Executive Function Brain Trainer Podcast

In this episode, Darius and Erica discuss the importance of parental support for children with executive functioning problems. General executive functioning support: Set an example Be structured and organized Plan for events Be on time Think aloud Share your own strategies Help your kids define and use their own strategies Find an executive functioning coach How to help with working memory Teach m...

In this episode, Darius and Erica share some personal life hacks, tools, and technology for managing cognitive flexibility. How cognitive flexibility works Managing different rules for different situations Realizing diverse perspectives Shifting from one task to another Personal executive function hacks Find joy and excitement in new learning experiences Be compassionate, accepting, and positive S...

In this episode, Darius and Erica share thoughts on the online, video-communications tool, Zoom. The discussion focuses on how Zoom can be used to support and assist our executive functioning.  Discussion: Visual features: background blurring, visual composition, gallery vs individual view Auditory features: sound quality, headphone Tools: annotations, breakouts, whiteboard, screen share, remote c...

In this episode, Darius and Erica share some personal life hacks, tools, and technology to develop inhibitory control skills. how inhibitory control works personal executive function hacks Time blocking Calendars Reminders Managing your environment - physical - visual - desk position Lighting Clothing - uniform - shoes - glasses Sound quality Creating a focused routine Technology Split screens The...

In this episode, Darius and Erica share some personal life hacks, tools and technology to maximize your working memory. Darius and Ericas’ personal executive function hacks What is working memory? Visualization, visual-spatial, and inner voice - using the tools of working memory Working memory and memory strategies Technology tools and techniques Understanding the Foundation Visualization Inner Vo...

In this episode, Erica and Darius discuss the symptoms of ADHD from both the UK and US perspective. They also discuss how this relates to executive functioning and other diagnoses such as dyslexia.  Finally, they address how to acquire a diagnosis, as well as some solutions to ADHD. Here is a combined symptoms list as defined by the United Kingdom NHS and the United States DSM5 criteria. Symptoms...

Auditory processing is a cognitive skill that allows us to interpret and find meaning from sounds in our environment. In other words, it is how we make sense of what we hear. In this podcast, we will review ten types of auditory processing and will discuss the importance of each skill for early literacy and learning at large. What does this have to do with executive functioning?  If we are not pro...

Last week (Episode 18) we talked about a number of cognitive areas that work in tandem with visual processing. In this episode, we discuss vision problems and their impact on learning. Vision Problems: Importance of vision screening (must rule out before testing) Symptoms Frequent headaches or eyestrain Blurring of vision (near or far) Avoidance of close work or visually demanding tasks Poor judgm...

Last week (Episode 17) we talked about visual processing. In this episode, we discuss a number of cognitive areas that work in tandem with visual processing. Additionally, we discuss a variety of resources that can be used to enhance these cognitive skills. Related Areas that Work with Visual Processing 1. Visual Processing Speed: processing visual information at a certain pace or speed. 2. Visual...

Visual processing is a cognitive skill that allows us to interpret and find meaning from visual images. In other words, it is how we make sense of what we see. Visual processing is vital because it plays a key role in learning visual information from our environment.  It is a fundamental skill for reading, math, and spelling. Visual processing involves a number of cognitive processing skills:  Vis...

In this episode, we explore the connection between working memory and long-term memory. Darius shares his experience in dyslexia and executive functioning master class with Dr Neil Mackay and others. We discuss the application of memory strategies, effortful mental transformation, and active processing to improve learning. We covered the following topics: Dyslexia Friendly Approach Alan Baddeley’s...

In this episode, we discuss learned helplessness and its impact on learning. We also address strategies that can help students move through learned helplessness and embrace learning. Learned helplessness happens when people or animals become conditioned to believe that a bad situation is unchangeable or inescapable. Learned helplessness occurs when an individual continuously faces a negative, unco...

In this episode, we discuss how we teach writing skills to our own students as well as a number of valuable tools that can make the process fun and memorable. We covered the following topics: Common ways to teaching writing to students Writer’s block or writer’s bottleneck Visual Organizer (The Story Star Method) Writing Games at Good Sensory Learning Technology Google Keep Wordtune Scrible Color...

In this episode, we talk about motivation as a fire that is inside the child and it's up to us to ignite the fire and keep it burning. We also talked about how to properly praise a child through and the use of non-violent communication. We covered the following topics: How to motivate children from different perspectives: teachers, parents and student Teach children how to manage their executi...

In this episode, we discussed the overlap between executive function difficulties, dyslexia, ADHD, and other learning difficulties.  We covered the following topics: Executive Functioning: Working Memory: Intentionally pulling, manipulating, storing information Inhibitory Control: Inhibit or block distractions Cognitive Flexibility: Shift from one task to another Executive Functioning and Study Sk...

In this episode, we discuss a number of ways we teach executive functioning skills in our own practices. We covered the following topics: Executive Functioning and Study Skills Course by Erica Master Mentality vs Coping Mentality      -Master Mentality- People who easily learn content don’t always make good teachers      -Coping Mentality- People who struggled to learn content but eventually maste...

Creating a daily routine is a way to take care of yourself, present your best self to others, and reach your ultimate goals. It also establishes priorities, limits procrastination, provides a structure that builds positive habits and can generate momentum that will carry you on the days when you are feeling rather apathetic and unmotivated. When we build routines to automaticity, these actions bec...

In this episode, we discuss 12 strategies that can be used to improve executive functions. We organized the discussion under four main headings: Routines and Approaches: Maintaining a structured daily routine Using planners and PDAs Developing study skills and strategies (spaced repetition, memory strategies, developing working memory, doing one task at a time to completion) Eating a healthy diet...

Higher-Level Executive Functions unite working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility. Like a sound engineer in a recording studio, we can mindfully arrange, balance and adjust our mental input or perceptions into a composition. It requires a concert of reasoning, creativity, planning, pattern recognition, timing and sequencing skills. Higher-Level Executive Functions 1. Reasoning:...

Cognitive flexibility is part of executive functioning that helps us switch gears to changing demands, priorities and perspectives.  It also helps us to consider different rules for different situations, opens pathways to creative thinking, and allows us to update goals so we can achieve them. In a nutshell: Cognitive flexibility is a critical skill that enables individuals to accurately and effic...

Inhibitory Control - Inhibitory control , also known as response inhibition , is an executive function – that permits an individual to inhibit their impulses and habitual behavioral responses in order to select a more appropriate behavior that is consistent with completing a task or goal.  Ability to block distractions - Editing your moment - MUTE Links for reference of the topic Executive Functio...

Executive functioning conducts our multisensory symphony of cognitive skills and makes it possible for us to mentally juggle ideas think before we act meet unanticipated challenges resist temptations stay focused initiate tasks to name a few. Today, we will offer an overview of the core executive functioning skills. 3 Core Executive Functions Working Memory - Ability to temporarily store, manage,...

Working memory is a complex cognitive skill that enables learners to hold pieces of information in the mind and manipulate them.  It is often described as a mental workspace that helps individuals manage their memories, stay focused, block distractions, and stay abreast of their surroundings. Alan Baddeley's theory: Sensory Input and Memory enable one to briefly retain the environmental inform...

Automaticity is the ability to complete tasks without occupying the conscious mind . These tasks become an automatic, unconscious response pattern or habit. This episode reveals the benefits of automaticity for learning and the steps required to achieve this goal. Steps of automaticity: Make a conscious choice to acquire a habit. Focus all your attention on this task and manage all distractions. R...

This episode continues our discussion on the mind’s eye and goes into ways we can exercise and improve one’s visualization capacity.  We discuss the 10 visualization skills as defined by Aristotle, an ancient Greek philosopher.  We will also teach you a game you can play with others to improve this needed skill. Links for reference of the topic: Visualization for Learning: https://goodsensorylearn...