Executive Functioning Archives - Sensory Stepping Stones

Do you feel your blood pressure rising every time you go into your child’s bedroom? Are there more clothes on the floor than there are in the dresser drawers? What about his backpack? Is it jammed with crumbled papers and missing homework assignments? Have you taken a look in her desk or locker at school? Warning…it’s not for the faint of heart!

If your child seems to be “a mess” it may be beyond their control. Many young people and adults are struggling with a lack of executive functioning skills. Executive function is a set of mental skills that include working memory, flexible thinking, and self-control. We use these skills every day to learn, work, and manage daily life. When you have trouble with executive function, it makes it hard to focus, follow directions, and handle emotions.

Some experts describe executive function as “the management system of the brain.” The thinking skills involved let us set goals, plan, and get things done. When people struggle with executive function, it impacts them at home, in school, and in life.

If your child is having trouble with the following, they may be struggling with a lack of executive functioning skills:

Paying attention
Organizing, planning, and prioritizing
Starting tasks and staying focused on them to completion
Understanding different points of view
Regulating emotions
Self-monitoring (keeping track of what you’re doing)
Completing homework and studying for tests

We offer group classes, as well as individual coaching to help your middle school or high school student gain the skills they need to be successful in life!

Check out our website or give us a call today to get more information.

Does this sound like your child? Now that it’s the middle of September, life is in full swing! The kids are back to school and there is so much to keep track of- classwork, homework, supplies, activities schedule, sports equipment…is your child able to handle it all or do you find yourself picking up the pieces constantly, trying to help hold it all together?

You used to think it was cute that your child was a little forgetful. The way you’d innocently remind her of what she was supposed to do next would tug at your heartstrings and make you feel needed. But as he grew, you noticed his memory wasn’t growing in proportion to his size, and though he was more mature in other ways, he still needed a lot of reminding of basic details.

You notice it at home when it’s time to do chores or finish homework and teachers have also commented that they often have to intervene and keep your child on task.

Life is only going to get busier and more complex as your child grows up. It’s distressing to see your child struggle to recall the basic steps of simple tasks. There are so many expectations to reach certain achievements and you just don’t know how he’s going to meet these requirements without being able to concentrate.

But the truth is, kids can grow and adapt and there are ways to help them better navigate the demands of their lives. Increasing mental clarity and focus is not a one size fits all approach. It requires specialized evaluation and individual plans to ensure you are meeting your child where is and addressing their particular struggles.

At Sensory Stepping Stones, the Cognitive & Memory Training Program is a process of exercising the brain and is designed to enhance your child’s ability to process and learn through the stimulation of his nervous system. After completing this program:

Your child will improve thinking and processing skills
Your child will develop stronger reasoning skills and a better memory
Your child will experience quicker hand-eye coordination
Your child will feel more capable of remembering tasks and details
Your child will build skills to regulate emotions
Your child will express more self-confidence

The Cognitive & Memory Training Program can also be used with children without a specific diagnosis to tune out distractions and better control their emotions.

We would love to tell you more about this program! To schedule a free consultation (Zoom or in person!) with Sensory Stepping Stones, click here

My child is a mess.

Forgetful…Disorganized…Unfocused…