Each of us navigates daily life — learning, work, recreation and relationships — thanks to intrinsic skills called executive functions.
Children and adults with learning and attention issues—including learning disabilities (LD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)—often struggle profoundly with many of these skills that most of us take for granted. To better understand and support your kids when they lack certain executive skills, it helps to know about the underlying brain functions that go awry to create such challenges.
Executive Function 101, an e-book authored by the National Center for Learning Disabilities, is designed to explain executive functions in a clear, understandable way and to help you pinpoint the struggles your child might experience. It’s organized into three broad categories where executive skills come into play:
learning
behavior and emotions
social situations and relationships
Each section includes tips for providing support and practice in specific skill areas. Even if your children don’t struggle with executive function, you may come to appreciate their executive skills and learn how to help them shore up those that need work!