Address details


Down Syndrome NSW
Level 6/410 Church St, North Parramatta
9am-5pm Monday - Thursday
T: 9841 444


Thursday 26 February 2009

Library Thursdays: Late, Lost and Unprepared

I was interested in reading Late, Lost and Unprepared: A guide to helping children with executive functioning (by Joyce Cooper-Kahn, Ph.D. & Laurie Dietzel, Ph.D., Woodbine House, 2008) because I had heard that people with Down syndrome have problems with executive functioning. This book is not specifically for people with Down syndrome, but it does seem to address some skills that may be of use to people with Down syndrome. Executive functioning is mental control and self-regulation to achieve a goal. This book lists the executive functions as: Inhibition, Shift (thinking and acting flexibly), Emotional control, Initiation, Working memory, Planning/organisation, Organisation of materials, and Self-monitoring. Many of these are considered areas of weakness for many people with Down syndrome. The second part of the book gives concrete strategies to help in each area. Many of the solutions are ones already suggested for people with Down syndrome--using visual prompts, routines, etc. However, it can be useful to see it presented in a different way. The book is very easy to read and skim. When needing a solution to a problem, it is possible to turn straight to the section and obtain a practical answer. The solutions may not be anything new to parents of people with Down syndrome, but I feel the book is useful and encouraging.
To borrow this book or any other from the library, just ask.

Related:
Working memory is discussed in Memory development for individuals with Down syndrome by Downs Ed UK.

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