Metacognition

awareness or analysis of one's own learning or thinking processes

A young fifth-grader proudly checked in that his metacognition was getting better. “I’m beginning to think about making choices. I’m not making better choices, but at least I’m thinking about them!”

Time Management

ability to recognize when it's time to get started on something and begin without procrastination

For the folks with executive functioning time challenges it is critical to have analog clocks constantly in sight in order to be able to see the passage of time since our brain doesn’t keep track of time.

You need analog clocks wherever you tend to lose track of time...

Flexibility

ability to change strategies or revise plans when conditions change

Not only can cognitive flexibility help you when you’re faced with an obstacle, it’s responsible for updating your belief system when presented with new or better information. For example.....

Task Initiation

ability to recognize when it's time to get started on something and begin without procrastination

Task initiation for non-preferred activities might show up with your child when they are told to clean their room or put on their shoes. As parents, we know the struggle that is getting kids to get moving! 

There is a point when procrastination ...

Working Memory

ability to hold information in mind and use it to complete a task

When you need to remember a phone number, a shopping list or a set of instructions, you rely on working memory. It’s the ability to hold and manipulate information in mind. It’s for things that are important to you in the present moment.

Sustained Attention

ability to maintain one's  focus  and  attention  in the presence of distractions and other activities

Sustained attention involves the ability to return to an activity when interrupted and to persist in attending to a tedious or boring task.

Planning and Prioritization

ability to distinguish main ideas from low-relevance details while planning time and effort

"I have been focusing a lot lately on the executive function skill of “future thinking” or planning and prioritization, which is required for meeting multi-step goals."

Goal-Directed Persistence

“stick-to-itiveness,"; the ability to set a goal; ongoing efforts and attention to achieve goal

Persistence is needed when a task becomes boring, when it is interrupted, and when one needs to change strategies in order to reach the goal. Persistence involves sequencing, willfulness, and the ability to learn from experience...

Organization

ability to create and maintain systems to keep track of information and/or materials

Have you noticed that loose papers are rapidly accumulating, expensive supplies have gone missing, and that backpack seems suspiciously bloated? This is the perfect time to keep calm and get organized with a few tips.

Response Inhibition

ability to control feelings and behaviors in order to make good decisions

At school, children who struggle with these skills may present as fidgety, disorganized, hyperactive, overly talkative, anxious, unfocused, impulsive, or bored. It is difficult to keep them focused on the task at hand...

Controlling Emotion



ability to manage feelings by thinking about goals

When events occur in  the environment. attention  is directed to these situations for further processing. People ‘appraise’ the meaning of these situations generating responses that are not only emotional but..