Response
Inhibition
Utilize waiting periods before obtaining preferred item/activity
Make first-then plans to instill patience
Use social stories or role play scenarios to discuss appropriate responses and timing
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Metronome activities to teach controlling body through a multi-sensory approach
Practice counting to three before acting
Children's books that discuss controlling impulses such as
My Mouth Is A Volcano by
Julia Cook​
Remove temptations to reduce impulsive acts
Provide close supervision in situations that may be more likely to cause trouble
Review situations in advance that will require response inhibition
Use visual schedules to provide structure
Create a habit tracker to encourage positive behaviors in the classroom
Obstacle course to practice completing course as instructed
Card games to encourage patience with turn-taking
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Uno
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Go Fish
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Crazy Eights
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Slapjack
Board games to encourage patience with turn-taking
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Candy Land
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Don’t Break the Ice
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Jenga
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Sorry!
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Guess Who
Interactive games​​ to work on impulsivity
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Simon says
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Duck duck goose
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Musical chairs
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Red light green light
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Mother May I
References
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Beck, C. (2019). Executive Functioning Skills Activity Guide. www.theottoolbox.com
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Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University (2014). Enhancing and Practicing Executive Function Skills with Children from Infancy to Adolescence. www.developingchild.harvard.edu.
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Dawson, P., & Guare, R., (2018). From Executive Function Skills in Children and Adolescents. New York: Guilford Press. Third Edition.
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Dawson, P., & Guare, R. (2009). Smart but scattered: The revolutionary “executive skills” approach to helping kids reach their potential. Guilford Press.
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Demonstrated Success. (2022, February 11). Classroom strategies to foster executive functioning for children [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OwZMX11daA
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Forgan, J. W., & Richey, M. A. (2015). The impulsive, disorganized child: Solutions for parenting kids with executive functioning difficulties. Prufrock Press Inc.​
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Harkla. (2022, February 22). Top 7 Executive Functioning Strategies for Kids [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2N0_zBYLlk
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Kenworthy, L., Anthony, L. G., Alexander, K. C., Werner, M. A., Cannon, L., & Greenman, L. (2014). Solving executive function challenges: Simple ways to get kids with autism unstuck and on target. Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.
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O’Brien, J., & Kuhaneck, H. (2019). Case-smith’s occupational therapy for children and adolescents (8th ed.). Elsevier.
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Otero, T. M., Barker, L. A., & Naglieri, J. A. (2014). Executive function treatment and intervention in schools. Applied Neuropsychology: Child, 3(3), 205–214. https://doi.org/10.1080/21622965.2014.897903
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Soclof, A., & Christie, L., (2020). Executive Functioning: Teaching Children Organizational Skills [Online course]. Professional Development Resources.