Important Terminology 

Executive functioning is related to structural and chemical differences in the brain. Executive functioning skills help us: 

• • • • Working memory: How much we can retain to complete tasks and organize our thoughts 

      • Sequencing: Plan ahead, follow multiple steps, meet goals

      • Regulation and Self-Control: Recognize and work through emotions, impulses, and distractions  

Executive Dysfunction is often misjudged by others as being lazy, rigid, inconsiderate, picky, reactive, or unreliable. These skills are involved with productivity but also impact our social interactions and emotional health. 

• Cannot hold enough info in working memory to feel sure about anything 

• Difficulty predicting outcomes for big decisions = anxiety producing 

• Cannot arrange steps in one's mind to make informed choices 

• Difficulty imagining possible scenarios to plan for 

Things that can cause dysregulation:

• Sensory sensitivities: sounds, light, temperature, smells, tastes, textures 

• Unexpected changes 

• Emotions: disappointment, anger, sadness, confusion, embarrassment, excitement, etc. 

• Masking: forced eye contact, forcing themselves to sit still, over-socializing 

What can you do?

• Support and encourage regulation - their needs aren't being met 

• Access to tools and strategies - headphones, fidgets, rockers, alternative seating/standing 

• Don't skip movement breaks or regular breaks 

"Imagine how it feels to live with executive dysfunction. When you cannot imagine how long something will take, what steps are involved, what the outcomes might be, or how to get there, the change of everything feels like 50/50. It makes everything feel like a coin toss between survival or disaster." https://neuroclastic.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Executive-Function-Part-1.pdf 

⭐ How to support someone with executive dysfunction: https://neuroclastic.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Executive-Function-Part-2.pdf ⭐

This is a word you will often hear in the Neurodivergent communities. ND people are more likely to be monotropic, which can mean more energy and resources are being focused on fewer interests, tasks, or sensory inputs at one time. 

Often referred to as special interests but includes much more. Focusing on special interests can be relaxing and recharging, can reduce anxiety, and help manage social interactions. 

Embracing monotropism supports positive ND mental health through:  

• Predictability 

• Sensory regulation 

• Reducing anxiety and depression 

• Having great attention to detail 

• A deeper knowledge and skills 

• High levels of focus and attention 

There are 8 senses and the needs associated with each may present in different ways.

1. Olfactory: sense of smell 

2. Tactile: sense of touch 

3. Auditory: sense of hearing 

4. Gustatory: sense of taste 

5. Visual: sense of sight 

6. *Vestibular: sense of movement, balance, spatial orientation 

7. *Proprioception: sense of body awareness and strength 

8. *Interoception: sense of the internal body systems 

Our brains process sensory information in different ways. Some neurodivergent people, in particular, process sensory input more intensely (hypersensitive) or less intensely (hyposensitive) than others. It affects how the brain takes in, organizes, and uses messages we receive through the body. 

Perhaps a person has heightened sensitivities to certain smells, different frequencies of lights, the textures of food, or types of fabrics, or even emotions. 

Perhaps a person is not always aware when their body is hungry until hunger pains hit them out of the blue and it's unbearable. Or a person may not be aware they need to use the washroom until they really need to use the washroom. 

Recognize sensory overload is real. When NDs are overstimulated through their senses, it goes beyond "discomfort." These hypersensitivities can cause a ND person physical pain. It's important to response to these situations with kindness and understanding. It is not an "overreaction" and the situation "isn't that bad." The ND person is disregulating and may need time or space to re-regulate.

Things that can be hard for NDs: 

• Crowded hallways 

• Fire alarms and school bells 

• Busy, bright display boards 

• Strong smells 

• Fluorescent lights 

• Sticky textures 

• Soft foods 

• Tags on clothing 

• Seams on socks 

• Dishes and cutlery clanging 

Strategies: 

• Offer sensory friendly spaces - quiet corners, dim lighting, noise reduction headphones 

• Stim tools - stimming is a way many with SPD help regulate themselves

• Help them feel seen and heard - validate that their experiences are real 

Great website explaining the senses: https://neurodivergentinsights.com/blog/8-senses 

Self-stimulating actions that are repeated to stimulate the senses. 

Stimming comes from the word stimulation. Stimming is a human action. We all stim! But NDs tend to stim more frequently for various regulation reasons. Stimming helps us in many ways. It can help us cope with difficult situations, help us focus on tasks, calm ourselves, and even express joy! 

Stimming is not a negative behaviour and does not seek the attention of others. It helps us regulate emotions and navigate situations. It is also a form of communication. NDs might be trying to communicate their needs, thoughts, and emotions through various stims. 

Examples of stims connected to the senses:

• Vocal: singing, humming, whistling, repeating words/phrases, mimicking sounds, squealing 

• Visual: glitter/sparkles, cloud gazing, lining objects up, turning lights on/off, snow globes, sensory lamps, colour coding, watching same movies/shows repeatedly   

• Auditory: Tapping sounds, snapping fingers, clicking pens, listening to the same songs on repeat 

• Taste/smell: crunchy foods, biting/chewing, candles, thumb sucking, licking, smelling objects, safe foods  

• Tactile: hair twirling, feeling the wind, soft clothes, petting animal, bean bags, soft plushies, walking on grass, bubble wrap, playing with water

• Vestibular/Proprioceptive: hand flapping, spinning, rocking, bouncing, swings, hanging upside down, tip toes, pacing, dancing 

Hiding your authentic self in an effort to gain social acceptance. 

We all wear different hats throughout our lives. The way we perform our role as parent, child, teacher, sibling, friend, or colleague may look or feel different to when we are on our own. This is a normal human response to different situations. This is not masking. 

Masking can be a conscious or unconscious response to others. Often it involves suppressing ones true emotions or behaviours. Masking happens to make OTHER people comfortable around us. NDs will suppress natural responses or emotions because when we've expressed those responses in the past, they may not have been well received. 

NDs may not even be aware that they are masking. They may have observed those around them to learn the "socially acceptable" and "expected" ways to interact with others. They may have learned through interactions with family, friends, peers, and teachers that certain responses are met with disdain, anger or frustration, and not being accepted. So NDs will suppress these reactions to avoid negative responses from others. 

Masking is EXHAUSTING and takes a huge mental toll on NDs. It can lead to burn out, disregulation, melt downs, and shut downs. NDs may need time to regroup after school, work, meetings, and social events. Finally, it's important to note that NDs are not trying to "trick" others. This is a desperate attempt to fit in with a society not designed for them. 

The neuroaffirming term is Situational Mutism. The medical diagnosis is "selective mutism." 

Defined by the inability to speak or communicate effectively in specific social settings while retaining the abulity to speak and communicate in familiar, comfortable, and relaxed settings. Situational Mutism is caused by high levels of anxiety. 

A person who is situationally mute is not doing it on purpose or trying to be difficult. "Selective" implies a choice is involved but that is not the case. It is situation-based. 

Using the Google Meet chat, AAC devices, written responses on paper or white boards provide alternative communication options.