Ah, middle and high school. The time when life is a chaotic mix of hormones, homework, and the eternal quest to find your locker. Now, imagine trying to navigate this delightful mess without executive function skills. For neurodiverse students, it’s like juggling flaming swords while riding a unicycle on a tightrope. But fear not! With a bit of creativity and practical strategies, we can help them succeed and even have some fun along the way.
1. Narrate Your Thought Process – Make Thinking Visible
One of the best ways to help students understand complex tasks is by thinking aloud. Narrate your thought processes when explaining instructions, organizing assignments, or solving problems. “First, we read the passage, then highlight key points, and finally, summarize the information.” Additionally, teach students to circle the verbs and action words in the prompts, highlight the purpose of the assignment, and identify the audience for their work. Understanding the audience can help determine the tone and style of their writing. This method helps students follow along and see how tasks are broken down into manageable steps.
2. Embrace Graphic Organizers – Structure and Simplify with Mind Maps
Graphic organizers are invaluable tools for helping students structure their thoughts and assignments. Provide students with a variety of organizers for different tasks and show them how to use them. For example, mind maps can be particularly effective for brainstorming and organizing ideas. Show students how to start with a central concept and branch out into related ideas, creating a visual representation of their thoughts. These tools can make complex information more accessible and easier to manage.
3. Harness the Power of Technology – Engage and Organize
Technology can be a great ally in teaching executive function skills. Use apps, videos, and online audiobooks, along with visual examples and interactive activities to pair with readings. We introduce students to tools like Google Calendar, Microsoft Office Calendar, and Homework Helper apps. These can alert students to upcoming deadlines, help them chunk assignments into manageable goals, and remind them of important tasks. For instance, setting a reminder for each stage of a project can keep students on track and reduce last-minute stress.
4. Celebrate Daily Wins – Praise Progress and Effort
Parents, instead of focusing solely on grades and checking them daily, consider celebrating your child’s daily achievements. Praise them for turning in all their assignments on time and completing their tasks. At the end of the week, take them out for a small reward, like ice cream, on a Friday. This not only acknowledges their hard work but also gives you quality time together. The real reward is your attention and encouragement, which can significantly boost their confidence and motivation.
5. Show Interest, Not Pressure – Lighten Conversations
Parents, instead of starting the conversation at the end of the day by asking what they got on a test or quiz, try asking what they had for lunch at school or if anything funny happened. This approach can lighten the conversation and make your child feel more relaxed. Try not to police the student but show genuine interest in their day. Let our Focus First executive function coach handle the hard conversations and be the middle person so you don’t have to. Your support and interest can make a significant difference in their overall well-being and academic success.
Creating a supportive and safe environment where students can explore and practice these strategies is essential. Encourage them to experiment with different tools and techniques to find what works best for them. Remember, mastering executive function skills can greatly impact their ability to succeed in school and beyond. Let Focus First Academic Coaches help them build these skills with practical, approachable methods that make learning enjoyable.