How to Help Neurodiverse Children With Executive Functioning

Executive functioning is an essential set of skills every child needs to function properly in any setting. It is the cognitive process that allows all humans to regulate and organize our behavior effectively.

Executive functioning involves planning, prioritizing, self-control, problem-solving, goal-setting, and breaking down tasks into smaller, manageable pieces. It can be a challenging area for neurodiverse children to master, in part because it requires a high level of sensory processing.

Differences in executive functioning skills can impact following instructions, focusing on their classwork or homework, completing projects they start, or staying organized. There are some proven strategies to help children on the spectrum with executive functioning, and in this article, we will be sharing all the details.

Why do Children on The Spectrum Struggle with Executive Functioning?

Diverse learners may struggle with executive functioning because they have a unique way of processing information due to how their brains work.

• Children with ADHD can struggle with managing time, focusing on one thing, and maintaining attention.
• Autistic children may excel in certain areas and struggle to multitask or adapt to change.
• Kids with sensory processing disorders find it harder to stay engaged with an activity.

Acknowledging their struggle and the difficulty involved will help you proffer the solution more empathetically.

How to Support Executive Functioning in Neurodiverse Children

While executive functioning involves many activities, we will focus mainly on planning, prioritizing, and breaking down tasks.

Planning

•It is essential to teach neurodiverse children how to plan so that they can consistently approach their daily tasks with clarity. Here’s how you can help them plan better;

•Use Visually Appealing Schedules: Organizing their daily routine with visual aids like colorful planners, well-designed digital calendars, or apps can improve their interest and encourage them to follow the plan. Autistic children benefit more from predictability than spontaneity.

•Mini Task Breakdowns: Breaking down their activities into smaller pieces improves their ability and motivation. For example, a task like ‘clean your room’ can be broken down into ‘make the bed,’ ‘pick up your toys, ‘fold your clothes,’ and ‘separate your laundry.’

•Do as I do: Allow them to watch you plan your day and see the plan unfold. It helps them to do the same easily, even when you are not around.

•Checklists: Encourage your children to use checklists with timelines for assignments and projects.

Prioritizing

Prioritizing is necessary to help them determine the urgency and importance of individual tasks. By prioritizing tasks, they can learn to avoid procrastination and manage workloads.

• Maintaining Focus: Teach them how to concentrate on one task before moving on to another. For instance, ‘Finish taking out the trash before you do your homework.’

• Hierarchy: Color-coding tasks by their level of urgency is another way to pique their interest and motivate them. You can use sharp colors like red for urgent tasks and mellow colors like yellow for later tasks.

• Talk about it: They may not understand why prioritization is important until you talk to them about it. Explain the importance of putting one task before the other so they can learn the reasoning behind what you want them to do.

Breaking Down Tasks

• Big tasks can be overwhelming even for adults, so it’s not any different for neurodiverse children. Breaking tasks into actionable steps makes the tasks feel more doable.

• Divide and Conquer: Divide their homework or classwork into small projects that they can efficiently finish. For instance, an arithmetic assignment can be broken into ‘addition,’ ‘subtraction,’ ‘division,’ and ‘multiplication.’

• Give Rewards: Celebrating their little wins will spur them to action and help them stay motivated to do more.

• Practical Examples: Use clear examples and templates of people breaking down tasks to give the children an idea of how others do it and how they can do it, too.

These little changes can compound into big strides that improve the executive function of children on the spectrum over time. The key thing is to maintain consistency.

The holiday season is known for heightened activity, peak excitement, and the joy of connecting with loved ones. While it is a time of relaxation for many, it can also stir up unique challenges for neurodiverse children. 

The festivities associated with the holidays can become overly stimulating or overwhelming, especially if there are a lot of changes in their familiar environments. 

As a parent, caregiver, or teacher of children on the spectrum, here are some proven tips to help you navigate this active season so you can provide a supportive and more relaxing environment for your kids. 

Prevent Sensory Overload 

Bright lights, music, crowds, and colorful decor usually accompany the holiday season. This can be overwhelming for children who have sensory sensitivity. To minimize sensory overload, reduce their exposure to loud sounds and intense or flashing lights. As a parent, you can do this by using minimal home decorations. 

If you can’t help their exposure to the bubble that comes with the holiday season, consider introducing them to it gradually. Gradual exposure gives them time to adjust to the festivities and get used to the stimulation that comes with them. That’s how you can prevent meltdowns and keep them comfortable. 

Have a Schedule or Activity Plan 

Having a schedule or a routine helps to prevent stress for autistic children or neurodiverse kids. Unpredictability can become stressful or trigger anxiety, and this can disrupt your entire plan for the holidays at that moment. 

To make things go smoothly, create a pictorial schedule using simple design tools like Canva, to help them understand what they can expect during the holiday season. The predictability reduces the possibility of anxiety while you go about your day. 

Additional tips: 

• Break your day down into simple activities like lunch, rest, movies, visiting friends, or shopping. 
• Assign specific time for rest or time-outs from activities. 

Have an Assigned Safe Space 

While the festivities are going on, it’s important to create a safe space where your child can retreat when things get too overwhelming. Prepare a soft corner in the house or classroom with pillows and some of their favorite things so they can take a break in that corner and regulate when necessary. The safe zone can have these; 

• A weighted blanket 
• Headphones connected to calming music 
• Sensory Fidgets

Remember to communicate with your friends and family about this safe space so they don’t intrude during downtime. 

Prepare Familiar Foods 

The festive season involves new recipes and a lot of unfamiliar dishes, and this can trigger anxiety for children with ADHD or autism. If your child already has a solid preference, stick to it and introduce new dishes gradually to see how they will respond. 

Have their preferred dish or snack on standby when introducing them to something new so that even if they reject it, there will be something for them to fall back on. It’s normal for children on the spectrum to be picky with their food, so try to avoid pressuring them into trying something new. 

Communicate 

We cannot emphasize enough the importance of open communication with neurodiverse children. Ask them what they need, let them know your plans involving them, and help them feel comfortable when they need to speak to you. 

If your child is not able to use verbal communication, you should create a signal that they can use to communicate when they are in distress or need something. This is necessary, especially when you’re out of their familiar space. Ask them questions like; 

• Is the music too loud? 
• Do you want me to turn down the volume? 
• Do you need to take a break from the activity? 

Questions like this give room for straightforward answers. 

Supporting your neurodiverse children is the key to having a smooth holiday season. Set realistic goals and manage your expectations as you plan for the holidays because no holiday is perfect. Celebrate the little wins and enjoy the moment with them. Managing holiday stress for neurodiverse children can be easy if you follow these simple steps.

It’s back to school season and both parents and teachers are faced with the exciting challenge of making sure their neuro-diverse learners have the most memorable academic year. Every neuro-diverse learner has unique needs, so it’s important that learning and any form of support are tailored to this. 

As a parent or teacher, you must prioritize creating a supportive learning environment that helps them feel comfortable enough to express themselves and take risks in the classroom. Let’s take a deep dive into some strategies for building a safe space for learners on the spectrum.

Understanding Neurodiversity in the Classroom

What is Neurodiversity?

Neurodiversity embraces the differences in our brain function as humans, It includes ADHD, ASD, and dyslexia among other disorders. As a parent or teacher of learners on the spectrum, you must view these differences as strengths to foster an environment that helps them grow into their authentic selves. 

Learners on the spectrum can process the world differently, so here are some things to pay attention to, so you can provide peak support; 

• Social interaction
• Reading, writing, and mathematics 
• Focus and attention
• Sensory processing 
• Time Management and Organization

Here are some strategies you can use to support neuro-diverse learners. 

Supporting Neurodiverse Learners for the New School Year 

Create a Structured Daily Routine 

Creating structured daily routines for neuro-diverse students eases their anxiety and prepares them for the activities ahead. Learners on the spectrum thrive when they can predict what comes next. Uncertainty keeps them on the edge and builds anxiousness. A structured routine can include: 

• Breaks at specific times
• Creating a visual schedule they can see and track 
• Regular brain breaks in between learning periods. 
• Creating quiet spaces 

Use Visual Support 

There are many visual aids for neurodiverse students in the classroom you can utilize to help facilitate learning. Visual support can help your students stay organized and increase their focus, helping them grasp knowledge better. Use color codes, provide step-by-step instructions for tasks, and use clear pictures. 

Sensory Tools and Regular Breaks 

Sensory tools for kids with ADHD and autism are helpful because sensory processing is often overwhelming for learners on the spectrum. Have noise-cancelling headphones, fidget toys, and weighted blankets that they can easily use.

In addition, regular breaks also help these kids to self-regulate and maintain focus all day. Offer them access to a quiet space where they can rest and rejuvenate when they get overstimulated. These little things, make a world of difference. 

Break Down Tasks 

Breaking down tasks into smaller bits makes it more manageable, and less overwhelming. Differentiated instruction is recommended for neuro-diverse learners to ensure that their unique needs are catered to. 

Here’s how you can make a difference; 

• Allow for different ways of expression: creative projects, drawings, or oral presentations. 
• Give enough time for class work, texts, and assignments. 

In summary

Providing support for neuro-diverse learners as they get back to school makes a difference in their individual and collective experiences. It requires you to have patience, and be flexible and understanding so you can empower them to be confident regardless of their differences. 

Whether you’re a teacher with an active classroom of neurodiverse learners or a parent with autistic and ADHD children, these tips can help you provide the support they need to do great in school. 

Autism Friendly Things to Do in Chicago

Chicago is a vibrant city with something for everyone with unique attractions and a diverse culture. There are many places that are working to make Chicago more accessible to autistic and neurodiverse individuals and families. There are so many things to consider when going to public places with neurodiverse individuals. If you’re planning an adventure with your neurodiverse loved ones, we’ve put together a rich list of activities you can enjoy and autism-friendly spaces in Chicago you can visit. 

Visit the Chicago Children’s Museum 

The Chicago children’s Museum is a fun-filled location for children of all age groups. The beautiful museum is committed to inclusivity, so they ensure that their environment is welcoming for children of all abilities. They host many events open to children on the autism spectrum and their sensory garden is definitely one to look out for. The sensory garden is an interactive, yet calm space designed with their neurodiverse visitors in mind. 

Explore the Wonders of the Aquatic World at the Shedd Aquarium 

The Shedd aquarium is a go-to for visitors and locals of Chicago. Upon request, the aquarium provides sensory bags with noise cancelling headphones and small tools to help with fidgeting. 

They allow autistic individuals to explore the aquarium in a more comfortable setting during their sensory-friendly hours on Thursdays by 3:30pm and the last Sunday of every month. Through their Calm Waters program, veterans and guests on the neurodiverse spectrum can explore the aquarium without the usual crowd and enjoy it with lower sensory lights. 

Embrace Drama at the Chicago Children’s Theater

Chicago Children’s Theater is a fun hub dedicated to creating unique and culture inspired productions. They are committed to inclusivity, accessibility, and diversity, and this is evident in every performance that they put together. They offer sensory-friendly performances specially tailored for individuals on the spectrum; the sound, lights, and overall volume of the production is completely modified to make the performance more accommodating. 

Go on a Cosmic Adventure at The Adler Planetarium 

You can explore the beauty of the universe and all its mysteries at The Adler Planetarium. A calm and lovely space perfect for autistic individuals with an interest in space life. The Planetarium also offers sensory-friendly showings to accommodate the unique needs of autistic individuals and their neurodiverse visitors. These sensory-sensitive showings feature some modifications from sound to lighting and how the workers attend to visitors. 

Take a Leisurely Stroll through the Lincoln Park Zoo

Lincoln Park Zoo is a regular destination for Chicago locals and visitors alike. Admission to the park zoo is free and they show their commitment to inclusivity and accessibility by offering sensory bags for special visitors. The zoo also has a quiet area where you can sit and enjoy the view of wildlife in their different habitats. Explore other modifications and adjustments they make for neurodiverse guests HERE. 

All these locations are spectrum friendly locations that you and your loved ones can enjoy. Which one of these locations will you be exploring soon? 

Having a supportive and inclusive learning environment is an integral part of educating neurodiverse individuals. It is important because it not only affects the way the children learn, but it also affects their overall wellbeing. Firstly, recognizing the need to support individuals on the spectrum by recognizing their unique sensory needs is part of the journey towards building an inclusive classroom.

Now there are many ways you can support the diverse needs of your students on the spectrum in your classroom, because every child has unique sensory needs. These sensory needs range from sound, touch, movement, and more. So, it is important to recognize and address them however you can. Let’s dive into the various ways you can support children with Autism or ADHD in your school!

Hypo vs Hyper Sensitivities

Before building sensory supports in the classroom it is important to have a clear understanding of students’ sensory profiles. It takes time and careful observation to understand the unique sensory needs of each student. 

Some students may be hyposensitive – this means they are not getting enough sensory input from their environment. Some people refer to the students as “sensory seekers”. You might notice hyposensitive students jumping, spinning, fidgeting, or eating spicy foods.

Other students may be hypersensitive. These students are getting too much sensory input from their environment and can feel overwhelmed or overstimulated easily. You may find hypersensitive students covering their ears, seeking quiet/dark areas of the classrooms, or preferring only the tastes and textures of a limited number of foods. 

Students may be hypersensitive in one area (like touch) and hyposensitive in another (like smell). That’s why building a full understanding of each child’s unique sensory profile is critical before building supports. 

Auditory Support

Many neurodiverse individuals have sound sensitivity, and this can be triggered in a classroom with lots of activities. The excessive noise can overwhelm your neurodiverse students, one way you can support them is to make provision for noise cancelling headphones, or a quiet corner where they can go to escape from the noise.

They can also perform tasks in the quiet corner when a sensory overload happens. Another way to easily support your ADHD or autistic students in the classroom is to allow access to music. Soft and gentle music or white noise provide a calming effect on some neurodiverse individuals. These simple support measures go a long way in helping them improve their auditory skills.

Movement Support

Some neurodiverse students may need to move regularly to reduce anxiety and stay calm. One thing you can do to help is to incorporate movement breaks into your daily routine. These can be stretches, yoga, low jumps, short walks around the classroom, and the like. This can help the students release pent up stress and energy.

Another thing you can consider is flexible seating arrangements, to allow them to move from one position to the other, or stand and take lessons when they want to, this helps to improve their focus.

Multisensory Teaching Techniques

Multisensory teaching techniques combine different teaching methods to carry everyone along regardless of their sensory sensitivities. You can combine hands-on activities, visual aids, and verbal instructions to enhance the entire teaching and learning experience for neurodiverse students. As a teacher, you can employ tactile learning, interactive teaching techniques, and modern technologies to engage your students with different sensory sensitivities.

Every teacher or school should support the sensory needs of students with different sensory needs as it is essential for their success in the classroom. It is also a clear indication of how much you value inclusivity and are willing to contribute to helping neurodiverse students thrive. Schools in Chicago need to embrace these supports and enhance the learning process for neurodiverse students.

At City Elementary, we support neurodiverse children and inspire them to live life to the fullest. Our passionate teachers make learning a fun activity, not a task to avoid. We have so many teaching and learning strategies in place to support the unique needs of our students. Looking for a neurodiverse school in Chicago? We might be just what you need! Contact us today for information about admissions.