Executive Functioning Disorders

Did you know that as many as 1 out of every 5 people in the U.S. has a learning disability? 1

Did you know that almost 3 million children (ages 6 through 21) have some form of a learning disability and receive special education in school? 1

Did you know that 30 – 50% of the population has undiagnosed learning disabilities? 2

With an increasing number of children being diagnosed with learning disabilities (LDs) each year, it has become imperative for parents to stay educated and informed. ADHD, Dyslexia, and different Auditory and Visual processing disorders have been researched and treated for years. Recently, there is evidence that allows doctors to classify some of these LDs differently. One of these classifications is called ‘Executive Functioning Disorder’ (EFD). One of the most common responses that JBG Ed Group hears from parents in response to their child being diagnosed with EFD is, “What is that?” Executive functioning is a significant part of one’s day-to-day life. Doctors describe EF as a collection of brain processes that are responsible for the following:

Inhibition - The ability to stop one's own behavior at the appropriate time, including stopping actions and thoughts. The flip side of inhibition is impulsivity; if you have weak ability to stop yourself from acting on your impulses, then you are "impulsive." 3

Shift - The ability to move freely from one situation to another and to think flexibly in order to respond appropriately to the situation. 3

Emotional Control - The ability to modulate emotional responses by bringing rational thought to bear on feelings. 3

Initiation - The ability to begin a task or activity and to independently generate ideas, responses, or problem-solving strategies. 3

Working memory - The capacity to hold information in mind for the purpose of completing a task. 3

Planning/Organization - The ability to manage current and future- oriented task demands. 3

Organization of Materials - The ability to impose order on work, play, and storage spaces. 3

Self-Monitoring - The ability to monitor one's own performance and to measure it against some standard of what is needed or expected. 3

Most children struggle to complete homework occasionally due to lack of motivation or the tendency to be distracted. However, if your child shows an extraordinary inability to complete every day tasks such as completing homework in a timely fashion, finishing his or her chores in an efficient, effective way, or has trouble making the right decisions, there is a possibility that he/she may be suffering from an Executive Functioning Disorder. These disorders can affect a child’s performance in school, behavior in and out of the home, and over all functionality in social situations.

Confidential testing is available though JBG Educational Group by Dr. Jamie Rodriguez.


1 National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities

2 National Institute for Literacy

3 http://www.ldonline.org/article/What_Is_Executive_Functioning%3F

Tips For Writing A Great College Essay

With the school year quickly approaching, upcoming seniors (and their parents) are beginning to feel the pressure brought on by the college application process. As competition for acceptance into America’s prestigious colleges increases, many of you are probably wondering how to make your achievements stand apart from the rest.

One of the most important facets of your college applications is the essay. A well-crafted, thoughtful essay allows you to showcase everything that makes you unique. College admissions counselors want to see the person behind the resume and grades, and understand your passions outside of academia. Your essay also gives admissions counselors a brief insight into your writing and critical thinking skills, so be sure to give your essay the time it deserves.

A great college essay can make all the difference and result in a letter of acceptance! Here are some tips for writing an excellent college essay.

1) The JBG Educational Group rule of thumb is that a great college essay will allow your reader to learn twenty new things about you.

2) Keep the focus of your essay about you and only you! Choose an activity that you participate in or an aspect of your life that can be described in great detail. You are not trying to write a description of all of your activities, as you have already provided this in your application.

3) Once you have chosen a topic, make sure you develop the theme with specific examples. Be clear and specific when you are developing an idea through organization and details.

4) Avoid being vague and predictable. Instead of saying that you want to save the world, give an example of something you have done that has had a lasting impact.

5) Less is more. Don’t try to over emphasis a point by writing intense, complex sentences. Clear, concise sentences are much more effective.

6) Have fun with your essay! This is your chance to show the college that you are more than just a piece of paper. Don’t waste it!

Featured College: The University of New Hampshire

Written by current student Kara Scozzari

As I enter my senior year at the University of New Hampshire, I feel as though I know all of the ins and outs of the Durham, New Hampshire campus. When I arrived at my dorm on move-in day, freshman year, I was terrified and felt lost on what seemed to be a never-ending campus. I quickly regained my balance thanks to living in a great dorm and being surrounded by great people. I lived in Christensen Hall, which is located next to Williamson Hall, another freshman dorm. Everyone who lived in these dorms was very friendly, and many would leave their doors open in an effort to be social and make new friends. Christensen and Williamson Hall are conveniently located next to one of three dining halls on campus, Philbrook Dining Hall. I’d see lots of students from my classes at the dining hall on a daily basis. When the weather was nice, students would take a break from studying to lie in the sun or toss frisbees on the quad. It was amazingly easy to make friends in an environment that promoted unity among students.

It was as easy to get involved on campus as it was to make new friends. During the first few weeks of school, UNH holds its annual “University Day” during which the dining halls are shut down and there is a massive cookout on Main St. Every student at the school is invited, as well as professors and their families! After students grab a burger and a soda, they can walk around and check out the different clubs and organizations that UNH offers. It’s like a giant fair of activities! Since UNH is such a big school, there are lots of different types of activities to investigate. One can become involved in anything from Greek life to sporting teams to volunteer groups.

The setup of UNH is exactly what one might imagine when asked to picture a “typical” college campus. The town of Durham is small so the school makes up the majority of it. The downtown area is filled with restaurants, bars, and a few shops. There is also the infamous “DUMP” which stands for Durham Marketplace. The “DUMP” is within walking distance from campus and is a market that sells local goods and is surrounded by other eateries and a pharmacy. My favorite place at the “DUMP” is Kaleida-Scoop; an ice cream shop that has an incredible black raspberry chocolate chip flavor.

When it comes to classes, UNH makes course selection very simple freshman year. During orientation, the students meet with the dean and advisors of the school they are in. I entered into the Whittemore School of Business and Economics and I was guided in choosing the classes I needed to take towards my business degree. Selecting classes for the first time can be very daunting, but my advisors made the process very painless, and I enjoyed all of my classes! My classes were relatively small except for the occasional large lecture. The largest class I had was a math class that was made up of more than two hundred students. Although I had the large lecture three days a week, I also attended a smaller math class taught by the teaching assistant. Professors at UNH always have office hours during which students can visit them to ask questions or just to talk. It’s a great way to get to know the professor and make sure they know you, when you are in a large class.

The gymnasium at UNH has an indoor track, rock climbing wall, aerobics rooms for classes, and racquetball courts. Unfortunately, the gym is too small for such a large school. The athletes have their own special gym, but the rest of us are stuck waiting in lines to use an elliptical. The one good thing about the gym is the track. Students can always run without having to wait. I’ve taken plenty of exercise classes as well; everything from spinning to zumba. There is also a sauna inside the locker rooms.

I couldn’t be happier with my choice to go to UNH. Looking back at my senior year of high school, it was kind of a blur when deciding where to apply. I ended up choosing UNH, and although I’m not sure of my exact reason why, I’m so thankful that I did. UNH allowed me to find an amazing group of friends, take wonderful classes, and feel like part of a community on the Durham campus. I’m sad to say this will be my last year at “the U”.

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