Blog
Stuck? 12 Ways to Encourage Cognitive Flexibility
The best way to describe the executive function of cognitive flexibility is to think of Einstein’s definition of insanity. “Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” That would be cognitive inflexibility. Cognitive flexibility is the ability to notice when your thinking process is not working or to notice when changes … Read more
Ready, FIRE, Aim! 7 Strategies for Self-Regulation
Impulse control or self-regulation is that ability to stop and consider the options before acting and/or do what needs to be done (even if you don’t want to). Not being able to control your response in a given situation can appear to be a blatant disregard for the “rules” (whether explicit or implicit) but it … Read more
What DID I Come in Here For?
Have you ever walked into a room and forgotten what you went in there for? Or sent your child to do two things and they only did one? If this kind of thing happens often then it may be a working memory issue. Working Memory is an Executive Function skill that plays an important role … Read more
Hocus Pocus Focus!
The ability to focus or to sustain attention involves ignoring distractions and continuing to work even though the task may be boring, tiring or frustrating. This executive function, often called sustained attention, may be impacted by other challenges such as auditory or visual processing problems, working memory challenges or the inability to shift current thought … Read more
Just Get Started!
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 are those skills that help us get things done. Task initiation is just one of these executive skills and it involves the ability to START. Difficulties getting … Read more
What is an Executive Function?
The term “executive function” or “executive dysfunction” refers to those skills that are used to “get things done” and to “manage oneself” and they are often associated with ADHD/ADD. They develop in the precortex of the brain which is in the front forehead area and damage to this area can also impact the executive functions. … Read more
Home from College – Deja-Vu All Over Again
Has your son or daughter arrived home from college for the summer and quickly slipped right back into their “old” high school ways? Down deep you know they have matured because they made it through on their own this past year. They know they have grown too, but something about returning home can sometimes set … Read more
May is for Moms
May is for Moms. The month of May has the weather we like, the flowers start to blossom, the days are longer, and it feels so good to get out of our turtlenecks and heavy jackets. Now if we could just get that “project” off our list…..we would be extra happy. The problem with being … Read more
Screen Free Week – Time to Turn on Creativity
The annual Screen Free Week (formerly called turn off the TV week) is April 29th – May 3, this year. I am happy to see that it is not school vacation week as it has been in the past (at least in Massachusetts). I think helping kids find other options for fun during a typical … Read more