Everyone talks about executive functioning skills, but they often seem elusive, really abstract, and like a catch-all term. So, what ARE they and how do we target them if they are areas of need for our students?!
Executive functioning (EF) skills are MENTAL skills. They can certainly be taught and strengthened if you find a student in your class or on your caseload is really lagging in a specific area. The thing about EF skills are that they’re essential. It’s hard to function (seriously) when one area of executive functioning is lacking. And, we ALL struggle in these areas – me included at the top of the list. Many of us have independently found or created coping skills to compensate for our deficit areas. It’s important to acknowledge that these areas can be tricky for everyone.
Tons of skills fall into EF, but many experts tell us that all of these skills fall into 3 broader areas…
1.) Inhibition
Can a child ignore distractions around them? Can they absorb impulses to do things like blurt out answers or walk away from a potential aggressive fight?
A child who struggles with inhibition may need repeated and explicit instruction surrounding emotional regulation, hand raising, and/or using their social filter in conversation.
2.) Flexible thinking
Can the child conceptualize there is more than one way of doing an activity? Does the child understand and tolerate that someone may have a different opinion?
A child who struggles with flexible thinking may argue over how to complete a math problem if there is more than one way to answer it, and/or struggle to accept a change in the daily schedule.
3.) Memory
Can the child hold on to information that was taught or told to them, and apply it? Can they follow simple through complex directions?
A child who struggles with memory/working memory may appear to have attention challenges, present with organization difficulties, and/or struggle to apply information that was told to or taught to them.
I’m sure you’re noticing how many skills would fall into each overarching area that can deeply affect the way an individual functions throughout the day. It’s hard to wait for the bus that’s running late when you struggle with inhibition, it would be a challenge to express empathy when a situation doesn’t go your way when flexible thinking is a struggle, and difficult to help set up the classroom for the science experiment when your working memory skills are lagging. Many of these deficits are then seen as laziness, defiance, or the blanket statement of “attention challenges”. Those might be true, but if the underlying cause are EF deficits, THAT is where we need to start our interventions!
How have you seen executive functioning skills play out in your classroom?
If you’re looking for some quality executive functioning supports, look no further!