Executive functioning: Working memory, time management and organisation
Executive functioning skills are the mental processes that enable us to plan, focus attention, remember instructions and juggle multiple tasks successfully. They are essential for learning, behaviour, and development.
The videos and tip sheet below provide valuable insight into the lived experience and feelings of young Autistic people, as well as practical strategies young people can use to build their executive functioning skills.
The resources focus on working memory, time management and organisational skills. These resources would be useful for Autistic students, teachers, and parents.
These resources were developed with input from Autistic people, an occupational therapist and education professionals. The creation of these resources was proudly funded by the Victorian Department of Education.
Executive functioning: Tips for Autistic teens
In secondary school, these executive functioning skills are essential for students to manage their increased responsibilities such as their timetable, which books to bring to each class, meeting assignment deadlines, homework, social and emotional demands of school life. Teachers play an important role in helping students understand these components of self-management and to practice developing their executive functioning skills.
Read the information sheet for more tips and advice.
Executive functioning videos
Video 1: Kristian, Student
This video focuses on time management and organisation skills for secondary school students at both school and home. Featuring an Autistic secondary school student Kristian and his mother Lisa in their home preparing what they need for school and the strategies they use to help them.
Kristian and Lisa talk about:
- How to tricky school work easier
- Communicating in advance with teachers
- Schedules which include work and breaks
- Using checklists and reminders
Video 2: Ida, Teacher
This video focuses on working memory, time management and organisational skills. It features secondary school teacher Ida talking about how these skills impact students in the classroom and how they can support development of these skills, including the teacher showcasing resources.
Ida talks about:
- Homework checklists
- How to set your locker
- Checklists
- Planners and checklists
Video 3: Ebony, Education Specialist (who is also Autistic)
This video features Ebony, an education specialist, discussing the importance of executive functioning skills and how they impact Autistic children and their school life and learning. They share strategies for developing working memory, time and management and organisational skills.
Ebony talks about:
- Using your strengths
- Talk to a trusted adults
- Using an easy tricky chart
- Breaking down tasks into smaller parts