Self-Monitoring, EF 101 Series, Executive Functioning

Executive Functioning 101: All About Self-Monitoring

Among all the executive functioning skills we’ve reviewed in our 101 series, self-monitoring is the closest to the ‘mythical unicorn.’ When our learners demonstrate well-developed self-monitoring skills, many other executive functioning skills like planning, organization, and time management fall into step. Self-monitoring comes as the final segment in our Executive Functioning 101 series since it’s … read more

Schedules & Routines, Self-Monitoring

How to Track the Effectiveness of a New Routine

When it comes to setting and sticking to a new routine, it’s important to know whether the habits and tasks you’ve set in place are effective. While routines are beneficial for individuals with autism, only effective routines will stand the test of time. If you’re trying to help a child with unique learning needs stick … read more

Goal Setting, Executive Functioning, IEPs, Self-Monitoring

6 Steps to Help Your Child Develop a Strong “Why” When Goal Setting

With so many distractions pulling teens and young adults with unique learning needs in different directions, now more than ever, parents must come equipped with more tools to help coach their children to success. Not only is it important that parents understand how to help diverse learners set clearly defined goals, but it’s also essential … read more

Executive Functioning, Self-Monitoring

Helping Your Child Overcome Decision Fatigue (part 2)

In our Part I: Every Parent’s Guide to Decision Fatigue article, we took a deep dive into how parents can avoid and overcome decision fatigue in an era where decisions for parents abound. Even though much of the research social psychologist Roy F. Baumeister conducted on the phenomenon was with adults, it’s increasingly more common … read more

Executive Functioning, Self-Monitoring

Every Parent’s Guide To Decision Fatigue (part 1)

Most researchers agree that the average adult makes around 35,000 decisions each day. Researchers at Cornell University estimate that we make more than 221 decisions daily about food alone. The number of choices we make dramatically increases as we grow older and become responsible for taking care of children and family members. With these astounding … read more

COVID-19 tips, Executive Functioning, Self-Monitoring

Why Gratitude Journaling Is So Important When The World Around You Seems Out of Control

In today’s crazy, unpredictable times, it might feel as though you have no control over anything in your life at all. This lack of control can lead to feelings of hopelessness, depression, and anxiety. For people and particularly children with anxiety or other diverse needs, these feelings can be downright debilitating. What if there were … read more

Executive Functioning, Self-Monitoring

How Brain Dumping Can Improve Executive Functioning In Diverse Learners

There’s a saying that our brains are designed for thinking, not for remembering things. Without a strategy (like brain dumping), when our brain’s get overwhelmed with information, they force us to spend the vast majority of our energy in reactive mode, which can feel a lot like herding cats. This is not optimal. For the … read more