Over the summer I had the pleasure of attending a free three-day Executive Functioning On-Line Summit organized by Seth Perler. This free seminar was designed for proactive and compassionate parents and teachers of struggling students of all ages. There were 10 1-hour sessions a day with well known and respected educators, psychologists and doctors. Listed below are the names of the most interesting contributors and paraphrased tidbits from their presentation:
1. Eric Tivers: “EF and Self-Awareness, Productivity, Tips and Tricks”
Website - ADHD Rewired
Tidbit - Sometimes easy things are very hard for ADHD kids. For example, remembering to close a door or put a period at the end of a sentence can be difficult to remember.
2. Debbie Steinberg Kuntz: “College Transitions with EF Challenges”
Website - Bright and Quirky
Tidbit- When teaching someone something new, use the I Do, We Do, You Do approach. Show them how to do it, do it with them and then have them do it on their own (when they are ready).
3. Bob Dietrich and Alma Galvin: “How to help your child Naturally Overcome ADHD Challenges”
Website - Creative Brain Worx
Tidbit - When we (as educators) are comfortable, our child leans into us (literally & figuratively), but when we are stressed, they move away from us (literally and figuratively).
4. Sean McCormick: “Three Keys to Fostering EF Skills at School and Home”
Website - EF Specialist
Tidbit - Don’t SHOULD on students. In other words, don’t tell them what they SHOULD do, help them to realize and accept what they SHOULD do.
5. Adele Diamond: “EF: A Thorough Explanation into how to support EF Needs”
Website - Devcogneuro.com
Tidbit - When spending time with a child, the quality of your listening is more important than the wisdom of your words. See, hear and understand them!
6. Gretchen Wegner: “How To Actually Study Creatively with EF Challenges”
Website - Gretchwegner.com
Tidbit - Hone it until you own it. (Work on your skills until you own them!)
7. Leslie Josel: “How to do it Now: Tips and Tools to Help Students with EF Challenges”
Power through Procrastination Website - Order out of Chaos
Tidbit - Allow your child to make choices-even WRONG choices. They need to know that the older they get the more control they have in their life and that there are consequences for poor choices. (However, as parents set some parameters.)
8. Dr. Lynette Willis: “Transforming Triggers and Increasing Connection Through Self-Awareness”
Website - DrLWillis.com
Tidbit - Engage your child in conversation about their learning, ask their opinion on how certain situations should be handled. They will appreciate that you asked their opinions.