Executive Function Support

Executive functioning drives our ability to plan ahead, problem solve, manage time, and organize multiple tasks. Every person struggles with some aspect of executive functioning from time to time, but some students experience these issues as barriers to success. Therefore, we also specifically work with students to develop better executive functioning skills in order to help balance their academic, social and extracurricular obligations.

Though one session per week is sufficient for the basic organization of homework or content support, we recommend two or more days of tutoring during the school year for those struggling with executive functioning.

In what areas of executive function does a tutor support a student?

• Organization — Tutors work with students to build on their strengths and embrace an organizational system that is intuitive and self-reinforcing. Time during tutoring sessions is allotted for tracking physical materials and due assignments.
• Planning —LTLS tutors work alongside students to create digestible steps for both their daily homework as well as large projects and long-term goals. Once these steps are identified, we support students in prioritizing their attention and time.
• Task initiation — Students who struggle with task initiation are often accused of procrastinating. Task initiation, however, is more connected to anxiety. LTLS tutors encourage students to make incremental changes toward managing the issues that make beginning a task challenging.
• Working memory — Working memory is the ability to hold information in one’s mind and use it to complete a task. Because many issues impact working memory, tutors strive to address working memory issues. Encouraging students to try different techniques that build their working memory capacity and reinforcing these behaviors over time are important components of every tutoring session.
• Self-monitoring — LTLS tutors teach and reinforce self-monitoring. They encourage self-checks that increase students’ ability to monitor and evaluate their own behavior and performance.
• Stress-reduction techniques — Many students who seek tutoring are experiencing some level of stress in their lives. Tutors often model and help students implement stress-reduction techniques and reinforce behaviors that reduce stress. While we promote setting high standards for achievement, we encourage students to find the balance between striving for success and meeting their needs around stress management.
• Self-advocacy — Learning to self-advocate is an important life skill. Tutors offer multiple levels of support and encouragement that aid students with their abilities and comfort in finding the support they need to be successful students.