Common Sense is Not So Common

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When a child has difficulties with executive functioning, there are three main areas that may be affected: 

1. Working memory. The ability to hold on to and manipulate information for the purpose of completing a specific related task. Children who have challenges with working memory are likely to appear ‘forgetful’ and may forget information quickly, misplace their belongings regularly or forget sequences for tasks. 
2. Mental Flexibility. This skill helps us with sustaining attention, as well as being able to move from a situation, activity or aspect in response to the situational demands. Children who face challenges with being able to think flexibly may appear stuck on ideas or problems, or unable to formulate and/or match appropriate solutions to problems. They may also face challenges with being able to take another person’s perspective which may lead to awkward social interactions. 
3. Inhibitory Control. Being able to modulate and control our emotional response to a situation or a stressor enables us to refrain from acting on impulse. This skill enables us to slow down, think through our actions and make the right decisions for the situation in order to get things done. An inability to control oneself may result in having emotional reactions that do not match the problem, being easily upset, going too easily off task or even being unable to stop oneself from participating in inappropriate behaviours[FY4] .

Image: ADDtitude magazine

 When a child experiences difficulties with executive functioning, they may:

1. Have trouble initiating and/or completing tasks (i.e. beginning or completing homework, transitioning from play to mealtimes etc).
2. Be unable to prioritise appropriately.
3. Difficulty in following directions or a sequence.
4. Find coping with change challenging.
5. Have trouble organising their thoughts and belongings.
6. Have difficulties moving on.
7. Find it difficult to find appropriate solutions to problems.
8. Have overly emotional responses to situations.
9. Have trouble keeping track of their time.

Children can develop their executive functioning skills in a multitude of structured and fun and creative ways: 

1. To-do lists with visuals.
2. Use of visual aids to break down tasks into a step-by-step guide.
3. Participation in activities that require adherence to a sequence, such as cooking or crafts.
4. Encourage active participation in goal setting and planning the steps required to achieve that goal.
5. Mind mapping or scaffolding.
6. Building games like blocks, legos.
7. Recall/memory games.
8. Imaginary play can also be effective in allowing children to explore different situations and consequences, and figure out how to overcome said situations.
9. Impulse control games such as “What’s the Time Mr. Wolf” and other games that involve a ‘traffic light’, Simon Says, Freeze Dance or Musical Chairs.
10. Strategy games such as Chess, Checkers, Battleship or Chinese Checkers. 

Children are not born with executive functioning skills but they are born with the potential to develop them. If you feel your child may be facing challenges in these areas, it is always good to consult a professional who can help pinpoint the specific areas of difficulties and provide natural and functional learning opportunities for your child.

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