Executive Functioning

ESSD Inservice Jan. 2015

The Why
http://youtu.be/-vtLXZEEGYw

What is Executive Functioning?

brain based skills that are required for humans to execute, or
perform, tasks

can be divided into two dimensions: thinking and doing

Milk.

Suzie is watching TV and wants a glass of milk. List

the steps needed to get the glass of milk.

Two Dimensions of Executive Skills

Thinking Skills:

Doing Skills:

Working Memory

Response Inhibition

Planning/prioritizing

Emotional Control

Organization

Sustained Attention

Time management

Task Initiation

Metacognition

Goal-Directed Persistence
Flexibility

Overview:
http://youtu.be/efCq_vHUMqs

How do
Executive Skills
Develop in the
Brain?
Biology

-the potential for executive skills is innate, already

hardwired into the brain at birth
-BUT they exist only as potential
-biological factors can influence how these skills
develop

AND

Experience

-development of frontal lobe

initially we are their frontal lobe-at 5 to 6 months they
begin to develop working memory

What are your strengths and

weaknesses?
Before we can help students do better, we must first identify our own
strengths and weaknesses. Conflicts can arise if we have strengths
in areas that students are weak.

Your Turn!
(take the quiz)

1. I dont jump to conclusions.

Rating Scale
Strongly disagree 1
Disagree 2

2. I think before I speak.

3. I dont take action without having all the
facts.
Total Score:

Tend to disagree 3
Neutral 4
Tend to agree 5
Agree 6
Strongly agree 7

4. I have a good memory for facts, dates, and

details.
5. I am very good at remembering the things I
have committed to do.
6. I seldom need reminders to complete
tasks.
Total Score:

Rating Scale
Strongly disagree 1

7. My emotions seldom get in the way when performing on the

job.
8. Little things do not affect me emotionally or distract me from
the task at hand.

Disagree 2

9. I can defer my personal feelings until after a task has been

completed.

Tend to disagree 3

Total Score:

Neutral 4

10. No matter what the task, I believe in getting started as

soon as possible.

Tend to agree 5
11. Procrastination is usually not a problem for me.
Agree 6
Strongly agree 7

12. I seldom leave tasks to the last minute.

Total Score:

Rating Scale
Strongly disagree 1

13. I find it easy to stay focused on my work.

14. Once I start and assignment, I work diligently until
its completed.

Disagree 2

15. Even when interrupted, I find it easy to get back and

complete the job at hand.

Tend to disagree 3

Total Score:

Neutral 4

16. When I plan out my day, I identify priorities and stick

to them.

Tend to agree 5
Agree 6
Strongly agree 7

17. When I have a lot to do, I can easily focus on the

most important things.
18. I typically break big tasks into subtasks and
timelines.
Total Score:

19. I am an organized person.

Rating Scale

20. It is natural for me to keep my work area neat and

organized.

Strongly disagree 1

21. I am good at maintaining systems for organizing my

work.

Disagree 2
Tend to disagree 3
Neutral 4
Tend to agree 5

Total Score:
22. At the end of the day, Ive usually finished what I set
out to do.
23. I am good at estimating how long it takes to do
something.

Agree 6
Strongly agree 7

24. I am usually on time for appointments and activities.

Total Score:

25. I think of myself as being driven to meet my goals.

Rating Scale
Strongly disagree 1
Disagree 2
Tend to disagree 3
Neutral 4
Tend to agree 5
Agree 6
Strongly agree 7

26. I easily give up immediate pleasures to work on

long-term goals.
27. I believe in setting and achieving high levels of
performance.
Total Score:
28. I routinely evaluate my performance and devise
methods for personal improvements.
29. I am able to step back from a situation to make
objective decisions.
30. I read situations well and can adjust my behavior
based on the reactions of others.
Total Score:

Rating Scale

31. I take unexpected events in stride.

32. I easily adjust to changes in plans and priorities.

Strongly disagree 1

33. I consider myself flexible and adaptive to change.

Disagree 2

Total Score:

Tend to disagree 3
Neutral 4
Tend to agree 5
Agree 6
Strongly agree 7

List top 3 scores, and bottom three

scores...
For example:
top scores 4-6, 19-21, and 10-12
lowest scores 31-33, 7-9, 13-15

KEY

Items

Execut
ive
Skill

Items

Execut
ive
Skill

1-3

Respo
nse
Inhibiti
on

4-6

Workin
g
Memor
y

7-9

Emotio
nal
Contro
l

10-12

Task
Initiatio
n

13-15

Sustai
ned
Attenti
on

16-18

Planni
ng/Prio
ritizatio
n

My Results.not shocking
Strengths: Working Memory, Organization, Task Initiation

Weaknesses: Flexibility, Emotional Control, Metacognition

BREAK!

10 Principles for Improving Executive

Skills in Children
Read about your assigned number-be prepared to share.