Reply to what does executive functioning disorder look like and how to remediate?

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[quote=Anonymous]From WebMD:

http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/guide/executive-function

Executive function refers to a set of mental skills that are coordinated in the brain's frontal lobe. Executive functions work together to help a person achieve goals.

Executive function includes the ability to:

manage time and attention
switch focus
plan and organize
remember details
curb inappropriate speech or behavior
integrate past experience with present action

When executive function breaks down, behavior becomes poorly controlled. This can affect a person's ability to:

work or go to school
function independently
maintain appropriate social relationships

Types of Executive Function
Executive function can be divided into two categories:

organization
regulation

Organization involves gathering information and structuring it for evaluation. Regulation involves taking stock of the environment and changing behavior in response to it.

To me, this exactly sounds like the "messy closet" - that's a great way to think about it.

I've seen 4 yr olds just not be able to follow the same routine done at the same time, in the same way (what to do to get lunchbox out, organized, eat, clean up, brush teeth, put out sheets on cot, sit on cot)  ..... child doesn't remember what to do, can't stay on task, gets distracted by every shiny object/child/request/noise and doesn't get one thing done, never mind all the rest.....  checklists, checklists, checklists.  Those help support the child - so in the cubby you have a 1000 slips of paper with checklist on it, small clipboard and pen attached with:

put away food and throw away trash
lunchbox into cubby
use toilet
wash hands
brush teeth
set up cot with blankets
get book for cot
rest on cot

child literally checks box off next to each item as s/he goes through it, when done throws away paper so tomorrow the clipboard is prepped and ready to go.

In the morning, you make checklist
toilet
get dressed
eat breakfast
toilet again
get backpack, coat, mittens, hat, boots on
get into car/walk to bus

before bed, etc. all need checklists.

When I've had children in my classroom, I would just say "look at your checklist' when they asked 'what should I do next" or I would remind them to check their list - that way I wasn't the bad guy, I wasn't giving too many words and confusing - they would check the list.

Obviously, if children can't read, you use simple sentences but also pictures of each item.[/quote]

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