Relates to difficulty in self
regulation, organizing, integration, or high order
reasoning skills.
"Executive Function disorder, is a disability of not
being able to show what you know"
Executive Function disorder is
associated with many disabilities: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder (AD/HD), Learning Disabilities (LD), Tourette Syndrome (TS) ,
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Autism, Depression, Bipolar, etc.
Most people with AD/HD also
have
Executive Function
Disorder, but someone can have Executive Function
Disorder without being diagnosed with a disability. Executive
Function program and services would be needed if the
student progress in the general growth in the acquisition of knowledge
and
skills, are being negativity impacted.
Executive Function Skills, by Sarah
Ward, MS, CCC-SLP
, February, 2007 SPED PAC
Presentation
3 Primary Layers of Executive
Functions:
Self Regulation
Awareness
Motivation
Initiation
Emotional Control
i. Self
awareness
ii.
Self monitor
(the ability to inhibit or delay responding, which
permits impulse control,
resistance
to distraction and delay of
gratification)
iii.
Metacognition (Learning how to learn)
Organization and
Integration
Integrate details
into a bigger picture
Organize and store
information so it can be traced back and retrieved over time (Episodic
Memory),
(used for planning for the future)
Higher Order
Reasoning Skills
Analyze
Draw a conclusion
Solve a problem
Predict an outcome
Reason
Evaluate
Executive Function Programs:
Center for
Speech and Language Pathology, Lincoln,
MA Highly
individualized programs are
designed to meet individual needs based on the most current research.
To maximize effectiveness and independent carryover of learned
skills,
we use therapy approaches that develop an individual's “meta-skills”
and “executive function skills”.
Institute
for Learning & Development (ILD), Lexington, MA New Technology Enhanced Metacognitive
Strategies & Tools Lexington based Research Institute for
Learning and Development (ResearchILD) has just received a significant
grant to fund a new year-long pilot and research study to measure the
efficacy of two of its innovative metacognitive and executive
functioning software applications designed to help improve academic
performance. (does not accept health insurance) Hallowell
Center, Sudbury, MA The Hallowell Center provides a
comprehensive approach to care. Our staff consists of a
multidisciplinary team of psychiatrists, neuropsychologists, clinical
psychologists, social workers, coaches, educators, and a nutritional
consultant. Has support groups, ADD Coaching, several treatment
methods, etc. (does not accept
health insurance)
Executive
Function Coaches - Landmark College,
Putney, VT Coaching Services provides a specific
and unique type of support. They are designed for students who struggle
with the various aspects of academic work production known as
"executive functioning." These include:
•
Planning and prioritizing; • Organizing; • Remembering to do intended tasks; • Getting started; • Sustaining motivation; • Self-monitoring; • Managing multiple tasks; • Following through to completion.
Executive functions can be assessed
using some tests. We know of two currently on the market:
Behavior
Rating Inventory of Executive Function
(BRIEF) consists of two rating forms - a parent
questionnaire and a teacher questionnaire
(84 questions) designed
to assess executive
functioning in the home and school environments
Sorting
Test - Problem solving, verbal and
spatial concept formation, flexibility of thinking
on a conceptual task (Previously
called the California Sorting Test)
Trail Making
Test - Flexibility of thinking on a
visual motor task
Verbal Fluency
Test - Fluent
productivity in the verbal domain
Design Fluency
Test - Fluent productivity in the spatial
domain
Colour-Word Interference Test -
Verbal
inhibition
Tower
Test - Planning and reasoning in the spatial
modality,
impulsivity
20 Questions
Test - Hypothesis testing; verbal and spatial
abstract thinking, impulsivity
Word Context
Test - Deductive reasoning; verbal abstract thinking
Proverb
Test - Metaphorical thinking; generating versus
comprehending abstract thought
