Lend Me Your Frontal Lobe Session One

Anticipation Guide

Outcomes Define executive skills Identify characteristics of executive functions Identify the development executive skills over the lifespan Identify definitions of learning disabilities, ADHD and autism

Level of ImpactEvidenceTraining Method AwarenessArticulate a general concept Stand and deliver Conceptual understanding Clearly articulate a concept Modeling/ Demonstration Skill acquisitionUse skills in structured setting Practice in simulated situation with feedback Application of skillsFlexibly use skillsReal cases with coaching Model For Adult Learning Joyce & Showers, 1980,1992 Rosenfield & Gravois,1996

Executive functions can be defined as… a collection of processes that are responsible for guiding, directing and managing cognitive, emotional and behavioral functions, particularly during novel problem solving.

Where are executive functions located?

Where are executive skills located? Executive Skills

How are executive skills developed?

Executive skills develop… through a process called myelination. Myelin acts as insulation, increasing the speed with which nerve impulses are transmitted. The faster the impulse, the better the skill.

All skills, including executive skills, improve with practice… The more you practice, the better the skill. Practice also makes the task less effortful.

Frontal lobes take time to develop… Vicki Anderson, PhD, Department of Psychology, Royal Children's Hospital

Risk-taking in Adolescence Richard Guare, Ph.D., Smart but Scattered

Until they are fully developed in students, parents and teachers act as “surrogate” frontal lobes. Three primary ways to develop executive skills: 1.Change the environment to reduce the impact of weak executive skills. 2.Teach and model executive skills. 3.Use incentives to get students to use skills that are hard for them.

Executive Functions serve as a Cognitive Conductor The conductor or “master control” for all higher order and basic information processing. The brain’s master control and command system.

Do you know your executive functions? With a partner, match the nine executive functions with their definitions

What do executive skill weaknesses look like in your students?

What is a Learning Disability? Brain 'processes' information differently Certain kinds of information get stuck or lost while traveling through the brain. Causes a 'discrepancy' between ability and achievement.

What is Autism? “Developmental disability that impacts development in the areas of verbal and non-verbal communication social interactions leisure or play activities”

What is ADHD? Characterized by developmentally inappropriate inattention, impulsivity hyperactivity

What is the typically developing student?

Next Steps Executive Skills Self Assessment