Tools to Support Executive Functions

(parent presentation)

Karen Janowski

Karen.janowski@gmail.com

http://www.photo-dictionary.com/phrase/7046/welcome-mat.html

“She doesn’t know where to begin…..”

“He’s got great ideas but just can’t get them

down on paper….”

“She takes hours to finish her homework….and then she forgets to pass it in....”

Executive Functions

“The Brain’s CEO”

Executive Function (EF)

involves activating, orchestrating, monitoring,

evaluating and adapting different strategies to

accomplish different tasks. (Horowitz,

2007)

InitiatingSustainingInhibiting/stoppingSet Shifting

(Denckla, 1996)

89% to 98% of students with ADHD have deficits in executive skills

Russell Barkley

Translation - Five Main Skills

PlanningOrganizationTime ManagementWorking MemoryMetacognition

Plan

Plan

Strategize

Plan B

Reduce learned helplessness

Interventions

Dawson and Guare

Individual Level – Explicit individualized strategy Instruction

http://www.gonzaga.edu/academics/colleges+and+schools/School-of-Education/Majors-Programs/Student-Teaching-and-Field-Experience/images/450_student-teacher-1.jpg

Environmental Level – External support and structure

http://www.iteachithink.com/2012/09/iphone-ipad-and-android-random-student.html

General Guidelines

Minimize Paper

Use visuals

Explicit strategy instruction

Monitor time on task

Toolbelt Theory (Ira Socol)

Manage workflow

Note: The recommendations which follow serve as a starting point. This list is not exhaustive

and new apps are continually developed.

What difference do mobile devices make with recommendations?

Readily available

Longer battery life

Instant on

Portable

Cool

Planning/organizing

Productivity Apps

It’s a whole new world

Features of the devices:

Speak SelectionCamera functionsCalendar functions

Features of the devices:

Reminder FunctionsTimer FunctionsSiri/Speech Recognition

Memory Apps

All About Me app ($2.99)

Sound Gecko (free online and an app)

Screen Casting apps (free) – Educreations, ShowMe, Screenchomp

Getting Things Done (younger students)

Waitstrip – easy, visual $.99 appChore Pad - $4.99 app

Organization Tool Apps

Sticky Notes (low tech and app, free)

Siri

Evernote – free, syncs to everything

Errands To do list (free)

Quick NotePro app (has record feature, $3.99)

Forgetful – (free for two audio reminders)

Homework Apps

(priorities, alarms, etc)

InClass (free)

Erudio (free)

istudiez Pro ($2.99)

Complete Class Organizer ($4.99)

Time Management

Rescue Time – online tool, tracks how you spend time on your computer

30/30 – (free app, with task timers)

Tododo HD (task timers, $1.99 app)

WritingWritinghttp://www1.aucegypt.edu/academic/writers/

Brainstorming

What’s available?

UDLTechToolkit.wikispaces.com

iPad Apps – Popplet Lite (free)

IdeaSketch (free)

Tools4Students ($.99,

excellent templates)

Writing Tools

Bypass writing challenges

Paperport Notes

Dragon Dictation

speech recognition built into devices

Editing

(Evaluate mechanics)

PaperRater.com

Collaborative revision features in Google docs/drive

LiveScribe Smart Pen

Notability ($1.99, excellent app, numerous features, syncs audio to text)

Sound Note ($4.99 app, syncs audio to text)

Capture Notes ($4.99 appnumerous features)

NoteBinder ($6.99 app, numerous features, )

Notetaking

Study Skills Tools

Flash Card apps (Quizlet online)

Flashcard(let) free

iBooks (Active Reading strategies)

Newton Assistive Tech Resource Page:

bit.ly/ATIAEF2

Thank you!

Karen.janowski@gmail.com

PHOTO CREDITS

Student against wall - http://www.flickr.com/photos/aegishjalmur/2288932018

Chessboard - http://www.flickr.com/photos/pshan427/2331162310/Plan B http://www.flickr.com/photos/mringlein/1403246089/

Large Chessboard http://www.flickr.com/photos/rusworks/84248875/

Watches http://www.flickr.com/photos/martyn/312870142/

Start button - http://www.123rf.com/photo_3995846_start-button-over-white-concept-of-begin-go-initiate-etc.html

Shift - http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2007/04/idsa_northeast_district_c.html Disorganization - http://bit.ly/eYtsMG