Executive functioning is a set of mental skills that includes working memory, mental flexibility, and self-control. We rely on these skills every day to learn, work, and manage our lives. Students with executive functioning challenges demonstrate difficulty focusing on tasks, following directions, regulating their emotions, and cognitive flexibility. The resources posted here highlight and examine executive functions, how executive function disorders develop, and effective interventions in strengthening students’ executive functioning skills.
This article and its accompanying video explains what executive function is and the impact of the environment on children in the successful development of their executive functioning skills.
Video illustrating the connection between neurological development and executive function.
The guide includes developmentally based, activities guide to enhance and strengthen executive function skills for children beginning in infancy through adolescence.
This e-book contains explicit descriptions of behavioral, cognitive, organization /management aspects of executive functioning, and targeted recommended interventions.
Summary of research on executive function and implications for students with learning disabilities.
This learning module is an in-depth exploration of executive functions, as they relate to students with learning disabilities (LDs) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), at all grade levels.
This article from the Aspergers/Autism Network examines students with Aspergers (high functioning autism) who demonstrate executive functioning challenges-interventions to assist these students.
What are some common ways to accommodate students struggling with executive function?
Curated by Cooke Institute