Blog
What is Executive Function?
Executive dysfunction or executive function deficit is defined by Web MD as a “set of mental skills that help you get things done.” It is a simplified definition but when you break a task down into all the components needed to complete it, it is easier to see how having one or more weak areas … Read more
Self-Care – What's that?
Summer has faded and the leaves are just starting to change. It is time to build up our reserves before the cold weather hits. People all around me are already getting sick and I don’t want that to be me this year. To protect myself this year I have been looking at habits/routines that don’t … Read more
The Busyness of Back to School – Five Steps to Calm the “Crazy”
So much to do, so little time…..I hope that is not what you are thinking as we reach the end of August. It is a busy month for sure and often the transition from summer to “school” can make the new situation seem even more challenging. Here are five things to think about to make … Read more
Just Get Started – From the Archives
With the start of the new school year, I thought it was important to revisit the art of getting started previously published on our blog in 2013. The ability to get started on something is called “task initiation or activation” by the experts on Executive functions (Russell Barkley, Peg Dawson, Thomas Brown, etc). Executive functions … Read more
Back to School Basics – My Five Essentials
Just a quick reminder about some of the basics that are important for students heading back to school. It may not seem like much but it can make the difference between your child using or not using the systems and when that happens, not using it can mean not doing well. So here are my … Read more
What Is a Thinking Skill?
To “think” is to use your mind actively to connect thoughts, ideas and facts together to generate new ones. Using Bloom’s redesigned taxonomy as a guide we can see that thinking begins with the ability to “remember” and develops through several stages to “creating.” These stages are called higher order thinking skills. They are the … Read more
Is It a Pineapple or a Banana?
Ever wonder why certain things don’t seem to get done? Whether it is the laundry, a report at work, or a project your child is struggling with, there is one major reason. It is because it is a “pineapple!” Let me explain. If you were hungry and in a hurry as we often are, which … Read more
5 Key Study Skills for Teens
With all the snow days of the past few weeks, it may be hard for students to remember the information they have previously learned. Here are some basics to pass along to your teen. A great place to start is to take some time to review class notes before heading back to school. Of course, … Read more
15 Strategies to Get Things Done
AD/HD can effect both children and adults. The true challenge is the amount of impact that it has on someone’s ability to handle life’s responsibilities and that is important to be aware of. The impact may be interfering at home, work, school, or in social situations. Often it is the executive functioning skills (or central … Read more