Teachers: Check out this research-based framework to better understand why your students with executive functioning challenges frequently struggle with routine classroom tasks.

<h2>How Executive Functioning Skills Impact School Performance</h2><p>The next time you…</p><ul><li>remember where you put your keys</li><li>make it to work with time to spare</li><li>Have your lessons planned and materials prepared in advance.</li><li>&nbsp;find all of your students’ papers</li><li>listen to a colleague without interrupting</li><li>sit still for a faculty meeting</li><li>Stop yourself from eating an entire container of ice cream when you get home from work.</li></ul><p>… thank your executive functioning skills!</p><p>If you don’t struggle with executive functioning, these may not sound like monumental accomplishments. However, individuals with executive functioning challenges struggle with routine activities like these daily, and the stress of exerting so much effort to complete tasks (which seem simple for so many others) can be frustrating, defeating and even overwhelming.</p><h2>How Executive Dysfunction Impacts Students</h2><p>The situation is similar for students. Children and teens with executive functioning challenges may frequently:</p><ul><li>Be late for school</li><li>Get lost while changing classes</li><li>Forget to complete homework</li><li>Misplace assignments</li><li>Have disorganized notebooks and backpacks</li><li>Have trouble beginning or completing tasks or projects</li><li>Seem depressed or overwhelmed</li><li>Show emotional outbursts</li><li>Interrupt peers and teachers</li><li>Speak poorly about themselves</li><li>Struggle to get along with others</li><li>Have trouble taking turns</li><li>Become distracted by sounds, smells or lights</li><li>Daydream</li><li>Fidget</li></ul><p>It takes executive functioning to <a href="https://www.crosscountryeducation.com/blogs/adhd-and-stimulation-seeking-behavior" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">sit still</a>, <a href="https://www.crosscountryeducation.com/blogs/giving-students-frequent-breaks-can-support-their-success" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">listen</a>, control impulses, solve problems, get organized, complete tasks, and be on time!</p><h2>Understanding Executive Functioning Skills</h2><p>Some of your students may have diagnoses that involve executive function disorders (with 504 plans or IEPs), while others may have undiagnosed or mild executive challenges. Fortunately, understanding the executive functioning skills needed for success in the traditional classroom environment can help you help all of your students. Various researchers have developed frameworks outlining executive functioning skills, including Tom Brown, Ph.D., a leading researcher and clinical psychologist from Yale University (<a href="https://chadd.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/ATTN_02_08_Executive_Functions_by_Thomas_Brown.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CHADD.org</a>). This chart is adapted from Brown’s <strong>Executive Functions Impaired in ADD Syndrome:</strong></p><p>(<a href="https://chadd.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/ATTN_02_08_Executive_Functions_by_Thomas_Brown.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Brown, Tom. “Describing Six Aspects of a Complex Syndrome” – CHADD.org)</a></p><p><img src="/image/executive-functions-graphic-png.png" width="80%">It is clear how specific behaviors demonstrated by students with executive dysfunction (such as forgetting homework, interrupting others and being late to class) fit under Brown’s model and involve many, if not all, of these six executive functioning categories – from activation to action!</p><p>So, on those challenging days when you’re feeling frustrated, and you’re struggling to understand a student’s behaviors, you may find that referring to Brown’s framework is useful. Further, you can use the chart to spark ideas for <a href="https://www.crosscountryeducation.com/blogs/mindfulness-activities-for-students-and-subs" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">strategies</a> tailored to help each student.</p><p>We hope you find this resource a valuable addition to your teaching toolkit. Don’t forget to bookmark it for later! While you’re here, check out our <a href="https://www.crosscountryeducation.com/job-search" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">exciting teaching positions</a> nationwide!</p>

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