Assisting a Sibling with Executive Functioning Difficulties: A Guide with 14 Practical Methods and Tactics
Executive functioning (EF) skills are crucial for everyday tasks such as planning, organising, prioritising, and managing time. If your sibling is struggling with EF challenges, understanding their difficulties is the first step in providing support.
Living with EF challenges can be frustrating for everyone involved. It's important to be patient and empathetic, acknowledging the challenges your sibling faces and offering encouragement.
One effective way to help improve your sibling's EF skills is through play. Games like Jenga, Settlers of Catan, and puzzles can all help boost executive function abilities.
Resources such as books, articles, blogs, and downloadable assessments can provide valuable insights into EF skills and challenges. One such resource is the PDF assessment issued by Gartner, which evaluates 11 areas of executive capability.
Effective communication is essential in supporting siblings with EF challenges. Expressing your own feelings and frustrations to your family can help foster understanding and empathy.
Breaking down tasks into smaller, manageable pieces can also help individuals with EF challenges. Creating a daily routine that includes activities such as homework, meals, and leisure time can provide structure and predictability. Using visuals such as pictures or colour-coding can make the routine more manageable.
Organisational skills are a fundamental component of executive functioning. Encouraging independence is important for siblings with EF challenges to develop self-sufficiency. Offer practical strategies for time management and problem-solving, such as creating to-do lists, setting reminders, organising schedules, and breaking tasks into smaller, manageable steps.
If your sibling has difficulty with impulse control, help them develop a plan for resisting impulsive behaviours. Work together to identify problems, brainstorm solutions, and create a plan of action for problem-solving.
It's also important to prioritise your own self-care to maintain your mental health while supporting your sibling. Connect with friends or a support group for emotional support.
Understand your family dynamics and adjust your strategy as needed. Celebrating your sibling's successes, no matter how small, can help boost their confidence.
As a sibling, you can play a critical role in supporting a sibling with EF challenges. Lead by example by keeping yourself organised, using reminders, and planning your day ahead. EF challenges can significantly affect academic success, social life, and mental health, so your support can make a real difference.
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