By: Jamie Seibert, Learning Specialist
Writing assignments become increasingly more difficult when students have learning differences. Students with learning differences are likely to struggle with executive function skills. I think everyone can struggle with executive functioning skills from time to time – it’s part of our busy culture!
The Center on the Developing Child from Harvard University defines executive function, and self-regulating skills include the mental processes that enable us to plan, focus attention, remember instructions and juggle multiple tasks successfully. I interpret this to define all the skills that are required within writing tasks. We are required to plan out our answers, focus our attention on the directions and completing the task, hold the information in our heads while writing and juggle multiple tasks – neatness, correct spelling, grammar, sentence structure, editing, etc.
To a struggling student, it is too much, and this can cause them to get stuck, shut down, or avoid the task altogether. Who likes to do hard things?
What Can You Do to Help Your Child with Their Writing Assignments?
The best way to help your child with their writing assignments is to break down the task into smaller chunks. For example, if your child comes home with a reading and writing assignment that requires them to read the text and answer questions, it may seem like a simple task, but it can seem overwhelming to some. When tasks seem overwhelming, we often cannot process and initiate the most important executive function skill – planning. Here is an example of how to break down the task into smaller tasks.
Example Task: Read Chapter 3, pages 40 – 55 in a chapter book, then answer ten questions using complete answers due at the end of the week
Breakdown
Day 1
- Read directions and questions before reading the text – what questions does your child have about the assignment? Make sure to ask the teacher for any clarification.
- Read pages 40 – 45 – tell a family member what happened or record yourself
- Read pages 46 – 50 – tell a family member what happened or record yourself
- Read pages 51 – 55 – tell a family member what happened or record yourself
Day 2
- Answer questions 1 – 5
Helpful support: If your child struggles to put thoughts down on paper, have them first record their answer (use a phone or iPad) so that they can replay parts of their response at a time while they write.
Day 3
- Answer questions 6 – 10
Helpful support: Use a speech-to-speech feature. This feature is free and available on Google Docs
Day 4
- Editing – check that all answers are correct and complete, check for spelling and check for any other missing work. It is extremely important that students with learning differences have enough time to check their work and ask further questions if additional support is needed.
Day 5
- Turn in the assignment and feel confident!
If you have questions about your child’s writing skills or executive function skills, please give us a call! One of our trained specialists can provide you with further information and set up an evaluation in the area of your concern.
info@enrichmenttherapies.com
740 Community Drive, Unit A
North Liberty, IA 52317
319-626-2553
infodm@enrichmenttherapies.com
5530 West Pkwy, Suite 300
Johnston, IA 50131
515-419-4270
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