Executive Functioning (EF) Parent Resources
EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING
PARENT RESOURCES
Helpful Tips for Parents
- Monitor grades, behavior, attendance
- Help student organize backpack weekly
- Establish a daily structured homework routine and assist student with work as needed
- Establish a structured routine in the home (e.g. bedtime, free time, wake-up time, meals)
- Check their planner - help them use their planner if needed
Websites
www.totalbehaviormanagement.com
APPS
- CourseNotes - provides notes, outlines, vocabulary terms, study guides, practice exams, flashcards
free
- Dragon Dictation - Speech-to-text service
start at $15/month
- EasyBib - generate citations, check for plagiarism, help with writing
free
- iAnnotate - also versions for Android etc.
$9.99
- Apple Books - also versions for Android etc.
free
- iStudiezPro - also versions for Android etc. sync data -
Organization
free
- MyHomework - planner
free
- Rescue Time - automatic time tracking
free to $9 per month, depending on the version
- Focus@Will - music to help you focus
free 15-day trial, then $9.95/month
- Freedom - app and website blocker
free trial, then $2.50/month
- Evernote - note-taking and organization
free for basic version, $7.99/month for personal, or $9.99/month for professional
- Mint - budget tracker
free
- Google Voice - e-mail or text transcriptions of voicemail message
free
- Boomerang for Gmail - meeting scheduler
10 messages free/mo plans start $4.99/mo
- Dropbox data storage
2 GB free plans start at 2 TB for $9.99/mo
- IFTTT If This Then That uses “channels” to create actions
free, plans start at $5/mo
- Unroll Me - unsubscribe from emails
Free
- Schedule Once - Schedules reminder emails
free 14-day trial, plans start at $10/month
- Finish - create to-do lists and set reminders
Free on IOS
- Priority Matrix - managing projects, responsibilities, your actions
plans start at $8/mo
- Autosilent - silence phone based on calendars,geo-fences, timers
$3.99 on IOS
- Freaky Alarm - Just as it sounds
$1.99 on IOS
- Wake and Shake - Hard to ignore alarm
$.99 on IOS
- Todoist - Subtask your tasks
free, or $3/month for Todoist premium
free
- WriteRoom - Text Editor
Mac; $9.99
- Writemator - Text Editor
IOS $2.99
- BrainSparker - overcome creative blocks
free
- Sleep as Android - tracks your sleeping patterns
free
- Sleep Cycle - tracks your sleeping patterns
free
- Podcasts - Search “ADHD,” “LD,” “self-help,” “productivity,”
What are executive functions?
Executive functions are skills that we all use every day to organize our lives and get things done. Executive functions include setting goals and priorities, making and following plans, remembering information, managing time, organizing possessions, and staying on top of tasks.
Some children have difficulty with executive functions. Even though they may be very intelligent, these kids struggle with things like staying organized and keeping up in school.
Executive functioning issues are most common in children with ADHD. Kids without ADHD can struggle with executive functioning as well.
What are the symptoms of executive function issues?
If a child struggles with executive functions, they will have trouble with organization, schoolwork, and time management. Signs include:
Organization issues:
- Often losing or forgetting important items
- Seeming unable to keep their room, desk or locker clean
Time management issues:
- Often being late due to disorganization or poor planning
- Trouble moving from one activity to the next
Challenges in school with:
- Memorizing facts
- Keeping track of important information
- Organizing ideas in writing
- Solving multi-step problems
- Finishing and turning in homework
How are executive function problems treated?
- Executive function weaknesses are treated with the help of teachers, psychologists and learning specialists.
- The plan should focus on the child’s strengths and also give them help where needed.
- A learning specialist can help children learn systems to build executive function skills. Kids can learn to use checklists, planners and other organizational and time management tools.