1. EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING SKILLS In the School Environment
December 10, 2013
Presented By: Mary Pronoitis, Behavior Specialist

2. Workshop Objectives
1. Increase awareness of the impact of Executive Functioning difficulties. 2. Develop everyday teaching practices utilizing Executive Function skills in the classroom 3. Increase knowledge of interventions that promote effective academic skills & improve behavior and social interactions

3. Have You Ever Had Students Who…
Have not internalized classroom routines/procedures?
Need step-by-step instructions for everything?
Do not know how to begin?
Are overwhelmed by information in directions or in lessons?
Leaving things to the last minute?
Exhibit impulsive behavior or lack a “social filter” ?
Lose or forget things and leave a trail of their belongings?
Blurt out irrelevant information or unkind words without considering others’ feelings? 3 3

4. Executive Functions (EF)
“Executive Function" describes the brain’s skill at accessing and coordinating all of its functions to make a plan and execute it to achieve a goal.
E F helps direct and manage an individual’s cognitive, emotional and behavioral functioning.
Executive functions helps people to:
Plan and organize activities
Start and finish tasks
Use working memory
Pay attention
Monitor behavior
Inhibit impulses
Stay goal-directed 4 4

5. Conditions Associated with Executive Dysfunction
ADHD
Autism Spectrum
Disorders
Learning Disabilities
Conditions
Fetal Alcohol
Syndrome
Traumatic Brain Injury
Language Processing Disorders
Behavior/Emotional Disabilities,
Mental Illness 5 5

6. Executive Functioning Challenges
Trouble Organizing Materials & Work
Loses or forgets materials & work
Difficulty remembering multiple directions & tasks
Trouble Completing Tasks
Difficulty initiating tasks and activities
Starts tasks but may not finish
Doesn’t check to insure that each step is completed
Written work is poorly organized
Trouble Managing Time
Lacks planning or problem solving to complete tasks/assignments
Over-estimates or under-estimates time on needed tasks
Difficulties breaking tasks down into manageable parts

7. Executive Functioning Challenges
Trouble Managing Attention
Difficulty sustaining attention to tasks
Appears distractible and/or impulsive
Difficulty making transitions and/or coping with the unforeseen
Difficulty shifting focus
Social Difficulties
Exhibits inappropriate or over-reactive responses to situations
“Jumps the gun” socially
Picks smaller, immediate rewards over larger, delayed rewards
Doesn’t realistically evaluate performance in school

8. How is EF Assessed? - Checklists Formal Assessment Tools - Medical
- Psychiatric/Behavioral
- Psychological/Educational
- Neuropsychological
Informal Assessment Tools
- Checklists
- Observations
- Interviews
- Rating Scales

9. Executive Function Rating Scale

10. Designing Interventions
Key Factors for choosing and implementing interventions and supports is determining “Cannot” vs. “Will Not” behavior.
“Cannot” are the behaviors that are NOT within student’s control.
Skill Deficit: The student does not have sufficient knowledge/skills to exhibit the desired behavior(s)
“Will not” behaviors are those that the student has control over but is opting to make unproductive behavior choices.
Performance Deficit: The student knows how to perform the desired behavior but does not consistently do so. 10 10

11. Choosing Accommodations11 11

12. Strategy Instruction Model
Directly Teach Instructional ,Behavioral & Social Skill Strategies:
* Describe the strategy. Students obtain an understanding of the strategy -why it is
important, when it can be used, and how to use it.
* Model its use. The teacher models the strategy, explaining to the students how to
perform it.
* Provide ample assisted practice time. The teacher monitors, provides cues, and
gives feedback. Practice results in automaticity so the student doesn't have to
"think" about using the strategy.
* Promote student self-monitoring and evaluation of personal strategy use. Students
will likely use the strategy if they see how it works for them; it will become part of
their learning schema.
* Encourage continued use and generalization of the strategy. Students are
encouraged to try the strategy in other learning situations. 12 12

13. Academic Toolbox
Modify the classroom environment: create and label work areas, quiet space and flow of movement
Teach Rules & Procedures – Post them with visual examples.
Post a Daily Visual Schedule of Activities.
Review upcoming changes to schedule or environment
Accompany oral directions/instruction with written ones
Provide signals prior to transitions between activities and locations (verbal, physical, visual, auditory)
Take step-by-step approaches to work; rely on visual organizational aids.
Use tools like time organizers, computers or watches with alarms.
Teach organization methods and schedule time to execute
Use multi-sensory methods to assist memory

14. Task Initiation Strategies

15. Checklists & Task Cards15 15

16. The Hierarchy of Task Execution
Is the Student Aware? Are they Reading the Room?
Do they have a Future Picture?
Do they Know and Sense the Passage of Time?
Are the Key Features Organized in their Mind?
(Big Picture Features Details)
Have they accessed any Notes to Self?
Do they recall last Time how Things Worked Out?
Do they have a Plan for managing the steps, the time and the materials?
How do they initiate best? 16

17. Planning Tool My Goal Future – How will it Look?
Time – Length, due date etc
Obstacles – Internal & External
My Plan – Steps for competing task
Review – What Worked? What Did or Did Not Work? 17

18. Task Support Tools
Post a Daily Schedule With Time & Activities 18

19. Time Management Time Estimation:
Knowing the task, the steps involved and how long tasks will take.
Create checklists and “to do” lists and Task Cards.
Identify Time Robbers:
Chatting, surfing the computer, paper problems
Use tools like time organizers, computers or watches with alarms.
Use Daily Visual Schedules and Monthly Calendars
Post a Daily Schedule - Include the start & finish time, name of activity/period, any schedule changes. Orally preview the schedule each morning.
Use a monthly calendar - Break long assignments into chunks and assign time frames and due dates for completing each chunk. 19

20. Time Management

21. Organize Work Space & Tasks
Organize work space into specific areas.
Tape photos of organized space on desk and in locker
Minimize clutter.
Consider having separate work areas with complete sets of supplies for different activities.
Schedule a weekly time to clean and organize the work space.
Make a checklist for getting through assignments. For example, a student’s checklist could include such items as: get out pencil and paper; put name on paper; put due date on paper; read directions; etc.
Take step-by-step approaches for managing materials; rely on visual organizational aids.
Meet with a teacher or supervisor on a regular basis to review work; troubleshoot problems.

22. Organization Strategies

23. Organization Skills

24. Organization System Master Filing System -3 Ring Working Binder
Stays with the Student at home and at school
Contains the planner and current class materials
Has a monthly calendar, notes and handouts for each class
separated by a 2 pocket folder for paper and project information.
Color code folders and spiral notebooks with subjects
If a single class requires more space of a whole binder, than the organization of this separate binder mimics the organization of the working binder
System
Model for them what the system looks like, and help them use it every day until it becomes habit.
The key to this system is regular cleanouts of folders. Ideally, the cleanout will be done as part of preparing for a test or other project for the unit.
Consistent use and guided practice are the keys to success! 24

25. Homework Organization
Homework Folder
Create Homework Folders
– One side to turn in homework
– One side for picking up homework
• Make a choice with this
– File it away?
– Leave on my desk for class discussion?
– Do I want to ask the teacher a question about it?
Assignment Page:
Math Worksheet - 6 problems
Materials: Worksheet/ Notes from Class
Due Tuesday
Strategy: Multiplication chart
Purpose: Practice What you Have Learned 25

26. Self-Monitoring Tools
Train kids to periodically self-monitor
Highlight math operations or other important information (directions – not, but, compare and contrast, give three reasons).
Proofread out loud and by reading backwards
Provide direct instruction and practice in self-monitoring one’s work. E.g., re-read directions when DONE and see if you followed them.
Directly teach students to identify situations and tasks that are distractions or that cause emotional/behavioral distress
Use self-monitoring charts to help students evaluate their academic performance, social interactions and behavior
Reinforce the correct use of self-monitoring skills

27. Strategies to Support Focus & Attention

28. Positive Behavior Supports28 28

29. Behaviors Strategies Attention/Control Behaviors
- Increase Student Control and Choices include one or more of the following:
❒ include student in planning and problem solving
❒ include student’s family in planning and problem solving
❒ allow flexibility in student’s daily schedule
❒ shorten time student is involved in each activity
❒ allow student to sit in a favorite location
❒ allow student to select the order of assignments
❒ allow the student to suggest own learning activity
❒ teach the student to check and evaluate effort and work
❒ allow student to take constructive breaks when needed. 29

30. Behavior Strategies Escape/Avoidance Behaviors
- The following supports match the function of behaviors that serve the need to avoid or escape an activity, event or person.
❒ increase student’s personal control and choices
❒ increase student’s status, self-esteem and/or image
❒ match teaching strategies to student strengths and interests
❒ match instructional activities and materials to student strengths and interests
❒ directly teach deficit skill replacements
❒ match expected responses/testing methods to student’s strengths and interests
❒ ensure work is at an appropriate level of difficulty
❒ ensure directions and instructions are extremely clear
❒ provide visual cues and prompts 30

31. Problem Solving Tools
STAR CHART

32. Regulating Behavior & Emotions
Self-Regulation & Monitoring Behavior
- The following supports match the function of behavior that serves the need to self-regulate one’s behavior.
❒ increase student’s personal control and choices
❒ match teaching strategies to student’s strengths and interests
❒ match instructional activities and materials to student sensory strengths and interests
❒ match expected responses/testing methods to student’s strengths and interests
❒ increase student’s status, self-esteem and/or image
❒ teach self-regulation skills
❒ provide opportunities for movement in and around the classroom or school
❒ increase staff understanding of the impact sensory difficulties may have on learning and participation 32

33. Social Awareness & Flexible Thinking

34. Self-Monitoring Charts

35. Self-Monitoring Charts

36. Strategies to Support Emotional Control36 36

37. Strategies to Support Emotional Control

38. Social Thinking Tools

39. Helpful Websites
CHADD - The largest ADHD support organization which has science-based information.
Do2Learn – Free visual supports, games & activities
Goodwill Community Foundation free online learning to improve technology, literacy and math skills 
Intervention Central  – RTI and PBIS resources
Learning Disabilities Online – Resources for Learning Disabilities and/or ADHD
Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) – Positive behavioral resources
The Incredible 5 Point Scale – Uses visual strategies for teaching Social Skills
SetBC – Go to Picture Set for behavior and academic resources & supports (One of My Favorites)
Social Thinking – Methods for teaching social awareness and skills 39 39