Episode 44: How To Develop Your Child's Independent Executive Function Skills

<p>My guest this week is Sarah Ward, who holds <strong>over 25 years of experience in diagnostic evaluations and treatment of executive dysfunction</strong>. She holds a faculty appointment at the Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions and is an<strong> internationally recognized expert on executive function.</strong> She presents seminars and workshops on the programs and strategies she has developed with her Co-Director, Kristen Jacobsen. <strong>Their </strong><strong><a href= "https://www.efpractice.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">360 Thinking Executive Function Program</a></strong><strong> received the Innovative Promising Practices Award</strong> from the National Organization CHADD. Sarah has presented to and consulted with over 1200 public and private schools in the United States, Canada, and Europe.</p> <p>In this episode, Sarah and I discuss the importance of<strong> independent executive function skills and how parents can better approach teaching them to their children.</strong> Key concepts like <strong>planning and prioritizing, self-control, focussing, emotional control, organization and following directions</strong> have all become more difficult for those struggling with executive functions skills especially<strong> children with behavioral disorders such as ADD and ADHD</strong>. Sarah helps parents and children who struggle with executive functions by providing practical and impactful lessons to help improve their skills. To learn more about Sarah and 360 Thinking <a href="https://www.efpractice.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">click here</a>.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Episode Highlights</strong></p> <h3><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><span style= "font-size: 12pt;">Executive Function Skills</span></strong></span></h3> <ul> <li>Organization, time management, decision-making, memory</li> <li>The ability to pre-imagine the future is a developmental skill and is at the core of what executive function is</li> <li>Our digital age has greatly affected