Teaching Executive Functioning Skills in Extracurriculars

Executive functioning skills, which include planning, organization, task initiation, emotional control, and flexibility, are essential for successful participation in group activities. Learning to navigate the social and competitive aspects of sports, clubs, and extracurricular activities can help neurodivergent teens and young adults flourish by pairing their individual interests with challenging new skills.

Special education teachers, coaches, and club leaders play a pivotal role in supporting the development of these skills, creating inclusive environments that recognize the strengths and challenges of each individual.

This blog post aims to provide 15 different strategies specifically designed for educators and leaders working with neurodivergent teens and young adults in extracurricular activities.

By embracing these approaches, you can enhance executive functioning, foster positive social interactions, and ultimately, empower neurodivergent teens to achieve their full potential in sports, clubs, and beyond.

Understanding Executive Functioning Skills & Extracurricular Activities

First things first.

Challenges with executive functioning can manifest in many different ways. No two teens that you work with will need the exact same things from you as a coach or leader.

Understanding the unique strengths and needs is the first step in providing effective support. It allows for the development of tailored strategies that address specific needs, thereby facilitating better academic achievement, social interaction, and participation in extracurricular activities.

Sports and Clubs Provide A Structured & Safe Place to Learn

In the context of sports and clubs, where structure and social interaction play significant roles, coaches, club leaders, and teachers are uniquely positioned to foster executive functioning skills among neurodivergent teens.

By incorporating practices that enhance planning, flexibility, impulse control, and emotional regulation, these leaders can significantly impact their students’ ability to engage and succeed in these activities.

Additionally, sports and extracurricular activities provide natural opportunities for neurodivergent teens to practice social skills and teamwork, further contributing to their overall development.

Understanding the interplay between neurodivergence and executive functioning skills is therefore essential for creating supportive, inclusive environments that encourage growth, learning, and participation for all teens.

Creating an Executive Functioning-Friendly & Inclusive Environment

Creating an inclusive environment in sports and clubs for neurodivergent teens and young adults requires a conscious effort to understand and respect the unique executive functioning needs and abilities of each participant. Such an environment not only acknowledges the diversity of its members but actively works to ensure that everyone feels valued, understood, and supported.

Evaluate Executive Functioning for Each Student

This first involves evaluating the executive functioning skills of each student or participant. Knowing where each learner is coming from will allow you to best customize and support the success of students.

We recommend starting with our free downloadable executive functioning assessment. This simple tool can be used for each learner in your team or club, or for a few learners who might need additional support during your season or semester.

Create Adaptations & Customize Supports

Once you have an idea about the individual needs of your learners, the next step for success involves adapting activities and communication styles to meet varied needs, offering individualized support when necessary, and fostering a culture of empathy and teamwork among all participants.

Creating an inclusive environment also means celebrating differences and recognizing the strengths that neurodivergence can bring to a team or group setting, such as unique problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and creative thinking. By prioritizing inclusivity, coaches, club leaders, and teachers can create a positive, empowering space where all teens and young adults have the opportunity to thrive, contribute, and develop valuable life skills.

Here are some key strategies for embedding executive functioning skills, creating adaptations, and customizing the supports you offer within your extracurricular activities:

15 Ways to Boost Executive Functioning in Extracurricular Activities

1. Structured Routines: Many neurodivergent individuals thrive with routines and predictability. Structured routines establish a predictable environment for your club or activity, reducing anxiety and helping neurodivergent individuals prepare for what comes next. These routines can significantly enhance focus and participation by minimizing uncertainty. Coaches and leaders who implement consistent start, middle, and end rituals for activities can provide a sense of security and stability.
2. Visual Schedules and Supports: Visual schedules serve as a powerful tool to enhance understanding and organization, offering a clear outline of the day’s activities. This strategy supports individuals who may struggle with verbal instructions or remembering sequences of tasks. It empowers participants to anticipate transitions and prepare for upcoming activities, fostering independence.
3. Set SMART Goals: Setting small, achievable goals helps break down larger objectives into manageable tasks, making success more attainable and boosting confidence. This approach encourages progress tracking and allows for immediate adjustments, catering to each individual group member.
4. Task Initiation Cues: Task initiation cues, such as visual signals or timers, can prompt individuals to begin tasks, helping overcome procrastination or inertia. These cues act as external reminders, aiding those who struggle with starting activities due to executive functioning challenges. Such strategies can enhance engagement and ensure smoother transitions between tasks.
5. Use Visual Timers and Time Management Tools: Time management tools like clocks, timers, and apps help participants understand the concept of time and manage it effectively, crucial for those who lose track of time or struggle with transitioning. These tools can aid in developing autonomy over activities and responsibilities. Implementing them in activities teaches valuable life skills, promoting independence and self-regulation.
6. Work in Flexible Groupings: Flexible groupings, or mixing up students with different roles and small groups allows them to collaborate with various peers, fostering adaptability and social skills. This strategy encourages understanding and appreciation of diverse perspectives and strengths. As a leader, it also gives you the opportunity to combine groups with differing strengths and needs, tailoring support as needed.
7. Incorporate Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: Incorporating mindfulness and relaxation techniques can significantly aid in emotional regulation and stress management for all students in your extra curricular activities. Help participants develop a greater awareness of their thoughts and feelings, improve concentration, resilience, and overall well-being.
8. Prompt and Fade Support: Starting with more direct support and gradually fading is one tool to help neurodivergent learners experience greater independence while ensuring that individuals do not become overly reliant on others for help. This technique allows participants to slowly build confidence in their abilities. It’s a respectful way to scaffold learning, adjusting the level of support based on individual progress.
9. Positive Reinforcement: Positive reinforcement acknowledges efforts and achievements, motivating participants to continue working towards their goals. This strategy not only boosts self-esteem but also reinforces the value of perseverance and effort. Tailoring reinforcement to what each student finds rewarding can make this approach even more effective.
10. Executive Functioning Games: Games designed to improve working memory, flexible thinking, and self-control provide a fun and engaging way to develop executive functioning skills. These activities offer practical practice in a low-stress environment, allowing skills to be built naturally over time. Games can be tailored to group or individual needs, making skill-building enjoyable. For a complete list of games check out our guide: 25 Board Games that Promote Executive Functioning Skills
11. Peer Mentoring: Peer mentoring pairs individuals with more experienced peers, facilitating social learning and support. This relationship can enhance understanding, empathy, and cooperation among participants. Mentors can offer practical advice and strategies, fostering a sense of community and belonging.</ li>
12. Self-Monitoring Strategies: Teaching self-monitoring strategies enables individuals to independently assess their performance and behavior. This empowerment leads to greater self-regulation and accountability. Tools like checklists and reflection journals can support this process, encouraging participants to take active roles in their learning and development.
13. Journaling for Reflection: Encouraging journaling before or after extracurricular sessions offers a personal space for reflection on goals, challenges, and progress. This practice supports emotional expression and self-awareness, key components of executive functioning. It can also serve as a tangible record of growth over time. LSA has a list of 17 Journaling Prompts for Neurodivergent Teens that may be helpful in jumpstarting your journaling activities.
14. Debriefing Sessions: If writing doesn’t seem to be the best fit for your students, it’s still important to hold debriefing sessions after the activity sessions. Debriefing provides an opportunity to reflect on what worked well and what could be improved, skills that neurodivergent teens may not always engage in unless prompted or supported by other adults.
15. Time Study Exercises: Practicing with time allocation and time study exercises helps neurodivergent students understand how to distribute their time across various tasks. These may be tasks within your extracurricular activity, or among the different commitments your student has on their schedule. Using time logs can improve time management skills and ultimately improve stress management, both essential aspects of executive functioning.

In Summary

One thing we know about extracurricular activities is that their impact for neurodivergent students extends far beyond the playing field or meeting room. By integrating these strategies into your coaching, teaching, and leadership practices, educators, coaches, and club leaders are not only enhancing the executive functioning skills of their neurodivergent teens but also fostering environments where all individuals feel valued, understood, and supported.

As you begin to implement these strategies, continue seeking out new and innovative ways to support executive functioning skills development. This may involve staying informed about the latest research, engaging with professional communities of practice, and soliciting feedback from participants and their families. Moreover, reflecting on the effectiveness of implemented strategies and being open to making adjustments as needed will ensure that support remains relevant and impactful.

TL;DR – (Too Long; Didn’t Read)

This comprehensive guide presents 15 evidence-based strategies for educators, coaches, and club leaders to enhance executive functioning skills in neurodivergent teens and young adults involved in sports and clubs. Strategies vary and include ideas like: establishing structured routines, employing visual schedules, setting SMART goals, and incorporating mindfulness and relaxation techniques, among other approaches. Using these techniques, leaders can create inclusive, supportive environments that cater to the unique needs of neurodivergent participants. These strategies are designed not only to improve organizational, planning, and social skills but also to empower neurodivergent individuals to achieve their full potential, fostering a sense of belonging and success in extracurricular activities.

Further Reading

• Life Skills Advocate – 8 Techniques for Improving Concentration and Focus
• Life Skills Advocate – 25 Board Games that Promote Executive Functioning Skills
• Life Skills Advocate – Customizing Visual Schedules for Every Learner
• Life Skills Advocate – Setting SMART Goals
• Life Skills Advocate – Executive Functioning 101 Resource Hub
• Life Skills Advocate – How to Fade Supports While Teaching Daily Living Skills: A Guide for Parents & Teachers
• Life Skills Advocate – Procrastination vs. Demand Avoidance: What Sets Them Apart?