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Additionally, individuals with anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia may also exhibit deficits in EF. The good news is that there are evidence-based strategies that can be used at home, in school, in the community, and in work situations that can significantly improve the executive functioning of individuals who struggle in this area. FLIPP the Switch: Strengthen Executive Function Skills is a practical book written for parents and educators by parents and educators. The target audience is anyone who works with young people ages 3-22 who have difficulties with organization, flexibility, impulsiveness, or problem-solving. Readers will learn about executive function (EF) and how EF skills contribute to success in school, at home, and at work. Most importantly, readers receive specific instructions, templates, and how-to scenarios for 25 strategies with five strategies for each of the five FLIPP components flexibility, leveled emotionality, impulse control, planning, and problem solving. This book is indispensable for anyone who wants to minimize behavior challenges, maximize on-task behavior, and support positive social-emotional development in a child or student.
“This is a fantastic tool for parents, professionals, and anyone else who connects with persons who have challenges with executive function skills. After a thoughtful, easy-to-read introduction on the difficulties experienced by those who struggle with thinking flexibly and self-monitoring their behavior, a series of concrete solutions is presented along with templates so they can be quickly and easily implemented. The ideas in this book are appropriate for learners of any age group and any ability level, including students who do not have diagnosed disabilities but struggle with executive function skills. FLIPP the Switch is a book that every parent and professional should have at the ready, like you might keep a cookbook in a kitchen. It reads like a recipe for success! I personally cannot wait to use it.”
– Aileen Zeitz Collucci, MA, CCC, speech-language pathologist, autism and social-communication consultant, and author of Big Picture Thinking: Using Central Coherence to Support Social Skills
“The layout and ease of use of this book is fantastic! The specific tools are organized in a manner that allows educators and/or parents to access specific strategies and put them into practice right away. The visual scales are incredibly useful for students to identify and monitor their behavior and identify how they are feeling. This is a great first step to help them identify what strategies they need to implement in the moment based on their self-reporting.”
– Phyllis Perlroth, lead education specialist, High Tech High North County, intern credential program
“As a physician, I am always in search of information on how to reduce the effects of autism from a biochemical perspective. In addition, as the father of two sons on the spectrum, I rely on practical strategies that help them to navigate their daily lives. FLIPP the Switch is just that type of practical help. It is straightforward, easy to use and put into action, and it speaks to executive functioning, which is a huge challenge for my sons and most kids on the spectrum. I highly recommend this book to parents and professionals.”
– Dwayne Cox, MD, anesthesiologist, and father of two on the spectrum
“Problems with attention, working memory, and EF of children and youth at home and at school are commonly cited; however, practical advice about how to ease these problems is rare. That’s where this book comes in, with honest and evidence-based recommendations for activities to strengthen working memory and executive function and improve focus and behavior. Readers will find clear descriptions of problems they will recognize – including self-regulation, impulse control, and difficulty linking behavior to its effects – and specific activities they can implement to help individuals with EF difficulties to cope and improve. In Flipp the Switch, long-term professional practice interfaces with a solid research base to create a set of strategies that enable parents and practitioners to feel renewed competence in supporting individuals with EF deficits. I predict this book will spend very little time sitting on a shelf.”
- Rollanda E. O’Connor, PhD, professor and Eady/Hendrick chair in Learning Disabilities, University of California, Riverside, and author of Teaching Word Recognition, The Handbook of Reading Interventions, and Ladders to Literacy
Power Up 1
Part 1: Introduction to Executive Function 5
What Is Executive Function (EF)? 7
What Do EF Challenges Look Like? 7
How Are EF Challenges Manifested? 9
How Do EF Deficits Impact Learning and Behavior? 11
Which Disorders Commonly Manifest Executive Function Deficits? 13
Part 2: Strategies to Strengthen Executive Function Skills 15
Flexibility 17
Visual Scales 17
Wait Card 24
Countdown Timer 31
Power Card 35
SOARR (Specify, Observe, Analyze, Respond, Reflect) 42
Leveled Emotionality 51
Choice Cards 51
Calming Routines 57
Help and Break Cue Cards 60
Chunking 69
Social Narratives: Story Format 73
Impulse Control 79
Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) 79
Reminder Cards 84
Reinforcement Systems 90
Social Autopsy 94
Cognitive Scripts 98
Planning/Organizing 101
First-Then Boards 101
Video Modeling 107
Organizing: Master Binder System 110
Contingency Mapping 114
Project Mapping 119
Problem Solving 123
Work Systems 123
Checklists 130
Task Analysis 134
Priming 141
Metacognitive Problem Solving 149
References 153