Self-Regulation and Executive Functioning

Notes from October 15th - Emily Tritz & Brookes Barrack (KCDT) - Self-Regulation and Executive Functioning

(NOTE: These are from contemporaneous notes and are not perfect or complete. Videos linked below are from googling the concepts introduced by Emily and Brookes.)

Who is KCDT?

• They offer Speech, PT, OT, Psychological Services, Individualized Academic Instruction, Executive Functioning Services, Feeding Therapy and Parent Coaching.
• 2 locations: Olathe and Ranch Mart.
• KCDT is one of the clinics that Jeremy Didier recommended when she spoke to our group last month.
• KCDT is the speech provider at Ascension Catholic School

Notes & Resources

• VIDEO: Using an Analog Clock to Teach Time Management Skills
• To help a student "feel" time, we ask the student to predict the amount of time an activity will take and then color in that wedge of the analog clock. As the student is completing the task he sees time elapse in relation to his prediction.
• VIDEO: "Get Ready, Do, Done", "Plan Backwards and Execute Forward"
• In order to make progress we have to first understand the goal. Ask the student to explain what the finished product will look like. In light of a concrete goal, ask him to explain the actions required to accomplish it. Then ask him to plan how he intends to accomplish it.
• This is similar to David Allen's concepts of "What done looks like" and "Next Action". Getting Things Done
• When a child objects to something new, it could be because he cannot visualize the new thing. Ask him to name 3 things that will be similar to something he knows, and 3 things that are different.
• "Show and tell me your plan" - A child is unable to accomplish a requested task because he does not immediately internalize what is being asked.
• Example: You ask your child to go upstairs and get ready for school. 10min later you go upstairs and find him reading Little Critter books in his pajamas.
• Solution: Ask your child to go upstairs and get ready for school. Then ask him to act out what it means to "get ready for school". Have him pantomime changing his clothes, combing his hair and brushing his teeth.
• VIDEO: "Match the Picture"
• Help the student visualize a task or activity by showing them a picture of themselves with everything they need to perform that task
• Help a student to clean his room by showing him a picture of that space in the "done" state.

Books

• Brain Body Parenting by Mona Delahooke
• Beyond Behaviors by Mona Delahooke
• Self-Reg by Stuart Shanker - Summary: Your child's emotions feed off of yours. Shanker gives examples and strategies to help you and your child regulate anxiety.
• The Whole-Brain Child by Daniel Siegel
• The Power to Choose book series - "choose your own adventure" books to explain cause and effect
• Mindset by Carol Dweck - Summary: approach both successes and failures as a fortuitous opportunity to teach your child
• Good Inside podcast with Dr. Becky
• Listening to My Body (interoception book)

Executive Functioning Resources

• Sarah Ward, SLP and EF Coach - Resources
• Seth Perler, EF Coach
• George McClosky, Psychologist (Google his videos)
• Michael Delman, EF Coach