Last we month we explored the negative effects that delayed executive functioning skills can cause in a student’s life. Problems with the “brain’s CEO” contribute to numerous challenges: difficulty initiating and finishing assignments, remembering homework assignments, organizing materials and information, controlling emotions, juggling many things simultaneously and planning for the future. But there is hope!
There are tools we can teach students—and parents—to help them tackle school work as well as other responsibilities that take strong executive function skills.
Make A Checklist – The steps necessary for completing a task often aren’t obvious to students with executive dysfunction, and defining them clearly ahead of time makes a task less daunting and more achievable.
You can make a checklist for nearly anything, including how to get out of the house on time each morning—often a daily struggle for kids with executive functioning challenges. Some parents say posting a checklist of the morning routine can be a sanity saver: make your bed, get dressed, have breakfast, grab your lunch, get your backpack. Completing as many tasks as possible the night before can aid in a successful morning. Preparing lunch and laying out clothes the evening before can prevent a lot of drama the next morning. Parents are encouraged to allow their child to check tasks off the list as they are completed. Many families write directly on a bedroom or bathroom mirror with a dry erase marker and allow the child to wipe it off as they complete tasks.
Set Time Limits – When making a checklist, many educational specialists also recommend assigning a time limit for each task. Teach your child how long a project will take, and use a timer as a visual support to assist them with staying on track. I also recommend planning time for sensory and movement breaks during homework.
Utilize A Planner – Educational specialists say that in the same way that making a list is an important strategy in organizing tasks, using a planner at school is of cardinal importance. Although this may seem obvious, it won’t be obvious to a child who is overwhelmed by—or uninterested in—organization and planning. This is unfortunate because students who struggle with executive functioning often have poor working memory, which means it is hard for them to remember things like homework assignments. Using a cell phone or tablet may be an age appropriate substitution for a traditional school planner.
For more information about inspiring special education, contact The Imago Dei School at Trinity Classical Academy at 661-296-2601 or visit www.TrinityClassicalAcademy.com.