Executive Functioning

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Assistive technology is a crucial component of many students' success, especially those with special learning needs. Students who have difficulty in the nine domains of executive functioning can benefit greatly from a wide range of assistive technology tools available today.

The following assistive technologies can help students with executive dysfunction manage their time, materials, and schedules more independently:

• Visual planner (e.g. Day Runner, Franklin planner) – Planners help students stay organized and manage upcoming assignments and events. Often, a visual aid is just what students need to remember and manage homework assignments, materials, club meetings, sports games, etc.

• Online or mobile planner (e.g. Microsoft Outlook calendar, iCal, mobile device calendar) – Even better! High-tech planners are more engaging, fun, and easy-to-use.

• Timer with visual, vibrating, or auditory alert – For students with time management struggles, setting a timer to monitor homework time can be of great help. Many students may feel as if their homework is endless, so it helps to “chunk” homework time for students. First, they work through a predetermined amount of work time (anywhere from 5 minutes to an hour or more, depending on the student), then they can take a short break. Timers can also be used to monitor attention and task completion in class.

While students with executive dysfunction are usually highly intelligent and capable, they will likely have difficulty navigating the lengthy and detailed processes involved in writing or even reading. These assistive technology tools can help students with executive functioning challenges complete reading and writing assignments:

• Kindle – Amazon’s amazing new wireless reading device! The Kindle makes reading more accessible, fun, and high-tech, so students with executive functioning issues may be inspired to read for longer stretches at a time

• Dragon Naturally Speaking – Dragon is a speech-to-text software program that allows students to dictate writing assignments. This can be very helpful for students with executive functioning issues, as the laborious, physical element of the writing process is bypassed.

• Don Johnston Products – The Don Johnston website represents a “marketplace” of many different products and assistive technologies that are helpful for students with learning disabilities and executive dysfunction.

• Inspiration – Please refer to detailed information on the Inspiration pages of this website.