In previous articles, we’ve reviewed the executive functioning skill of flexibility, one that is particularly important for diverse learners. Many of the challenges we commonly associate with diagnoses like autism and ADHD relate to a teen or young adult’s difficulty shifting focus and adapting to changes in their environment.
In many cases, we find it’s hard for parents, teachers, and caregivers to know when and how to teach flexibility. While we might work to avoid the common triggers that disrupt and frustrate our learners, ultimately, there are benefits to gradually improving a person’s overall tolerance and ability to adapt to change.
What Is Flexibility?
Flexibility is an executive functioning skill that describes switching between tasks and demands in response to changes in the environment. In essence, when we’re flexible, we can change our behavior to different contexts or stimuli in our world.
Sometimes executive functioning researchers describe flexibility using the terms cognitive flexibility, shift, task switching, or mental flexibility.
Individuals who struggle with flexibility have difficulty discriminating between different environments and often can’t shift focus between various tasks or relevant information. When an individual is inflexible, they may get “stuck” or keep trying the same response repeatedly even though it’s not working.
Developing Flexibility Skills
We begin to develop flexible thinking early in childhood and keep refining it throughout adolescence and adulthood. As individuals grow into teenagers, young adults, and beyond, we expect them to manage more complexity in their school, work, and social lives. Along with that complexity comes increasing changes to routines and an increasing probability they’ll encounter difficulty or unpredictable situations. Developing flexibility skills allows people to take difficult situations in stride. They may need additional support at occasional points, but with well-developed executive functioning skills, they’re able to pivot and recover quickly when the unexpected happens.
But not all teens and young adults – especially those with diverse learning needs – fully develop flexible thinking or the behaviors that allow them to adapt to change. That’s where having a long-term strategy comes in to keep expanding flexibility gradually.
5 Cognitive Flexibility Activities to Consider
Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child offers an extensive guidebook for parents, teachers, and other supporters to develop executive functioning skills like flexibility. Some of the best activities for teens include:
1. Video Games
Believe it or not, your teen’s passion for video games is a great place to start building flexible thinking and tolerance. The challenges inherent in a quest- or puzzle-style video game can begin to hone your learner’s problem-solving skills. Different computer and video games require creative, out-of-the-box thinking to accomplish levels and tasks. Search for games that both match your learner’s skill level and their interests.
2. Card Games & Board Games
If you’re concerned about your teen’s screen time, it’s also possible to learn flexible thinking from card games and board games. Classic games like chess, hearts, Othello, and poker all teach learners to use different strategies to accomplish an established goal. Newer games like 5 Second Rule, Sleeping Queens, and Code Names push learners to develop creative solutions, recall information to solve a problem, and use theory of mind to evaluate other players’ strategies.
3. Sports & Athletics
Organized sports are another terrific way for teens and young adults to learn flexible thinking and other executive functioning skills. Sports require us to think critically to develop a strategy and then adjust as things change in the moment. If your learner isn’t keen on group sports, there are plenty of benefits to individual recreation like running, swimming, horseback riding, and biking – each requires quick decision-making and flexible thinking to succeed.
4. Mindfulness & Meditation
Perhaps movement and games aren’t the best fit; slowing down and examining the present moment can be just as powerful. Yoga and meditation teach the principles of mindfulness – attending to our moment-to-moment experiences without rigid judgments.
Cognitive flexibility has been positively linked to mindfulness and meditation. Studies show even brief mindfulness moments can help learners examine inflexible thoughts or notice tension in their physical posture, both of which enhance flexible thinking.
To try a simple mindfulness activity yourself or with your learner, download our guided “Stretch Break” mindfulness exercise to help in moments where relaxing into flexible thinking feels challenging.
5. Music
Many teens and young adults with unique learning needs connect well with music-based activities. From a neuroscience perspective, there are many different benefits of engaging with music – including greater flexibility. Learning to play an instrument, singing, and movement paired with music can improve a wide range of executive functioning skills, including cognitive flexibility, attentional control, self-monitoring, and emotional control. Work with your learner to build interest in music, especially in intricate patterns, themes, or improvisation.
Recognize Teaching Moments
One final thought about teaching flexibility to learners who might need long-term strategies and supports: parents, teachers, and other supporters need to recognize that building flexibility happens best during “teaching moments.” Expecting someone to brainstorm solutions and shift thinking on a complex problem when they’re too tired, overwhelmed, or already upset will only lead to more frustration. Establish a routine to help your learner calm down and return to focused attention before expecting flexible thinking.
If adapting to change remains challenging beyond these activities, life skills coaching can provide individualized practice in adjusting to new situations.
Further Reading
- Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University (2014). Enhancing and Practicing Executive Function Skills with Children from Infancy to Adolescence.
- Hegde, S. (2014). Music-based cognitive remediation therapy for patients with traumatic brain injury. Frontiers in Neurology, 5, 34.
- Lee, J. K., & Orsillo, S. M. (2014). Investigating cognitive flexibility as a potential mechanism of mindfulness in generalized anxiety disorder. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 45(1), 208-216.
- Life Skills Advocate – Executive Functioning 101: Flexibility
- 7 Flexible Thinking Strategies to Support Your Teen or Young Adult
- Executive Function Skills by Age: What to Look For
- How Teaching Executive Functioning Skills Can Reduce Challenging Behaviors
- How to Get Your Kids to Buy in to Limiting Video Game & Screen Time
- Moore, A., & Malinowski, P. (2009). Meditation, mindfulness, and cognitive flexibility. Consciousness and Cognition, 18(1), 176-186.