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Train Your Brain: Executive Functions- Spectrum (12-17) (ASD, ADHD, SPD,2e) Weekly

Executive Functioning Skills are critical. They are a better predictor of academic and behavioral outcomes than IQ or SocioEconomic Status (Pascual et al, 2020).
Nanci Norelli Smith, PhD
Average rating:
4.6
Number of reviews:
(793)
Popular
Class

What's included

5 live meetings
2 hrs 30 mins in-class hours

Class Experience

This class is specifically for kids on the Spectrum. Please note: If you do not have an official diagnosis but you suspect you would likely get a diagnosis, your child is welcome in this class. Also, if none of the class times work for you, your learner is of course welcome in the non-neurodivergent group.

Your brain is the "boss" of your body. 
But did you know that in your brain is the boss of the brain?
It's an area called the Prefrontal Cortex (PFC). It's job is to direct our brains to get things done, whether it is finishing (or starting) homework or a chore, managing time wisely, paying attention and being flexible. People with autism commonly need practice with these skills.
 We will explore different aspects that make up executive functioning.
An extensive body of literature in cognitive education proves that when kids are taught about how their brains work, they learn better. Pediatric Psychologist and Executive Function expert Dr. Lynne Kenney says "when children learn about how their brain works and why a particular task or activity will improve their thinking, learning or behavior, they become an integral part of the learning process. Their knowledge and active involvement in understanding why they are being asked to do a specific academic task makes them more motivated learners."

Each week of this 5 week class will cover different topics.
Week 1:  Planning, organizing and time management
Week 2: The "Selfs": Self Talk/Self Thought (Metacognition) and Self-Control 
Week 3: Getting started (Task Initiation), Attention and Working (short term) Memory
Week 4: Flexible Thinking and Grit (Perseverance)
Week 5: Emotional Regulation, Prioritizing, Problem Solving (hindsight and foresight)

Other Details

External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
  • Youtube
Joined April, 2020
4.6
793reviews
Popular
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Doctoral Degree in Psychology from University of Connecticut
New to Outschool? Use code NanciNo2020 to save $20 today! Can be applied to any class on Outschool including mine.


My passion is educating children (and parents) about executive functioning and its developmental importance. Too many kids get labeled as "lazy" or "troubled", when a lack of skill is the culprit, not a stubborn "will".   
This has led to extensive professional development training in executive functioning from leading experts in the field including an advanced certificate in EF for children and adolescents, and an advanced EF Mastery course of evidence- based strategies in attention, memory and self-regulation. More specific to ADHD was an intensive evidence-based Strategies course for managing ADHD across the lifespan.

I am a certified provider of the  PEERS® program, an evidence-based social skills program developed at UCLA for school age children through young adults on the Spectrum and certified as a provider (2025)  as one of the first groups of the new PEERS for Preschoolers program.

I earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychobiology from Fairfield (CT) University, and Masters and Doctorate degrees from UCONN in Biobehavioral Science.                         
 

            
One of my 6 children is autistic and has adhd, and three others have ADHD; I have ADD myself.  
I celebrate neurodiversity and see it as a superpower!

I am a self taught artist,  and volunteer for WA based non- profit "Paws with Cause", which uses art to raise money and awareness to help shelter pets get adopted and cared for.
I was interviewed on a podcast. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adhd-for-smart-ass-women-with-tracy-otsuka/id1443678424?i=1000634888729

Reviews

Live Group Class
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$24

weekly

1x per week, 5 weeks
30 min
Completed by 77 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 12-17
3-12 learners per class

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