The Learning Scientists Podcast Episode 91: Executive Functioning in Special Education with Sean McCormick
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Jul 3, 2025 Sean McCormick, Founder and Executive Director at EF Specialists, shares his expertise on executive functioning, particularly for neurodiverse students. He delves into the crucial connection between executive functions and academic success, emphasizing skills like self-regulation and cognitive flexibility. The conversation covers emotional engagement strategies and the innovative PEMDAS approach for setting SMART goals. Finally, Sean discusses building self-efficacy through manageable objectives, offering practical tips for educators and parents to empower students in achieving their learning goals.
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Defining Executive Function Skills
- Executive functioning includes skills like planning, organization, and self-management that help achieve long-term goals.
- Sean uses the acronym POSITIVE to explain key executive function skills essential for students.
Executive Function Beyond Memory
- Executive functioning encompasses working memory and cognitive flexibility, not just memory alone.
- These skills help us process relevant information amid millions of stimuli we receive every second.
Cognitive Inflexibility in Autism
- Cognitive inflexibility, such as difficulty transitioning between tasks, is a hallmark of autism.
- This inflexibility reflects executive function challenges impacting behavior and learning.