By Lorilynn Wolf, Communications Director, Connecting for Kids
Are you frustrated that your child works late into the night to finish a project and then forgets to turn it in the next day? Does your child become easily upset over small things that don’t seem to bother peers? Is your student constantly getting in trouble in class for blurting out answers?
If you answered yes to these questions, your child might have executive function challenges. These challenges fall into three areas: working memory or keeping track of information; flexible thinking to adapt and respond to the environment; and using self-control to manage thoughts, feelings and behavior. So how do you support your child’s executive function? Below are four suggestions for families:
- Seek out a mental health counselor
A mental health professional can help you understand how executive function issues are impacting your child and can teach needed emotional regulation and social skills.
- Work with an occupational therapist (OT)
An OT can help improve your
child’s time management skills
by using timers or breaking down
large tasks into smaller steps.
OTs also can share organizational strategies or self-monitoring techniques to keep your child focused.
- Partner with the school
Work with your child’s school team to obtain an IEP or 504 plan. Executive functioning accommodations can be put
into both of these documents to ensure the school provides
a conducive learning environment.
- Learn ways you can help through education/coaching
Connecting for Kids offers a new Executive Function Resource Guide and one-on-one assistance to families. Visit connectingforkids.org for more information.
