This webinar provides an introduction to executive function skills and how understanding them can support greater client independence and success. Clients with learning, attention, social, or emotional challenges often experience difficulties with executive function skills that many people take for granted. In this session we will cover the main executive function skills, strategies for improving ability, and how this understanding could benefit both you and any clients you work with.

Executive function is a set of mental skills that include working memory, flexible thinking, and self-control. We use these skills every day to learn, work, and manage daily life. Trouble with executive function can make it hard to focus, follow directions, and handle emotions, among other things

Learning Objectives:

As a result of this training, participants will be able to:

• Have a clear understanding of what executive function skills are, including examples like planning, task initiation, working memory, self-control, and flexibility.
• Gain insights into how deficits in executive function can affect low-income clients' ability to manage daily tasks, seek employment, maintain housing, and improve their overall quality of life.
• Acquire practical strategies for enhancing clients' executive function skills, including the use of visual schedules, breaking tasks into smaller steps, and setting achievable goals.

Facilitator: Tom Ellis, CPC, is the owner and operator of Tom Ellis Coaching in West Newbury, MA. Tom is a former employee at a Massachusetts Community Action Agency where he counseled and coached youth and adults in education and training programs and in the last 30 years has held multiple positions such as a teacher, trainer, artist, counselor, case manager, IT support, advocate, hospice volunteer, mediator and his current role as Life Coach in various industries. In his spare time, Tom lives on a small farm that is home to alpacas, goats, chickens, ducks and some Labrador retrievers.