What is Executive Functioning?

Executive Functioning Skills are an entree of interrelated abilities that help us manage:

1. Time-oriented tasks, task monitoring, and effective budgeting of time

2. Accurately assessing the demands of a task, along with an understanding of the variables that may impact these demands

3. Initiation (starting), inhibition (stopping), and self-regulation (monitoring) of certain behaviors

4. Maintenance of focus and development of resiliency during stressful tasks

5. Accurate appraisal of strengths and needs and development of a sense of a learning profile

Wanzenberg and Associates was founded, in part, to provide support for students who exhibit various and concomitant executive skills dysfunction or inefficiency:

Initiation: the ability to begin a task independently

Inhibition: the ability to stop a behavior at the appropriate time

Maintenance: sustaining attention during a task and developing task routines

Flexibility: moving from one activity to another and adapting to various academic demands

Organization of Materials: imposing order on school materials and storage spaces

Forecasting: the ability to manage current and future demands, including time and task management; includes assessment and budgeting of required resources

Self-Directed Behavior: the ability to self-monitor oneself, maintain awareness of one’s own capabilities/limitations, and functionally advocate for one’s own needs

Working Memory: the ability to retain information in the moment while solving multi-step problems

Emotional Control: modulation of emotional responses by bringing rational thought and coping strategies to the situation