Smart But Scattered: The Revolutionary "executive Skills" Approach to Helping Kids Reach Their Potential

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Guilford Press, Jan 1, 2009 - Psychology - 314 pages

Scientists who study child development have recently found that kids who are "smart but scattered" lack or lag behind in crucial executive skillsa "the core, brain-based habits of mind required to "execute" tasks like getting organized, staying focused, and controlling emotions. Drawing on this revolutionary discovery, school psychologist Peg Dawson and neuropsychologist Richard Guare have developed an innovative program that parents and teachers can use to strengthen kidsa (TM) abilities to plan ahead, be efficient, follow through, and get things done. Smart but Scattered provides ways to assess childrena (TM)s strengths and weaknesses and offers guidance on day-to-day issues like following instructions in the classroom, doing homework, completing chores, reducing performance anxiety, and staying cool under pressure. Small steps add up to big improvements, enabling these kids to build the skills they need to live up to their full potential. More than 40 reproducibles are included.

 

Contents

Introduction
1
What Makes Your Child Smart but Scattered
9
Laying a Foundation That Can Help
69
Putting It All Together
119
Resources
303
Index
310
About the Authors
314
Copyright

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About the author (2009)

Peg Dawson, EdD, is a staff psychologist at the Center for Learning and Attention Disorders, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Dr. Dawson is a past president of both the National Association of School Psychologists and the International School Psychology Association. She is a recipient of the National Association of School Psychologists' Lifetime Achievement Award.

Richard Guare, PhD, is a neuropsychologist and Director of the Center for Learning and Attention Disorders. His research and publications focus on understanding and treatment of learning and attention difficulties and neurological disorders. Board certified as a behavior analyst, Dr. Guare frequently consults to schools and agencies.

Drs. Dawson and Guare have over 30 years of experience working with children with learning, attention, and behavior difficulties. Together, they are the authors of Executive Skills in Children and Adolescents, a practical guide for school professionals.

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