These three executive skills involve attention management: sustained attention, working memory, and organization.
Sustained Attention
Sustained attention is the ability to maintain attention to a specific situation or task in spite of distractions, poor mental energy, fatigue or boredom. This skill is often misunderstood because of some of the terms we have used to describe this problem over the years. For example, “attention deficit” makes it sound as if an individual with ADHD cannot pay attention to anything when, in fact, we pay attention to everything. Sustained attention is really about maintaining attention to the right thing at the right time.
Working Memory
Working memory is the capacity to hold information in mind while performing complex tasks. This skill is important for following multiple step instructions, including solving complex multifaceted math procedures and problems. Organizing ideas for writing can also be hampered by poor working memory. Working memory is largely responsible for the learning challenges children and teens with executive functioning problems can experience. Research has consistently shown that working memory is directly affected by poor sustained attention.
Organization
Organization is the ability to create and maintain systems to keep track of information or materials. Over the years, I have seen problems with organization keep thousands of smart people from experiencing their full potential. In today’s face-paced world, organizational systems are critical to success in school, business, and life. In order to get and stay organized, one must maintain strong attention management skills. Many students start the school year excited to have all their new organizational supplies. A week later, the new has worn off, they stop paying attention to their organizational schemes, and before they know it they are carrying around a backpack stuffed with papers in no particular order. Many adults do the same: we get busy and forget to stay organized: in the end we easily lose important information and materials.
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