executive function
TRANSCRIPT
Executive Function Deficits &
Coping Strategies~
Formative Thinking Assessment
Prepared and Presented By
Margaret CraryBehavior Interventionist
Academic Coach-ADD/ADHD/EF
Executive Function…
“What is EF?”
“Executive Function” is a term used to describe a set of mental processes that helps us connect past experience with present action. It is similar to a conductor’s role within an orchestra. The conductor manages, directs, organizes and integrates each memberof the orchestra. Without the conductor, the music would not flow as smoothly or sound as beautiful.
We use executive function when we perform such activities as:• Planning• Organizing• Strategizing and paying attention to and remembering details.
Executive Function Deficits
Problems can be seen at any age but tend to be increasingly apparent as children move through the early elementary grades; the demands of completing schoolwork independently can often trigger signs that there are difficulties in this area.
Poor Working Memory and Recall1. Affects the here and now:• Limited working memory capacity• Weak short-term memory (holding
information in mind for roughly twenty seconds; capacity-roughly the equivalent of seven numbers)
• Forgetfulness-can’t keep several things in mind
As a result, students: Have difficulty remembering and
following instructions. Have difficulty memorizing math
facts, spelling words, and dates. Have difficulty performing mental
computation such as math in one’s head.
Executive Function Deficits
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Poor Working Memory and Recall…continued…
Forget one part of a problem while working on another segment.
Have difficulty paraphrasing or summarizing.
2. Affect their sense of past events:• Difficulty recalling the pastAs a result, students: Do not learn easily from past
behavior (limited hindsight). Repeat misbehavior.
Executive Function Deficits
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Poor Working Memory and Recall…continued…
3. Affects their sense of time:• Difficulty holding events in mind• Difficulty using their sense of time to
prepare for upcoming events and the future
As a result, students: Have difficulty judging the passage
of time accurately. Do not accurately estimate how
much time it will take to finish a task; consequently, they may not allow enough time to complete work.
Executive Function Deficits
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Poor Working Memory and Recall…continued…
4. Affects their sense of self-awareness:• Diminished sense of self-awarenessAs a result, students: Do not easily examine or change their
own behavior.5. Affects their sense of the future:• Students live in the present-focus on the
here and now• Less likely to talk about time or plan for
the futureAs a result, students: Have difficulty projecting lessons
learned in the past, forward into the future(limited foresight).
Have difficulty preparing for the future.
Executive Function Deficits
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Executive Function Deficits• Many students with ADD or ADHD have
impaired working memory and slow processing speed, which are important elements of executive function. These skills are critical for writing essays and working math problems.
• Writing essays, drafting book reports or answering questions on tests or homework is often very challenging for these students.
• When writing essays, students have difficulty holding ideas in mind, acting upon and organizing ideas.
• Difficulty in quickly retrieving grammar, spelling and punctuation rules from long-term memory, manipulating all this information, remembering ideas to write down, organizing the material in a logical sequence, and then reviewing and correcting errors.
Executive Function Strategies
School Success Strategies1. Make the learning process as
concrete and visual as possible.Written expression• Dictate information to a “scribe” or
parent/guardian.• Use graphic organizer.• Use post-it notes to brain storm
essay ideas.Math• Use pair learning(teacher explains
problem, students make up their own example, swap problems, and discuss and correct answers.
• Use a peer tutor.
Executive FunctionStrategies
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School Success Strategies…continued…
Memory• Use mnemonics(memory tricks), such as
acronyms or acrostics, e.g., HOMES to remember names of the Great Lakes, Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie and Superior.
• Use visual posting of key information on strips of poster board.
2. Modify teaching methods.• Use an overhead projector to demonstrate
how to write an essay.(parent/guardian may simply write on paper or a computer to model this skill.)
• Use color to highlight important information.
• Use graphic organizers to help students organize their thoughts.
Executive FunctionStrategies
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School Success Strategies…continued…
3. Modify assignments-reduce written work.• Shorten assignments.• Check time spent on homework, and
reduce it if appropriate.• Write answers only, not the
questions(photocopy questions).4. Modify testing and grading.• Give extended time on tests.• Divide long-term projects into
segments with separate due dates and grades.
• Average two grades on essays-one for content and one for grammar.
Executive Function Strategies
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School Success Strategies…continued…
5. Modify level of support and supervision.• Appoint a “row captain” to check to
see that homework assignments are written down and later turned in to the teacher. Dr. Clare Jones has found this strategy effective.
• Increase the amount of supervision and monitoring for these students, if they’re struggling.
6. Use technology.• Use computer as often as possible.• Use software to help teach skills.
Executive Function Deficits
Executive Function Deficits Epilogue
Attention deficit disorder is often a very complex condition! It’s much more than just a simple case of hyperactivity.
• When deficits in executive function and related learning problems are present, students can try their very best and still not succeed in school!!
Executive Function
LD/EF Assessment Questions
1. Identify the student’s specific learning problems
• Written expression.• Math.• Reading.• Comprehension.2. Identify executive function deficits• Working memory.• Disorganization.• Forgetfulness.• Impaired sense of time.• Difficulty sustaining attention.
Executive Function
References/ Support
A Bird's-Eye View of Life with ADD and ADHD: Advice from Young Survivors.
A summary of the landmark NIMH study is available from
www.archpsyc.ama-assn.org; at the website click "Past Issues" December
1999.For more information contact CHADD at
8181 Professional Place, Suite 201, Landover, MD 20875; www.chadd.org See the original article for references
including Barkley, Brown, Dendy, Deshler, Levine, Mayes and Calhoun.