How to Spot Deficits and Support Your Child
As a parent of a struggling boy, you may feel like you’re constantly playing detective … trying to understand why your child forgets instructions, melts down over small things or just can’t seem to “get started” on anything. One key piece of the puzzle might be executive functioning skills that need to develop or be nurtured over time.
What is an Executive Functioning Skill?
Executive function (often referred to as EF) is a set of mental skills that help us manage our behavior, thoughts and emotions in order to achieve goals. Think of it as the brain’s “air traffic control system.” According to Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child, executive functioning skills are essential for learning, development and lifelong success.
For boys ages 10 – 15, strong executive functioning helps with focusing in class, following routines, handling frustration and developing friendships. When these skills are weak or still developing … as they often are in teen boys … it can create frustration at home, in school and socially.
The Seven Executive Functioning Skills
Inhibition
The ability to pause and think before acting.
Working Memory
Holding information in mind to complete a task.
Emotional Control
Managing feelings to complete goals or respond to challenges.
Task Initiation
Starting a task without excessive procrastination.
Sustained Attention
Staying focused even when tasks are boring or difficult.
Planning and Organization
Setting goals and figuring out how to reach them.
Flexibility
Adjusting to change and thinking about problems in new ways.
Why These Skills Matter
Executive functions affect everything from completing homework to negotiating friendships.
A deficit in one or more areas can lead to daily struggles. For example, a child with poor inhibition may blurt out answers in class or act impulsively at home. A child with weak working memory might constantly forget their backpack, homework or chores.
Signs Your Child May Be Struggling
- At Home | Trouble following multi-step directions, explosive emotions, messy rooms or forgetfulness.
- At School | Incomplete assignments, difficulty starting projects or needing frequent reminders.
- Socially | Struggles with sharing, taking turns or adapting to new situations.
Keep an eye out for avoidant, anxious or irritable behaviors towards tasks that may seem to be ‘appropriate’ for their age. This type of response may be a sign that they are overwhelmed.
Due to the executive functioning struggles, they may also have a difficult time organizing thoughts and feelings about their responses and feelings which can oftentimes spiral into further negative feelings.
Types of Executive Function Deficits
Some children have generalized difficulties, while others may struggle in specific areas. Executive dysfunction can co-occur with ADHD, learning disorders or trauma-related issues.
The Child Mind Institute provides an excellent breakdown of how these challenges appear in kids: How Do I Know If My Child Has Executive Function Issues? (Understanding Executive Function)
How You Can Help
- Breaking big tasks into small steps
- Using visual schedules and checklists
- Building in breaks and movement
- Creating consistent routines
- Offering choices to encourage flexibility
“Executive functions are not about knowing what to do … they’re about doing what you know, at the right time and place.”
How Cherokee Creek Supports Executive Function Development
At Cherokee Creek Boys School, we understand that executive function difficulty does not come from laziness. The prefrontal cortex of the brain (the part responsible for EF, decision-making and impulse control) undergoes significant growth in the adolescent years.
Our therapeutic program weaves executive function support into daily life for all of our students, regardless of diagnosis, with details like consistent morning routines, academic skills coaching, posted calendars and use of planners.
Therapy at CCBS happens not just in traditional sessions but during teachable moments throughout the day. Our team helps students build skills through relationships, academics and recreation … while also supporting parents with tools and strategies at home.
It’s all part of our commitment to healing, growth and helping each student rediscover his strengths.
More About Executive Function Development
Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child
Child Mind Institute | by Michael Rosenthal, PhD
by Dr. Thomas E. Brown
Executive Dysfunction? Sign and Symptoms of EFD
ADDitude Magazine | by Janice Rodden
Cherokee Creek Boys School
Premier Therapeutic Boarding School
Overview of CCBS Program
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