FLIPP the Switch: Strengthen Executive Function Skills is a practical book written for parents and educators by parents and educators. The target audience is anyone who works with young people aged 3-22 who are disorganized, inflexible, impulsive, and who struggle with planning or problem solving. Readers will learn about executive function (EF) and how EF skills contribute to success in school, at home, and in work environments. Most importantly, readers will receive specific instructions, templates, and how-to scenarios for 25 strategies, five strategies for each of the five FLIPP components - flexibility, leveled emotionality, impulse control, planning, and problem solving. This book is indispensable for anyone who wants to minimize conflict, maximize on-task behaviour, and support positive social-emotional development in a child or student with challenging behaviour.
Although many educators associate deficits in EF skills with students on the autism spectrum, the reality is that many young people struggle with executive functioning. In fact, it is accurate to say that all young people are learning executive functioning as these skills are not fully developed until people are well into their twenties. In addition, several clinical conditions, such as attention deficit disorders, fetal alcohol syndrome disorder, intellectual disability, obsessive-compulsive disorders, social communication disorder, specific learning disability, Tourette's Syndrome, and traumatic brain injury are often understood to have a component of EF deficits. Furthermore, individuals with diagnoses such as anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia may also exhibit deficits in the area of executive function.
The good news is that there are evidence-based strategies that can be used at home, in school, in the community, and in work situations that can significantly improve the executive functioning of individuals who struggle in this area. Given the right tools, parents, educators, and others who work with this population can effectively structure the environment and teach strategic thinking skills that will support the critical life skills of flexibility, leveled emotionality, impulse control, planning, and problem solving.
Industry Reviews
"As a physician, I am always in search of information on how to reduce the effects of autism from a biochemical perspective. In addition, as the father of two sons on the spectrum, I rely on practical strategies that help them to navigate their daily lives. FLIPP the Switch is just that type of practical help. It is straightforward, easy to use." -- Dwayne Cox, MD, anesthesiologist, and father of two on the spectrum "Dwayne Cox, MD, anesthesiologist, and father of two on the spectrum"
"As educators, we all want to help our students develop their ability to make decisions, self-regulate, and process emotions in healthy ways. But what does this look like in a busy classroom? This invaluable book transforms theories about executive function into solid classroom strategies." -- Nancy Frey, PhD, professor of educational leadership, San Diego State University "Nancy Frey, PhD, professor of educational leadership, San Diego State University"
"From the Table of Contents to the end of the book, some of the most important questions that parents and caregivers need answered are right there, easy to access. As a mother of two sons on the spectrum, I am always searching for ways to reach, teach, and support my kids. FLIPP the Switch addresses a major challenge for these kids." -- Naomi M. Cox, mother of two sons with autism, advocate, co-founder, S.T.E.P.S. Youth Center "Naomi M. Cox, mother of two sons with autism, advocate, co-founder, S.T.E.P.S. Youth Center"
"Good executive functioning (EF) is critical for positive social relationships, as well as academic and work skills. It is important these skills be taught when lagging. This book is a terrific go-to resource for this. The authors present a concise overview of EF and a variety of strategies for core EF deficits, making this book a 'must have'." -- Lauren Franke, PsyD, CCC-SLP, instructor, and author of Coaching Comprehension-Creating Conversation "Lauren Franke, PsyD, CCC-SLP, instructor, and author of Coaching Comprehension-Creating Conversation: Nurturing Narratives"
"Readers will find clear descriptions of problems they will recognize - including self-regulation, impulse control, and difficulty linking behavior to its effects and specific activities they can implement to help individuals with EF difficulties to cope and improve. I predict this book will spend very little time sitting on a shelf." -- Rollanda E. O'Connor, PhD, professor and Eady/Hendrick chair in Learning Disabilities, University of "Rollanda E. O'Connor, PhD, professor and Eady/Hendrick chair in Learning Disabilities, University of California, Riverside, and author of Teaching Word Recognition, The Handbook of Reading Interventio"
