I thought it would be important to highlight these skills given they are a common “buzzword” among educational and psychological circles alike. The research discussion around executive functioning is likely not a fad, but instead an indication of the advancement in the field of education, psychology, and neuropsychology. Within the field of school psychology, executive functioning skills can be assessed and help to shed light on an individual’s intellectual and cognitive profile of strength and weaknesses; however, these skills are a compilation of abilities and weaknesses are not considered a disability on their own. Instead, weaknesses in this area are a set of weaknesses in a key set of mental skills such as task initiation, working memory, cognitive flexibility, inhibitory controls, mental shifting, and self-monitoring to name a few.
In essence, executive functioning skills support individuals in the mental planning, organizing, and execution of tasks to completion. In the classroom and at school, these tasks support students in managing and regulating their thoughts, actions, and emotions in order to get things done. If there is suspicions that a child may be experiencing executive functioning challenges any task requiring the above skills could be a challenge. Such things as taking cleaning ones bedroom to completing a school project can pose a challenge to a child with executive functioning difficulties. Basic tasks such as:
The image below illustrates the process of how executive functioning works. If executive functioning is working well for an individual this process will likely take just a few seconds to analyze a task and determine all the steps required to see that task through completion. On the contrary, if a student is struggling with this area of processing even a simple task can present challenges.
In essence, executive functioning skills support individuals in the mental planning, organizing, and execution of tasks to completion. In the classroom and at school, these tasks support students in managing and regulating their thoughts, actions, and emotions in order to get things done. If there is suspicions that a child may be experiencing executive functioning challenges any task requiring the above skills could be a challenge. Such things as taking cleaning ones bedroom to completing a school project can pose a challenge to a child with executive functioning difficulties. Basic tasks such as:
- Initiating a task
- Planning to complete a task
- Organizing the steps necessary to complete a task
- Determining the amount of time it takes to complete each step of the task
- Understanding how and when to make adjustments to an initial plan
- Completing tasks within the time allotted
The image below illustrates the process of how executive functioning works. If executive functioning is working well for an individual this process will likely take just a few seconds to analyze a task and determine all the steps required to see that task through completion. On the contrary, if a student is struggling with this area of processing even a simple task can present challenges.
Blog post written by:
Meka Tull, Director of School Partnerships
Meka Tull, Director of School Partnerships
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