Dyslexia and Executive Functioning: Classroom Accommodations

In this three-part article series, we’re giving PreK–12 educators practical strategies and powerful tips for helping students with dyslexia develop their executive functioning skills. For tips about explicit instruction focused on executive functioning skills, read part two. For more on using professional development to help educators support these skills, read part three.

Why Are Executive Functioning Skills Important?

Without strong executive functioning skills, the cognitive processes that enable individuals to plan, prioritize, organize, and complete tasks, it’s more difficult for students to achieve academic success. People who have well-developed executive functioning skills can set goals, plan out their own actions, monitor their own progress, and evaluate outcomes. They’re capable of regulating their thoughts and actions in a goal-directed manner, managing their time efficiently, and staying flexible when faced with unexpected changes or obstacles. These skills are crucial for achieving everything from academic success to social-emotional well-being. For students with dyslexia, who may face challenges with planning and organization, developing executive functioning skills can help in many ways.

What Are the Components of Executive Functioning Skills?

Several critical components of executive functioning skills are useful for educators to understand.

• Working memory refers to the ability to hold information in your mind for brief periods while using it to carry out a task or reach a goal.
• Cognitive flexibility is the ability to adapt one's thinking or behavior in response to changing situations or demands.
• Inhibitory control is the ability to suppress inappropriate responses or impulses.
• Planning refers to organizing tasks, materials, time, and space effectively towards achieving goals.
• Self-monitoring and regulation require reflection on one’s own behaviors and emotions, while taking appropriate steps towards self-improvement over time.

How Does Executive Functioning Impact Learning and Success in Life?

Strong executive functioning skills often preclude academic achievement, as they help students stay focused on learning tasks while avoiding distractions and impulsive behavior. Students who struggle with executive functioning may find it difficult to follow directions from teachers or complete assignments within deadlines. These skills will also be essential for these students to eventually succeed in the workplace, where employees must be able to prioritize tasks, manage time effectively, and adapt to changes in the work environment. Social situations also require strong executive functioning skills to regulate emotions and behaviors across various social interactions.

How Can Executive Functioning Skills Help Students with Dyslexia?

Dyslexia affects an individual’s ability to read fluently and accurately. While students with dyslexia are often highly intelligent and skilled in many areas, they can experience difficulty decoding words due to the way their brains function. These students benefit from specialized reading instruction tailored specifically to their needs. They may also struggle to build executive functioning skills such as planning, organization, and time management. These challenges can make it much harder for them to complete assignments on time and keep up with their peers academically. Developing executive function skills can help students with dyslexia improve overall performance and succeed in school and in their future careers.

How Can Educators Help Students with Dyslexia Build Executive Functioning Skills?

To prioritize developing these skills in their students, educators can adopt strategies that support working memory, cognitive flexibility, inhibitory control, planning and organization, time management, self-monitoring, and self-regulation, helping students with dyslexia succeed in school settings and throughout their lives.

Here’s the first of three sets of tips for educators, school administrators, or district leaders helping students with dyslexia strengthen executive functioning skills. Try the ideas we showcase here and track your students’ improvements over time! (Or check out part two or part three.)

Classroom Accommodations and Modifications

The unique learning needs of students with dyslexia require specialized accommodations and modifications. Effective classroom strategies can make a significant difference in their executive functioning skills, academic success, and overall well-being. Students with dyslexia can benefit dramatically from these practical, achievable modifications that educators can implement in classrooms:

• Organizational Tools: Provide tools like color-coded folders, binders, and planners to help students organize their materials and assignments. Clear labels and consistent use of color-coding can reduce confusion and help them stay organized.
• Visual Schedules: Use visual schedules that outline the day's activities and transitions. Visual schedules can help students with dyslexia understand the structure of the day and reduce anxiety about what to expect next.
• Accessible Classroom Environment: Ensure that classroom materials and resources are easily accessible. Label supplies clearly and keep the classroom organized so that students can find what they need without unnecessary difficulty.
• Chunking Information: Divide large assignments or instructions into smaller, more manageable parts. Provide step-by-step written and verbal instructions to ensure students can follow along without feeling overwhelmed.
• Alternate Formats for Texts: Offer reading materials in various formats such as audiobooks, e-books, or large-print texts. This allows students to access the content in the format that best suits their needs.
• Graphic Organizers: Implement graphic organizers like mind maps, Venn diagrams, and flow charts to help students organize their thoughts and ideas visually. These tools can aid in comprehension and retention of information.
• Simplified Instructions: Use clear, concise language when giving instructions and avoid using idioms or complex sentences. Repeat instructions as needed and check for understanding by asking students to paraphrase what they need to do.
• Alternative Assessment Methods: Provide options for students to demonstrate their understanding in different ways, such as oral presentations, projects, or visual representations, allowing students to showcase their knowledge without being hindered by reading and writing difficulties.
• Preferential Seating: Place students with dyslexia in a location where they can easily see and hear the teacher, away from distractions like windows or high-traffic areas, enabling better focus on instruction.
• Flexible Seating Options: Offer different types of seating arrangements, such as standing desks, wobble stools, or bean bags. Flexible seating can help students with dyslexia find a comfortable position that aids their concentration and learning.
• Frequent Breaks: Schedule short, regular brain breaks during lessons to help students with dyslexia manage their attention and reduce cognitive fatigue. Breaks can include quiet time to refocus or physical movement like stretching or short walks. Activities like quick games can also be effective.
• Peer Support: Create opportunities for peer tutoring or buddy systems where students can work with classmates for support. Peer support can provide additional explanations and encouragement, enhancing learning experiences.

Succeed in School and in Life

Developing executive functioning skills is essential for students with dyslexia to succeed academically and in their lives. Educators play a significant role in helping students with dyslexia build effective executive functioning skills. Strengthen these skills and create a supportive learning environment by setting clear expectations, following the tips above, and providing positive feedback frequently.

In part two of this series on executive functioning skills and students with dyslexia, we deliver helpful tips for explicit instruction. In part three, we cover some of the best ways to help educators support these skills through professional development.

Visit our Dyslexia Hub to learn more and find helpful resources.

Find out how a powerful reading intervention program like SPIRE can help your school or district support students with dyslexia.