72: SLPs Role with Executive Functioning with Kate Melillo

What does executive functioning have to do with speech-language pathology?   SLPs are able to work on many skills under the executive function umbrella including task initiation, focus, time management, working memory, task completion, organization, self-regulation, and more.    Although it is a newer topic in our field, we are able to work with students with executive functioning challenges to accomplish various tasks and achieve goals. Kate Melillo is joining me in this episode to break all of this down!   Kate obtained her Master of Education degree in Communication Disorders with a focus on pragmatic language. Prior to earning this degree, Kate spent time as a pragmatic skills researcher, helping to design web-based programs and resources for neurodiverse individuals to learn different types of pragmatic skills, workplace skills, and transition skills. She was also a preschool and kindergarten teacher in the US and abroad. Kate has worked in the clinical speech and language field with a wide range of children from infancy to young adulthood, as well as older adults.    Kate’s passion is teaching her students and families about navigating the social world using a neurodiverse perspective. In a fast-paced world of social media and screens, she believes that now more than ever families can use every opportunity necessary to connect face-to-face in a way that they choose.   We cover various examples of executive functioning challenges, why SLPs teach self-advocacy and pragmatic skills rather than just social skills, how assessment is handled for executive functioning challenges, the importance of teaching students self-advocacy and so much more!   If you are interested in how you can help your students (especially the older ones) with their executive functioning skills, tune in!   Full show notes available at www.speechtimefun.com/72   Resources Mentioned: Speechretreat.com www.beaproblemsolverservices.com 6 Ways to Help Your Tween/Teen Build Independence Be a Problem Solver Podcast https://www.instagram.com/beaproblemsolver https://www.facebook.com/beaproblemsolver   Where We Can Connect:  Subscribe to the Podcast Follow Hallie on Instagram  Follow Hallie on Facebook Follow Hallie on PinterestSubscribe today and get access to my secret podcast filled with my juicy secrets for planning with ease for secondary speech students. 6 quick episodes that you can quickly listen to and feel refreshed and inspired! https://speechtimefun.com/secondarysecrets