By Saskia Nilsen, M.A. Learning Specialist and RITES advocate Good executive functioning is the key to success with life skills. Here are some steps you can take to help your child get more organized and cope with temporary road blocks at home: Model Flexible Thinking: We often make hundreds of decisions a day - chicken or beef tacos for dinner, answer the phone or call back later, etc. A … [Read more...]
Part 3: Handling Homework with Executive Functioning Challenges
By Saskia Nilsen, M.A. Learning Specialist and RITES advocateAddressing difficulties with homework can be the difference between students just getting by and their ability to reach their academic potential. Here are a few key steps in the process of helping a child with executive functioning challenges be successful with homework:Communicate with your child’s teacher(s): Often executive … [Read more...]
Part 1: What Is Executive Function?
By Saskia Nilsen M.A., Learning specialist and RITES child advocate"Executive Function" is a buzz word in education these days based on more recent brain research. But what does all this buzz mean for the average student with executive functioning challenges? Executive functioning is a broad term that refers to numerous mental processes:PlanningOrganizingStrategizingPaying attentionRemembering … [Read more...]
Part 2: How Does Executive Functioning Affect Learning?
By Saskia Nilsen, M.A. Learning Specialist and RITES advocateExecutive functioning affects learning and influences how your child performs in school on just about any type of academic assignment. People with EF challenges can have difficulty:Planning a projectComprehending how much time a project will take to complete Telling a story verbally or in writing because they have trouble communicating … [Read more...]
How to Get Organized for the School Year in 10 Easy Steps
The start of school can be overwhelming with the amount of materials needed and getting up to speed with new routines. Getting organized is one of the best ways to get a handle on the new school year and prepare for academic success. Here are 10 easy tips on how to get started on the right track from our study skills expert, Saskia Nilsen:1. Get a PLANNER! Whether you write your homework down in … [Read more...]