Many students with executive functioning disorders struggle with organizing their learning and studying abilities. Therefore, how can we help them to establish and maintain an organized approach to learn and study successfully?

The whole idea is to help students discover a way that works for them because sometimes too much guidance may cause conflict (1). So, for start, we should encourage them to establish only one homework space they like most, such as their bedroom or kitchen and provide them with all the appropriate academic supplies (2). The space they will start to work should be clean, less distracted, and carefully organized. We can ask parents or our students to get a photo of the homework space to remember how they should have it every time they decide to study (6). To assure that our students have all supplies and materials they need to start their work, we help them to create their own checklist, for example pens, pencils, eraser, crayons, books, different color-coded folders for each class and put a check on them (3). Then, for organizing their schoolwork, we can give them several options, such as create their own planner in their computer, download helpful apps for planning, time management and organization, have a large wall calendar for writing their projects, assignments, and tests or a free google calendar with agenda options (3). Moreover, we can show them how to make graphics with images or verbal descriptions to make sure they have their notes, handbooks, handouts with them or stored at the right place (3,4). Furthermore, we can advise our students to check with their schoolteacher whether all their assignments have been completed and if not, to be able to complete them and get a grade (3). It is important to help our students prepare their “To Do list” every day, by writing all the important things they want to accomplish so that they can successfully organize their learning and studying (5).

 

 Bibliography

1.Scholastic Parent Staff (2020). Mission: Organization. Scholastic.com

2.Kaufman, Chr. (2021). 15 Tips on Organization, Study Skills, & Time Management for Students with Executive Function Issues. From Executive Function in the Classroom. Brooks. 3.Waren, E. (2021). Getting Organized. Developing Executive Functions and Study Strategies. Learning Specialist Courses.

4.U.S. Department of Education (2007). Organizing Instruction and Study to improve student learning. IES Practice Guide.

5.McIver, M. (2018). Executive Functioning. Orton-Gillingham Online Academy.

6.Dowson, P. and Guard, R. (2009). Smart but Scattered. The Revolutionary “Executive Skills” Approach to Helping Kids to Reach Their Potential. 1st Edition. 2

 

Ιωάννα Δημητριάδου

Ψυχολόγος-Ειδική Παιδαγωγός

Εξειδίκευση στη Δυσλεξία και στις Μαθησιακές Δυσκολίες, PgD

Συμβουλευτική Υποστήριξη Γονέων

Μέλος στο British Psychological Society, GMBPsS, GBC