Executive Functioning
Why do Executive Function Deficits Become Apparent in Middle School? "Many children “fly under the radar” because their EF [executive fucntioning] deficits may cause few apparent problems until they enter Middle School. A number of factors explain this phenomenon." "Middle School places new and different demands on students both organizationally and academically. First of all, students have to change classes for the first time - managing lockers, binders, folders, and time so that they turn up in the right place, at the right time, and with the right materials throughout the school day. In addition, they need to understand the varying expectations and styles of not just one but many teachers. Mrs. Smith may write the homework on the board at the start of the class, whereas Mr. Jones may give it verbally just before the bell. Ms. Gonzales may have a homework in-box and expect students to put their assignments in it independently, whereas Mr. Jimenez may always collect it by hand. Meantime, the work itself is becoming more challenging with abstract concepts taking over from the concrete learning that characterized elementary school. Homework becomes more onerous and may include long-term assignments that require planning and scheduling, along with occasional collaborative work with other students. And to cap this all off, hormones are starting to rage and social concerns are becoming more distracting. No wonder this is often the first time that Executive Function deficits rear their head." Excerpt from: "A Parent's Guide to Supporting Your Child's Executive Function Skills" How can I support my child? It is important to remember that all students learn differently and develop at different rates. Johnny may be a master of his locker and planner after week two of middle school but Sally could continue to forget her combination until after winter break. Equally important is the fact that what works for one child may or may not work for another. For example, Mr. Lukianchuk works more effectively while listening to music, while his father needs absolute silence in order to study. |
Executive Functioning SkillsWhat are Executive Functioning Skills? Each day, every day, we use executive functioning skills. According to author Paula Morain (2012), "we use our executive functions to express how we think, what we feel, and what we do in relation to the world around us. The way to a working definition of attention would be through understanding how we use our attention in our thinking, how we use our attention in relation to our feelings, and how we use our attention in our actions."
Key Executive Functioning (EF) Skills:
There are some key strategies that help students who struggle with EF skills:
Additional Resources: What is Executive Function? (National Centre for Learning Disabilities) Cooper-Kahn, Joyce. Late, Lost and Unprepared: A parent's guide to helping children with executive functioning. Bethesda, MD: Woodbine House, 2008. This is "THE" book for any parent who has a child with some EF challenges. There are three copies available at the Vancouver Island Library or it is available to order at your local bookstore. It is incredibly accessible and has some excellent suggestions. Dawson, Peg and Richard Guere. Smart but Scattered: The "executive skills" program for helping kids reach their potential. New York: Guilford Press, 2009. This is another highly regarded and accessible book geared towards parents. There is also an updated version for "teens". Executive Functions (Wikipedia) |