Executive Functions

Developing Executive Functioning is at the core of our curriculum.

We recognise that challenges in Executive Functioning persist across many ways of defining young people’s needs, including ADHD, Autism and Specific Learning Difficulties such as Dyslexia or Developmental Coordination Disorder. Where young people have experienced Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), they may also struggle with Executive Functioning.

At The Pears Family School, we focus on developing high-level cognitive processing skills that enable the ability to regulate and focus through  goal-directed thoughts and behaviours. Integrated into lessons, taught explicitly and reflected in feedback and praise, the development of 8 executive functions is central to our curriculum. Students learn how to learn.

More information about Executive Functioning can be found below:

Harvard University’s A Guide to Executive Function

Child Mind Institute’s Helping Kids Who Struggle with Executive Functioning

A Video from ‘Therapy In a Nutshell’ : What is Executive Functioning and Why Does it Matter?