What Are Executive Functions?

Executive functions are the brain processes that regulate tempo-sequential ordering, spatial ordering, attention, and working memory. Executive Functions underlie goal setting, time-management, organization, and metacognitive skills essential for school and life success. These functions, found in the frontal lobe, continue to develop from early childhood into the late twenties. The practice of executive skills supports the development of neuronal circuits of the frontal lobe to optimize students’ school and life outcomes by developing these pathways that are responsible for critical reasoning and decision making. Research shows that frontal brain growth is strongly shaped by experience. If these neuronal networks are not utilized, it can truly be, “a use it or lose it” situation. In diagnosing various learning disabilities, executive functioning skill deficiencies are often missed. Children struggle through the learning process without understanding why. They sometimes become labeled as under-achievers or as children who are lazy and purposely not working up to expectations. Bright children are unable to demonstrate their talents because deficiencies get in the way.

Typical Behaviors Found in Children with Executive Function Issues:

* Starts assignments/tasks without necessary materials
* Does not leave enough time to complete tasks
* Skips steps in multi-step task
* Has difficulty relating to a story chronologically
* “Jumps the Gun” socially
* Waste's time doing a small project and fails to do the big project
* Written work is poorly organized
* Has difficulty identifying what material to record in note-taking
* Written work is poorly organized
* When given three or more things to do…
    remembers only the first or the last thing to do
* Fails to turn in completed work
* Loses important papers or assignments
* Has difficulty getting started on tasks, which
    may appear as oppositional behavior
* Appears distractible and/or impulsive
* Picks smaller, immediate reward over larger, delayed reward
* Runs out of time before completing assignments/tasks
* Has good ideas but doesn’t get the job done
* Has difficulty making transitions and/or coping with the unforeseen
* Doesn’t check to insure that each step is completed
* Over-estimates or under-estimates time on needed tasks
* Doesn’t check work before submitting it
* Exhibits inappropriate or over-reactive responses to situations
* Starts tasks but may not finish
* Cannot find clothes, shoes, toys, books, pencils, etc.
* Doesn’t realistically evaluate performance in school

Executive Functioning Clinical/Tutoring Services

Executive Functioning tutoring is offered at RNBC. An initial intake appointment is required to gather and assess your child’s strengths and weaknesses; review any prior diagnostic testing, evaluate your child’s work samples, discuss your child’s personality, and determine potential tutor/student compatibility. A typical tutoring session is 50 minutes in length. Frequency of sessions is determined on a case-by-case basis. Consultations with parents, school, and other professionals are based on an hourly rate including travel time. Payment for services is due at time-of-service. Due to the high demand of educational tutoring services, cancellations are requested 48 hours prior to the set appointment. Please contact Cate Gonley at 847-933-9339 ext. 222 to schedule an appointment.

Executive Functioning Educational Partnerships

Rush Neurobehavioral Center’s goal is to be part of the solution to improve parent and community involvement in the educational lives of children. RNBC has been serving the children of Chicago through its brain-based-learning and behavioral outreach and education programs for the last eight years. The Center has trained psychologists and Chicago Public School and Chicago Archdiocese School teachers how to recognize and provide appropriate educational experiences for children.

Research in the RNBC Executive Function System is currently being conducted in the Chicago Area. RNBC is mentoring teachers, demonstrating how to coach and teach children to improve their executive function skills.

Through these proficiencies children will gain knowledge of:

• efficient time-management
• improved organizational proficiency
• sustained motivation
• effective planning and scheduling practices
• development of proactive behaviors
• goal setting and clarification activities
• academic and social balance
• increased self knowledge of learning styles
• development of self-discipline
• reduction of fear of failure
• skills for coping with ADD/ADHD and other learning differences
• personal and academic growth
• renewed excitement and curiosity for learning

Ogden School www.ogdenschool.org

Children of Peace School www.copeace.pvt.k12.il.us

Executive Functioning Educational Presentations

RNBC conducts Executive Function presentations to schools, parents, and community groups. Each presentation is tailored to meet the needs of the group.

The presentations are designed to help participants learn strategies to promote the growth of students’ executive skills.

RNBC has given educational presentations to the following organizations:

• Sunset Ridge School, Northfield IL
• Latin School, Chicago, IL
• Francis –Xavier Catholic School, Chicago, IL
• Hawthorne School, Chicago, IL
• Franklin School, Chicago, IL
• William B. Ogden, Chicago, IL
• New Trier High School, Wilmette, IL
• Children of Peace Schools, Chicago, IL
• Westcott Parent Organization
• Professionals in Learning Disabilities
• Field School, Northbrook, IL
• The Northern Suburban Special Education District.
• Leyden Area Special Education Cooperative
• Hillel Torah, Skokie, IL
• Special Education Resource Group, Elmhurst IL
• Chicago Public Libraries
• CASA Central

If you would like more information about presentations, please contact Cate Gonley at 847-933-9339 ext 222.

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