Charting the Cs Main Conference 2023: Partnering with Parents to Support Executive Function
Presenter: 
Lea Anne Paskvalich, Independent Consultant
Next Steps Consulting LLC
Introduction and Background
Professional
* Next Steps Consulting, LLC
* Autism Society of Colorado
* Temple Grandin School
* University of Colorado, SLHS
* Preschool Teacher, Private & Public
Personal
* Midwest origin
* Colorado 20+ years
* Family
* Giving Back
* Relationships
Partnering with Parents Overview
* Parents as Partners
* Educate Parents
* Support Parents
* Resources
Parents as Partners
Begin by acknowledging that parents are the experts on their child.
* Build a relationship
* Always assume positive intent
* Parents have valuable information
* Knowledge of executive function
* Apple / Tree
Educate to Increase Parents’ Understanding
* Define executive function in plain language
* Executive function is not one thing, it is many things
* Executive function at school
* Executive function at home
Define Executive Function for Parents
* Demystify executive function 
* It is how we get stuff done
* It’s how our brain gets us ready to complete a task and then follows through to complete it
* It helps us jump from wanting or needing to do something to completing it
* It has been described as “how to adult”
* Explain what executive function challenges are not.
o “Executive function challenges are often mistaken for disobedience, laziness, defiance, or apathy.” –Chris Zeigler Dendy
* Executive function is not one brain function but many, working together
o Plan and organize
o Initiate
o Monitor
o Inhibit
o Working memory
o Emotional regulation – important
Executive Function: Home vs. School Considerations
Home/School
* At-home routines/School day structure
* Homework
* Getting ready/Returning home
* Relationships
* Rest, stress and meltdown
* Friends
Navigating Executive Function Topics
* Understanding executive function
* Establish 1-2 executive function priorities
* Emotional regulation – important
* Homework/Independent work
* Time – Where does it go?
* Organization – Trash or Treasure?
Parent Access to Executive Function Resources
Where are they?
* Informational Websites
* YouTube
* Podcasts
* TED Talks
* Books
* Conferences
* Social media/#executivefunction
How to disseminate? 
* Teacher’s webpage
* Class/school newsletter
* Parent book club
* School/classroom posters
* Invite an executive function speaker
5 Great Executive Function Parent Resources
1. Seth Perler 
2. Sarah Kesty
3. Unstuck and On Target Parent/Caregiver Videos
4. Analog Visual Timer/360 Time Tracker App
5. Understood.org

Thank you!
Lea Anne Paskvalich
LeaAnne@nextstepsconsult.com
www.nextstepsconsult.com