Nearly half of all children with ADHD show signs of impaired executive functioning. And, some children without ADHD show similar signs. There are a lot of ways to improve executive function. Always seek help from your therapist first, then implement their recommendations at home too. By developing consistent routines at home, you can help your child with executive function disorder.
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Treating Executive Brain Function
Interacting with someone who has an executive function disorder can be quite challenging, right? However, there are some ways in which you can assist them in improving their impairments with time.
When it comes to children, they respond very well to various therapies related to improving executive functioning. These therapies can help them control inhibition, regulate emotions, manage their time better, and accomplish more.
Read more: Identifying Executive Function Disorder (EFD) in Kids
How to Improve Executive Function
When children with poor executive functioning grow into adults, addressing their cognitive-behavioral challenges becomes more complex. Adults who have lived with these behaviors for a longer period may consider them as the norm, making it harder to initiate change. However, it is not impossible to improve executive function in adulthood.
Starting executive brain function therapies early for your child is highly beneficial. The earlier they begin, the greater their potential to unlearn and relearn, paving the way for lasting improvements.
Read more: Executive Function Test for Kids
1. Controlling Impulse
One of the hallmarks of poor executive control is a lack of inhibition. In other words, the person with executive function disorder may lack impulse control. They may find themselves acting before they think and regretting their quick decision later. Individuals with poor impulse control may blurt out inappropriate comments or perform risky behaviors.
A great way to teach them to control their impulses is by using the “Wait 5” strategy. This has the child count to five before they verbally respond to something in the classroom. If the child is talking in pairs or small groups, they should use the “Wait 3” method to think about their response for three seconds before responding.
Read more: How to Help Kids Develop Executive Functioning Skills at Home
2. Regulating Emotions
Children who have trouble regulating their emotions may feel extreme emotions easily. They may get extremely angry, sad, or happy at something that shouldn’t elicit a strong response. One of the biggest downfalls of this executive functioning disorder is that these children can’t receive feedback well.
When they receive grades in school, they’re more likely to have emotional breakdowns. In fact, they may break down to the point where they stop trying. In order to regulate their emotions, children have to be able to understand the relationship between thoughts and feelings. This will help them control and reframe their thinking. Over time, they’ll be able to regulate their emotions better.
Goally | The Safest Tablet for Kids
Read More: Best Mood Regulation App for Kids
3. Thinking Flexibly
Flexible thinking is important when it comes to adjusting to unexpected problems. Children without this executive function find it hard to deal with surprises. In order to help your child think more flexibly, you should consider offering weekly scenario-based journal prompts. These can introduce different scenarios and perspectives to your child.
For example, you might want to create a story about a kid dropping an ice cream cone or a student failing a test. Through these journal prompts, you can help your child reason through various thoughts and emotions. As they run through the scenario, you can help them figure out how to respond to the situation.
4. Improving Memory
Many children with executive function disorder experience lapses in working memory. This makes it difficult for them to remember important information.
The biggest issue that can come with poor working memory is difficulty in following directions. These children have trouble remembering the directions that you give them. But, it can come off like they’re ignoring the directions.
Read more: What Is Working Memory & How Does It Relate to Autism?
Even if these children take notes or you repeat the directions multiple times, they may still not be able to follow the directions correctly. If your child is suffering from poor working memory, they should play memory games. This will help them remember names, colors, and other simple things. These activities may also help them develop the skills they need to improve memory for more complicated things.
5. Monitoring Self
Monitoring yourself can help you evaluate your skills. Students with poor self-monitoring may have trouble getting negative feedback. They don’t understand how they could get a negative response because they don’t understand what they have done wrong.To help children understand this feedback, they need to understand what’s happening to them. In other words, they need to be able to reflect on themselves. The best strategy to help with this is the “stop and look” technique. Many teachers use this strategy to help all of the students understand what’s happening at that moment.
When a child uses the “stop and look” technique, they need to think about a few things:
- What they’re doing at that moment
- How they’re feeling in that moment
- How much they are (or are not) engaging in their current activity
- How they are (or are not) making progress towards a goal that they have
Reflecting on these things can help children understand how they’re doing at moments throughout the day. Sometimes, these children may not understand what they’re doing or how they’re feeling. Stopping and looking can help them rethink and refocus.
Improving Executive Function: Developing Routines for Your Child
Now that you’re equipped with valuable tips on improving executive function, it’s time to put them into action and develop routines for your child. Consistency plays a key role in helping children with executive function disorder navigate their challenges. One effective tool to support them is Goally, a routine-setting device designed to assist parents and children in managing executive function disorder. Discover the benefits of Goally today!
Goally | Apps To Structure Your Kiddo’s Routine
Does your child struggle with transitions or staying on task? Goally’s visual schedule app breaks down large tasks into small, achievable steps. It helps kids complete their tasks independently!
Create custom routines with your own videos & pictures for every step. The steps come in small, bite-sized pieces to help your child learn the little fundamentals (like putting the toothpaste on their toothbrush!) to achieve bigger goals. And that’s just the beginning.
Improving executive function in children is a journey that requires patience, understanding, and consistent effort. By implementing strategies such as creating routines and utilizing tools like Goally, parents can provide the necessary support to help their child thrive. Remember, each child is unique, so it’s important to tailor approaches to their specific needs. With your dedication and the right resources, you can make a positive impact on your child’s executive function skills and enhance their overall well-being and success.
FAQs About How To Improve Executive Function
What is executive function, and why is it important? Executive function refers to a set of cognitive skills that help us manage our thoughts, actions, and emotions. It's crucial for success in school, work, and daily life.
What are some signs of poor executive function? Poor executive function can manifest in a variety of ways, such as difficulty with planning, organization, time management, impulse control, and working memory.
How can parents help their children improve executive function? Parents can help their children improve executive function by providing structure, setting goals, breaking tasks into smaller steps, encouraging self-reflection, and modeling good executive function skills.
What are some effective strategies for improving executive function in children? Effective strategies for improving executive function in children include mindfulness exercises, physical exercise, brain training games, and cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Are there any foods or supplements that can improve executive function? While there is no magic food or supplement that can improve executive function on its own, a healthy diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fruits and vegetables, and lean proteins can support brain health and function.
This post was originally published on 02/28/2022. It was updated on 03/21/2024.
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