Executive functioning and high school

Executive function refers to cognitive processes essential for controlling behaviour, managing emotions, and achieving long-term goals.

These skills are fundamental in education, personal development, and social interactions. 

What is executive function?

• Attention and inhibition: The capacity to focus on a task while resisting distractions and impulsive responses is crucial for academic success. It allows students to concentrate on lessons, engage in complex problem-solving, and complete tasks efficiently.
• Working memory: This involves holding and manipulating information in the mind over short periods. For students, working memory is vital for understanding instructions, solving mathematical problems, and forming logical arguments in essays.
• Cognitive flexibility: Also known as flexible thinking, this skill enables individuals to adapt to new information, switch between tasks, and view problems from multiple perspectives. It is particularly important when students must handle unexpected questions or transition between different subjects.

The importance of executive function in schools

Strong executive function skills are essential for successful learning. They enable students to organise their study schedules, manage long-term assignments and meet deadlines. These skills are especially critical during adolescence, marked by increased academic demands and social pressures.

Challenges in executive functioning can significantly impact autistic students' educational and social experiences. Difficulties with task initiation, emotional regulation and flexibility often translate into obstacles in classroom learning and peer interactions. However, with the proper support, these students can improve their executive functions, leading to better academic outcomes and more fulfilling social interactions.

Strategies to improve executive functioning skills

There are a range of proven strategies that can help autistic children and teenagers develop executive functioning skills in different areas of life. When families and educators actively support teenagers with autism to develop these skills, it improves their confidence and wellbeing:

• ‍Structured learning environments: Creating predictable routines and clear expectations can help students with executive function challenges feel more secure, reduce anxiety, and enhance their ability to focus.‍
• Explicit instruction: Teaching students about executive functioning, such as planning, organisation, and flexible thinking, can make these concepts less abstract and more actionable. Teachers can incorporate specific strategies into daily lessons, such as using checklists or graphic organisers.‍
• Parental and teacher collaboration: Engaging parents in the educational process and providing them with strategies to support executive function at home can reinforce school-based initiatives and provide a consistent learning environment.‍
• Goal-setting techniques: It is key to encourage students to set realistic goals that can be broken down into manageable steps. For instance, a long-term goal can be segmented into daily or weekly objectives, making the tasks less daunting and more attainable.
• Self-reflection: Students should regularly reflect on their goals and the skills required. This process includes considering potential challenges and creating strategies to overcome them.‍
• Planning tools and approaches: Using online calendars in the curriculum teaches students to plan effectively. Regularly updating a class calendar with critical dates and assignments helps students internalise the habit of planning.
• Utilisation of digital tools: Familiarity with digital systems where students can track assignments, submit work, and receive feedback is essential. This exposure helps them understand how to manage their academic tasks efficiently.

Additional strategies to support executive functioning include:

Executive function skills through games and activities

Board games and strategic thinking

Board games are excellent tools for developing executive function skills. They require players to engage in strategic planning, adhere to rules, make decisions based on changing information, and inhibit impulsive responses. Games such as Taboo, Apples to Apples, and Risk challenge players to think ahead, manage multiple pieces of information at once, and adjust strategies in response to other players' actions. Chess, one of the most classic strategic games, demonstrates how advanced planning and anticipating opponents' moves are crucial for success.

These games enhance cognitive skills and encourage social interaction, which can further support cognitive and emotional development. Playing these games teaches students to wait their turn, observe others' gameplay, and develop patience and strategic thinking.‍

Digital tools

Video games and digital platforms like Lumosity offer various benefits in developing executive function skills. Lumosity, for example, is designed to train skills such as working memory, cognitive flexibility, and inhibition through scientifically developed games. These games adapt in difficulty as the player improves, providing a continuous challenge that helps to build cognitive abilities.

Similarly, complex video games that involve navigating imaginary worlds require players to manage multiple tasks, respond quickly to new challenges, and monitor various elements simultaneously. Such games can promote quick decision-making, enhance problem-solving skills, and improve the ability to shift attention between tasks.

Physical activities: sports, yoga, and performance arts

Engaging in sports is another effective way to enhance executive function. Sports such as soccer, basketball, and tennis require not only physical skill but also strategic thinking and quick decision-making. Aerobic exercises, particularly, have been shown to improve students' physical and cognitive health. These activities help with focused attention and the ability to respond flexibly in fast-paced situations.

Yoga, meditation, and mindfulness are also beneficial in developing executive functions. These practices help students improve their focused attention, reduce stress, and make more deliberate decisions. Through yoga and mindfulness, students learn to control their impulses, manage stress, and maintain concentration over extended periods.

Participation in performing arts such as acting, dancing, or playing a musical instrument is equally influential. These activities require the individual to remember and execute long sequences of actions or steps, manage performance anxiety, and adapt to the dynamic environment of live performance. Whether remembering lines, timing movements to music, or adjusting to the cues of fellow performers, the arts significantly boost memory, attention, and adaptive skills.

Practical tips for educators and parents

Educators and parents can encourage the development of executive function skills by integrating these games and activities into students' daily routines. Here are some tips:

• Incorporate diverse activities: Mix physical, board, and digital games to keep the activities engaging and challenging.
• Set achievable challenges: Especially with younger children, it’s important to ensure that the games are not too difficult, which can lead to frustration. Gradually increasing the difficulty can help maintain a balance between challenge and skill.
• Encourage group participation: Many board games and sports are more beneficial when played in groups, as they incorporate elements of social interaction, which is crucial for emotional and social development.
• Create a routine: Regular practice is key in developing and honing executive function skills. Integrating these activities into a regular weekly schedule can provide consistent benefits.
• Provide feedback: Constructive feedback helps students understand what they are doing well and what they need to improve, which is critical in the learning process.

Parents can significantly improve their children's executive function skills by incorporating these activities into educational and home environments. This approach improves cognitive abilities and supports emotional and social development, equipping students with the necessary tools to succeed in various aspects of life.