Page 28 - Strength Based Approach to Executive Function Skills DRAFT

The brain acts differently in

safety and threat:

Under threat, the brain When in safety, the brain

reacts: reacts:

EMOTIONAL: STEADY: I can be

I need to be emotional

– shout and scream so calm and steady – I
don’t need to call for
others come and help.

rescue me

FLEXIBLE: I know I
RIGID: I need to be

rigid and focus only on am safe so I can think
things through,
one thing - what I problem solve and

need to survive
think of others.

DELIBERATE: I can

take my time and think
IMPULSIVE: I need things through – I

to be impulsive and don’t need to make

react quickly to danger
urgent decisions to

stay safe.

ALERT: I need to be FOCUSED: I do not

alert and on guard to need to worry about

any dangers around dangers around me. I

me. can focus on one task.

▪ When does your brain act in threat mode?

▪ Is it a real threat? Does your response help?

▪ Is your brain wired to be great in threat survival skills?