a hard time estimating how long a task or project will take.
4. You have trouble starting your homework independently.
5. You are easily distracted.
6. You have a hard time keeping track of your possessions and often lose important materials.
7. You have trouble listening to and following multistep directions.
8. You have trouble transitioning from one task to another.
9. You have trouble keeping appointments.
10. You have trouble keeping your bedroom and book-bag organized.

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Truth: 

Most of these kids are motivated and hard-working, but they have trouble maintaining attention and stamina. As a result, these students are often misread and misunderstood. It is important to realize that executive functioning issues are NOT the result of laziness, lack of effort, or carelessness. In fact, criticizing these learners and providing negative feedback and pressure often worsens these difficulties and can trigger feelings of helplessness.

Myth: ADHD and executive function issues are the same.

Truth:

Attention is only one small piece of the executive function skills that the brain performs. Therefore, some kids with poor executive function skills do not have ADHD. Likewise, there are some kids with ADHD that do not struggle with other areas of executive functions such as working memory, flexible thinking, impulse control, self-monitoring, multi-step instructions, sustained attention, planning skills, prioritizing skills, completing tasks, task initiation, time management, and organization. What the research is discovering, however, is that there is a positive correlation between those with ADHD and executive functioning disorder.

Myth: All kids should be able to learn executive functions.
Truth: Just like some are blind or paralyzed, others have learning disabilities that make executive functions extremely difficult. In fact, some individuals have such a difficult time with executive functioning skills, they require support from technology and people (such as personal assistants or secretaries) throughout their life.

Myth: Kids can't get school accommodations for executive function skills.
Truth: With proper testing, many of these kids are diagnosed with a learning disability or ADHD. In addition, with a diagnosis, students can get an individualized education program (IEP) or 504 plan that can offer reasonable accommodations.

1. Maintain a structured, daily routine.
2. Teach learners how to set priorities.
3. Generate a consistent homework plan.
4. Break large assignments into manageable tasks.
5. Make to-do lists.
6. Demonstrate time management skills by generating self imposed deadlines.
7. Teach study skills and test taking strategies.
8. Provide incentives and positive reinforcement.
9. Utilize graphic organizers for planning ideas and writing.
10. Teach metacognitive skills by thinking through thought processes aloud.
11. Be patient and supportive.

12. Think aloud so that you can demonstrate how to use executive functioning skills.