Page 4 - EF Skills Checklist portrait

How Executive Function Skill

difficulties can spiral into bigger

struggles

PANIC!

The class is given a string of
instructions about a writing
task. The stressor of unmet emotional
1 As they sit down, the teacher 2 needs (not feeling capable or
reminds the class of their certain) is triggered.
targets and things to include.
The child sits at his seat then
realizes he doesn’t know what
to do.

3

The emotional
stressor along
5 with impulse
control
The teacher gives the child difficulties leads
4 a behavior point. He now the child to start
doesn’t feel in control of work avoiding -
what is happening to him.
mucking around
and flicking a
pencil.
The teacher
gives him a
warning.

The added emotional stressor of
feeling a lack of control along with his
poor skills in regulating big feelings
leads to a fight stress response.