Could Your Child Have an Executive Function Deficit?

The following information was shared on the ADDitude website regarding 

executive function disorder. 

Source: ADDitude Magazine: Executive Dysfunction, Explained! 

The seven executive functions (self-awareness, inhibition, non-verbal working memory, verbal working memory, emotional self-regulation, self-motivation, and planning and problem solving) develop consecutively over time. Self-awareness starts to develop around age 2; by age 30, planning and problem solving are fully developed in a neurotypical brain. Individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD or ADD), however, generally lag 30 to 40 percent behind their peers in developing one executive function, and then the next.

Executive Function Disorder is often difficult to ignore during the transitions to 6th or 9th grade, when school structure and schedules change dramatically, and academic expectations increase. Parents and teachers often don’t get why kids can’t work independently on an assignment, and assume they'll "pick up" the necessary skills. It's important to start helping kids with ADHD / EFD early, and acknowledge the problems those disorders cause so that kids don't feel stupid or lazy.

If your child has trouble getting started, can only remember two or three things at a time, struggles with problem solving, or feels overwhelmed at school, he or she might have an executive function deficit. Complete this test for a clearer picture.

This screening test is designed to determine whether your child shows symptoms similar to those of an executive function disorder. Only a trained healthcare professional can make a diagnosis through clinical evaluation. This screener is for personal use only.

Source: ADDitude  magazine

30 Great Accommodations for Children with ADHD

 

Motivational Monday

 

AT Town Hall

Are you an AT specialist, teacher, parent or AT user who has questions regarding assistive technology, accessibility or UDL? Are you looking to expand your PLN with others in the field? Or maybe you are interested in learning more about assistive technology and discussing current related topics? If you have answered yes to any of these questions consider join the AT Town Hall every Monday @ 12PM (EST) for a free-flowing discussion exploring effective implementation of AT. The AT Town Hall, facilitated by the Richard West Assistive Technology Advocacy Center (ATAC), always welcoming to new people who want to learn and contribute to a discussion on everything AT. Click the link below to watch some previously recorded AT Town Halls or see below to register for the weekly meetings. 

AT Town Hall Facilitator:
Mike Marotta, Director, The Richard West Assistive Technology Advocacy Center, NJ

AT Town Hall Panel Members may include:
Chris Bugaj, Assistive Technology Specialist, Loudoun County (VA) Public Schools
Jennifer Edge-Savage, AT Consultant, Saltillo, Professor
Karen Janowski, AT Consultant, EdTech Solutions
Luis Perez, Technical Assistance Specialist, CAST
Kelli Suding, AT Specialist, PATINS
Elisa Wern, OT/AT Specialist

April 2021

Register for April 12, 2021 12:00PM – 1:00PM Eastern

Register for April 19, 2021 12:00PM – 1:00PM Eastern

Register for April 26, 2021 12:00PM – 1:00PM Eastern

May 2021

Register for May 3, 2021 12:00 – 1:00PM Eastern (Special Event with QIAT Leadership Team)

Register for May 10, 2021 12:00PM – 1:00PM Eastern

Register for May 17, 2021 12:00PM – 1:00PM Eastern

Register for May 24, 2021 12:00PM – 1:00PM Eastern

World Down Syndrome Day 2021

World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) takes place this year on March 21, 2021 and is a global awareness day which has been officially observed by the United Nations since 2012.

Join people around the world to create a single global voice for advocating for the rights, inclusion and well being of people with Down syndrome on March 21st.

How can you get involved? Choose some socks that are going to get noticed, albeit mismatched socks or your craziest and most colorful socks! Encourage your friends, classmates and colleagues to join in too! The notion behind #LotsofSocks is to start a conversation and help bring global awareness to World Down Syndrome Day. Grab those crazy, mismatched socks and start raising awareness! 

Friday "Appy" Hour: Assistiveware Autism Acceptance Month Discounts

Access to AAC and the right to communicate are basic rights that are being eroded by the stress the pandemic has put on the whole system. That’s why, to mark Autism Acceptance Month we offer our traditional discount for a longer period and to more products. Save the date From 30th March until and including 6th April 2021 we’re offering our usual 50% discount on: Proloquo2Go (Mac & iOS) the Gateway vocabulary (in-app purchase in Proloquo2Go) Proloquo4Text (Mac & iOS) Keeble  Pictello Our AAC videos on-demand For schools - the discount on our apps also applies to Apple’s Educational Volume Purchase Program (VPP). When your school or educational organization purchases 20 copies or more, you get an additional 50% off - that’s a total of 75% off! Read more about the discount

Webinar Wednesday: Let's Talk About Dyslexia

Join Dr. Helen Ross (Twitter: @drhelenross) and Jim Bowen (Twitter: @SP_JimBas) as they have open conversations regarding dyslexia in this "Let's Talk About Dyslexia" webinar sponsored by Scanning Pens. Dr. Ross will be sharing her story on dyslexia and her research on different technologies to help in the classroom. Her research explores stakeholder experiences of SEND provision within the mainstream education sector, focusing on the empowerment of young people to take ownership of their own learning journeys.

Presenter

Mr Jim Bowen

Jim is Dyslexic, but never let it stop him from succeeding in his career. Jim completed a BTEC National in marketing and business and then went onto Chester University to complete a degree in Business Studies. He began by working in retail, and then after 4 years joined Scanning Pens. Jim loves to help and encourage people to become better readers and succeed in their academic work. After working for Scanning Pens for 3 years, Jim is now the Secondary Schools Business Development Manager, as well as being involved in other UK and Ireland projects.

Presenter

Dr. Helen Ross

Dr. Helen Ross is a fully qualified special education teacher and former SENCO, currently working in a mainstream school in England. She also provides expert advice and research consultancy, as well as specialist tuition and CPD, through her own enterprise ‘Helen’s Place’, is an advisor to the British Dyslexia Association and is Chair of the Wiltshire Dyslexia Association. She has consulted for the British Dyslexia Association, The Committee for Science and Technology, and Wiltshire Local Authority.

Helen is also an independent researcher. Her research explores stakeholder experiences of SEND provision within the mainstream education sector, focusing on the empowerment of young people to take ownership of their own learning journeys. She is a qualitative researcher, using methods grounded within Bourdieu’s sociological project to explore barriers to participation in learning and engagement with institutions.
Helen tweets as @drhelenross and regularly speaks on dyslexia and special educational needs.