Abstract

This book presents an innovative model for supporting executive function in students with attention, memory, organization, planning, inhibition, initiative, and flexibility difficulties, including those with ADHD, ADD, autism spectrum disorders and related conditions.

The author advocates a student-centred approach in which educators first explore 8 key 'ingredients' with the student: relationships; strengths and weaknesses; self-advocacy and responsibility; review and preview; motivation and incentive; synthesis and analysis; rhythm and routine; and practice and repetition. She provides a step-by-step explanation of how these 'ingredients' can then be used in different ways and in different combinations to successfully address particular areas of difficulty. The approach is clearly explained, and the book contains many useful examples, practical tips and strategies, suggested conversation starters, sample time management plans and other tools that can be adapted to meet the particular needs of individual students.

Original and effective, the approach outlined in this book will be of interest to teachers and other professionals involved in supporting executive function in students of all ages, as well as parents and carers.

Through a combination of time management skills, planning and initiative, teachers are given formulas for success relating specifically to executive function skills, and will find this a powerful teaching tool.
Midwest Book Review
My 10th grade son was discouraged to the point of having shut down educationally and emotionally when we started working with Paula. Using a systematic approach, she has identified his individual learning style and taught him to "tap-in" to strategies that allow him to succeed in any environment. Now he can navigate assignments, tasks, and daily routines achieving outcomes which demonstrate his full potential. Most importantly, he is confident and believes in his abilities again.
Cindy Glorioso, mother of two children with ADHD and dysgraphia
Paula Moraine, M.Ed. has been a teacher and tutor for elementary grades, high school and college students, as well as a mentor, coach and adult educator in teacher training programs in the US, Germany and Scotland. She has lectured widely and led interactive workshops on child development, education and parenting. She is currently Director of the Community Outreach Center for Literacy and Tutoring Program at The Highlands School in Bel Air, Maryland, where she developed the program that forms the basis of this book by working with students of all ages, helping them to take control of their everyday executive functions.
Paula Moraine's goals are to make executive functions more understandable and to guide teachers and parents in helping students learn how they learn. She achieves those goals with clarity and creativity. An excellent book!
Steven E. Band, Ph.D., Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital, Baltimore
The 'ingredients' are presented with great imagery, making the concepts understandable and relevant. Paula provides a fresh and accessible approach to teaching and executive function that every teacher needs.
Paula Carmody, M.A.S., Educational Director, The Highlands School
Readers, both teachers and parents, will recognise the situations, the conversations, the misunderstandings and the frustrations, and they will gain a valuable range of techniques and options for helping young people learn to fix their attention.
Nasen Special Magazine