Learning Diversity

Executive Functioning

Impaired Executive Function can impact significantly on students with autism /ADHD/ ADD/ ODDs ability to learn and engage in busy learning environments. Executive functioning refers to the part of your brain that organises, prioritises as well as regulates emotions. Executive Functioning can be improved.

Sue Larkey has put together a podcast of strategies that can be used to improve Executive Functioning. This podcast can be accessed from her website. 

Strategies that can be used to help with executive functioning.

Working Memory

This is the inability to hold information in your mind and use it to complete a task. If you have working memory issues you will struggle with multi-step tasks, have difficulty remembering directions, taking notes or understanding something you’ve just had explained.

Strategies that can be used to help improve Working Memory

• Visuals -The more visuals the better
• Model – SHOW what you want, Don’t Tell
• Co-actively do activities: learn best BY DOING and being involved in learning ie hand over hand for handwriting.
• Slow it down, Break it Down (instructions etc)
• Get students to repeat in own words instructions/direction