Executive function skills are the roots of success | Stephanie Carlson | TEDxMinneapolis

Executive function skills are the brain-based processes we use to control our thoughts, actions and feelings. They predict achievement and well-being, and we can nurture them in children starting in infancy. This talk uses a simple tree metaphor to demonstrate how we can tend to reflection and executive function skills in early childhood from the roots up, setting all children up for success.
Filmed September 20th, 2020 at Mia in Minneapolis. Dr. Stephanie M. Carlson is a Distinguished McKnight University Professor at the Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota, and is Co-founder and Chief Science Officer at Reflection Sciences, Inc. Dr. Carlson is an internationally recognized leader in the study of executive function (brain basis of self-control) and her current research focuses on ways to help promote executive function through reflective practices in play, parenting, and preschool curricula. She has been an advisor to Sesame Workshop, Understood.org, Noggin, Bright Horizons Family Solutions, and Minnesota Children’s Museum. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@ThongNguyen-qe7jp]

7:06 - "Owning it is needed before controlling it... giving children autonomy with just enough support gives them a sense of agency over their own actions - the very same actions we're expecting them to learn to control on their own"

[@WaseemYusuf]

ADHD people watching this like: 😢😢😢😢 RIP

[@hollybentley7505]

Yeah :(

[@jmwdoc7754]

@@hollybentley7505 so sad!!!

[@stephencarlsbad]

ADHD warriors need to take L tyrosine for executive functioning. Skills do almost nothing because EF is a neuro-chemical problem, not a behavioural problem. Just before bed, use L carnosine to correct circadian rhythm, get deep sleep, lower needed sleep hours and replenish neurotransmitters for the following day. You'll see huge improvements from just the improved sleep alone.

[@nucleus3733]

Yeah, man

[@brawndo8726]

I remember Dr Gabor Mate suggest ADHD is always linked to a traumatic childhood. The "toxic stress" environment described in this video. His explanation is that an infant faced with uncontrollable stimulus essentially switches off as a coping mechanism. Distractions serve as positive escapes from negative situations. I believe he describes neglect as a trauma requiring escape, so it's not necessarily an overtly abusive or hostile environment, but rather one that fails to attend to the needs of the child when under stress.

[@ALMPLS]

I feel like I heard the words "executive function" a lot but never quite knew what it meant - until now. I won't forget the tree metaphor!

[@megansteffer2352]

It's encouraging to hear that executive function skills seem to be increasing in recent years. I look forward to more research in this area! So much to learn.

[@liannebecker2023]

Executive function skills, actually the lack of, are also an important consideration when looking at some of the symptoms of ADHD. Impulsivity, lack of organization, time management, etc. are executive function skills that kids (and adults) with ADHD really struggle with. It would be interesting to learn how to improve these skills for older kids and adults as well.

[@lesliepalmerross6302]

Very true and an excellent suggestion.

[@stephencarlsbad]

Take L tyrosine for executive functioning. Skills do almost nothing because EF is a neuro-chemical problem, not a behavioural problem. Just before bed, use L carnosine to correct circadian rhythm, get deep sleep, lower needed sleep hours and replenish neurotransmitters for the following day.

[@Jeep-vd6pd]

@@stephencarlsbad do you take any other things? Besides those two?

[@thisisntallowed9560]

I heard there are some types of mediations that can train executive function

[@alunflynn469]

The work of Stephanie Carlson & Phillip Zelazzo is awesome. Thanks for your contribution.

[@adamsmith3090]

Brilliant Talk. Thank you!!!

[@trollingisasport]

I feel like im doing the marshmallow test and failing every day

[@mohansinghraghuvanshi8842]

Hello

[@mmohseni69]

Absolutely love the explanation thank you for so much passion to create it like this easy to understand ❤️☀️🙏

[@jordaneliza3753]

Damning news for ADHD brains

[@iya.louisse]

How can I, a person with ADHD, succeed, then?

[@Katherine-ep3ms]

I wish this talk told us how to do better…for me and my kids

[@romanmanuel9001]

I guess i’m out of luck. I didn’t get any quality “sun or rich soil” growing up. Only “pests & storms”

[@igor-yp1xv]

The sculpture right at 6:57, is that a Brancusi?

[@pierre-alexandreolivier-fi1903]

So she mean that there is no hope for Persons with a Executive functioning disorder that cant be trained out of? (28 years old struggling to keep a job talking here)

[@yul.ansgt.17]

The ableist world is so close to being fascist; and when the problem is individualized it makes you a failure; it is all your fault, difference is paid with blood.

[@MkayKaye]

I'm reluctant to even listen to this. I think neurodivergence is part of evolution and there is absolutely hope and community out there for you (and me). There is plenty of discussion and disagreement amongst scientists, clinicians and the like of what executive function means and what role it plays in society. There is no real consensus. Some may argue that it is simply a concept highly valued in industry and the role that value has played out in society and our environment has not always been beneficial.

[@ScarlettRose7221]

I dont even have patience to get thru this! 🤣 And why is it all of the Ted Talk speakers sound alike in their delivery?

[@eonryan8491]

6:20 7:50 11:13 = toxic stress weaken executive function

[@justbeegreen]

The executive function industry is exploding.

[@y_not]

What can we do as adults?

[@MeelisMatt]

rewire the way you think

[@januarioferiado]

Tired of all argumentation from so many topics being now based on the freaking marshmallow test