Neurodiverse Students Executive Function Skills

This week I would like to share a recent article entitled, “Ways to Help Neurodiverse Students Improve Executive Function Skills” by Patrick (2022).

The author states that “learning is the journey the brain takes when acquiring new information, and executive functioning is a critical component of this learning journey. Executive function skills require students to utilize memory, self-control, and attention flexibly.” Further, the author shared the following ways to support building executive function skills for all of our students.

1. Bring Directions to Life. There is power in narrating your thought processes when sharing expectations, organizing an equation, or annotating information, i.e., “think aloud.”

2. Graphic Organizers. Provide students with options of graphic organizers to use when completing assignments. This will allow them access to tools for organizing and synthesizing information. Model how to use these organizers with real tasks.

3. Leverage Useful Technology. Use media, images, and video to provide visual examples of ways to organize information, plan tasks, and set goals.

4. Incorporate Executive Functioning into Assessment, Measurement and Evaluation. Consider providing credit toward an assignment by applying executive function skills. Examples could include when students describe the process they used to produce a response or deliverable; providing a draft outline or infographic they created as they planned out the assignment, etc.

5. Use Apps (wisely). There are many options of applications that allow for managing lists, utilizing timers, generating reminders, setting goals, and organizing information.

A student’s ability to self-regulate in the area of executive functioning can make or break their ability to balance life. Executive functions like attention, memory, time management, and organization are all everyday skills that we must independently manage in our lives.