#15 "Empowering Students Beyond High School: Navigating Executive Function Challenges in Post-Secondary Education"  with Executive Functions Coach Carrie Bonnett

I am so grateful for you taking your time to listen and I would love your input, feedback , suggestions for topics. We are in this together.

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Editing credit Gabbi Greco

KEY POINTS

• Strategies for Personalized Planning: One-size-fits-all planners may not effectively address executive function challenges. Personalized strategies, such as making the invisible visible, can greatly benefit students.
• Avoiding Quick Fixes: While quick fixes may be tempting, addressing executive function challenges requires a holistic approach beyond simplistic solutions. Quick fixes often act as Band-Aids without fostering long-term skills.
• Recognizing Time Blindness: Executive function challenges often include time blindness, where individuals struggle to perceive the passing of time. Visual aids like analog clocks and timers can help students manage their time more effectively.
• Incorporating Metacognition: Metacognition, being aware of one's own thoughts and processes, is crucial. Encouraging students to develop metacognitive skills, such as recognizing when to write things down, can enhance their self-awareness.
• Home for Everything: Establishing a predictable place for everything contributes to organization skills. This simple yet effective strategy helps students and individuals keep track of their belongings, reducing forgetfulness and stress.
• Teacher Inclusion and Best Practices: Every student, whether diagnosed or not, can benefit from executive function strategies. Implementing these strategies in classrooms fosters inclusion and supports all students in developing essential life skills.
• Technology Challenges: While technology offers advantages, it can also present challenges for individuals with executive function difficulties. Teachers and students must be mindful of the potential distractions and pitfalls associated with technology use.
• Post-Secondary Transition: The shift to post-secondary education requires a mental switch, with students choosing courses aligned with their interests and goals. However, challenges persist, and colleges should acknowledge and address executive function difficulties among students.

• Adapting to Changing Circumstances: The impact of events like COVID-19 can exacerbate executive function challenges. Flexibility and understanding in educational environments, especially in times of crisis, are essential for supporting students.
• Encouraging Self-Awareness: Students with executive function challenges benefit from developing self-awareness. Recognizing and accepting one's strengths and challenges allows for the implementation of personalized strategies and the pursuit of suitable support.
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• Executive function skills are essential for navigating both school and life, involving tasks like time management, planning, organization, and self-monitoring.
• Executive functioning challenges are not exclusive to those with diagnoses like ADHD or Autism; everyone grapples with these skills to some extent.
• Executive function deficits can manifest differently, such as struggling with task initiation, prioritization, or managing boring tasks.
• Reframing the concept as "lagging skills" rather than dysfunction encourages a more empathetic and solution-oriented approach.
• Recognizing that individuals do well when they can and fostering curiosity rather than imposing solutions can lead to more effective support strategies.
• Overcoming shame associated with executive function challenges is crucial for both students and those supporting them; reframing perspectives and collaboration are key.
• Practical strategies, such as making invisible tasks visible, can significantly aid individuals in developing and honing executive function skills.

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