Attention & Executive Functioning in Action: Comparing AT Tools to Support Focus Across Settings

Presenter(s)

Event Details

Topic:

accessibility & UDL

Format:

hands-on session (participant-provided devices)

Subject Level:

intermediate

Age Span:

kindergarten - grade 6
grades 7-12
N/A

Target Audience:

AT specialist
consultant
educator
special educator

Professional Development Credits

IACET CEUs:

0.01

ACVREP CEs:

1

Presentation Length: 1 hour

Location:

Edina

Description:

This session will introduce attention as a key component of executive functioning and explore how challenges with focus, distraction, and multitasking affect student learning and behavior. Participants will review the Attention Hierarchy and learn to recognize common signs of difficulty with sustained, selective, alternating, and divided attention. Practical demonstrations will include accessible tools such as timers, visual supports, Chrome extensions, iOS features, and simple environmental adjustments. Through guided case examples, attendees will practice matching attention needs to appropriate supports and identifying basic performance indicators. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of attention challenges and practical strategies to begin supporting focus and independence across settings.

Learning Outcomes:

As a result of this activity, participants will be able to:

• Define and differentiate at least three levels of the Attention Hierarchy (focused, sustained, selective, alternating, divided) and identify one observable indicator of difficulty for each.

• Compare the features of at least three assistive technology tools that support attention and determine which tool characteristics align with specific attention challenges.

• Develop a basic implementation plan using the Attention Support Matrix that includes at least two measurable performance indicators to monitor student progress.

Disclosures:

Cassie receives: Salary as owner of Disruptive Teaching LLC, dba Innov-AT; Compensation for trainings provided for LessonPix LLC; Compensation for trainings provided for districts and organizations; Honorarium for conference presentations.