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Business owner Melinda Dombrowski, B.S. Special Education and M.S. Elementary Education, has worked in the field of Special Education for over 25 years. She has taught a variety of individuals with learning needs, including those with ADHD, ADD, Autism, Specific Learning Disability, Dyslexia, Non-verbal Learning Disability, Emotional Disturbance, and Executive Functioning issues. As an educator in both private and public schools, she has taught all academic areas. Her specific areas of expertise are language arts, writing, and literacy.
Outside of the classroom, Melinda has successfully prepared students for the reading and writing portions of the SAT, tutored struggling students in academic subjects, and provided coaching for students with executive functioning issues. She has also worked with adults as a TEAM mentor for beginning teachers, a tutor preparing adults to take the GED and PRAXIS assessments, and an instructor providing in-services for paraprofessionals.
Melinda understands that education is a dialogue and hopes to share this with her students.
― Robert Frost
"My son got an A on his science midterm and a B on his language arts midterm and passed his two most difficult classes. A major miracle thanks to you!!!"
—Liz mom of Sean (9th grade)
"As a professional, with English as my second language, going over vocabulary and strategies for answering reading comprehension questions with Melinda, helped me pass my PRAXIS. Thank you!!"
—Claudia - Social Worker and Educator
“Xavier began working with Melinda and on his next report card, he had improved in all areas. Melinda also wrote a letter to school personnel recommending additional testing for Xavier. After the school completed the testing, Xavier began to receive the occupational therapy and speech services.”
—Sharon, grandmother of Xavier (2nd grade)
15% off our regular session price - $64 per session - $256 per month
Tuesday August 20th 2:00-3:00
Thursday August 22nd 2:00-3:00
At On Point Education Services we believe education should….
Executive Functioning Issues
What Does That Mean?
You have been told you have issues with executive functioning. What does that mean? Executive functioning is described as the ability to manage oneself and one’s surroundings such that a goal can be accomplished or work can get done. The keyword here being manage. When a person has difficulty completing such tasks due of problems with self-regulation, organization, flexibility, task initiation, time management, and self-control, they are said to have executive functioning issues otherwise known as executive dysfunction. Executive Functioning issues tend to piggyback other learning disabilities such as ADD/ADHD or LD with an onset at or after puberty. Although Executive Dysfunction is neurologically-based, it is not a specific disorder under DSM-5 but instead considered as symptoms present in many psychiatric disorders.
In fact, presenting individuals may not be fully aware of the symptoms; however, they are definitely aware of the outcomes. For example, a student realizes he is flunking math, but doesn’t understand the role time management, organization, working memory, or task initiation play to produce the ‘F’. An adult frustrated because the bills are piling up, doesn’t see the importance of planning, time management and perseverance. Other examples include, the man who wants to lose weight but doesn’t go to the gym, diet, or have a goal or the woman who wants a new job but will only work within 5 miles of her home. Individuals with executive functioning issues are aware of their failings, but are unaware or unable to adapt necessary strategies to improve the situation.
There are approximately 12 areas of weakness associated with executive dysfunction. These areas include: planning, organization, task initiation, time management, working memory, self-control, flexibility, and perseverance. For each of these areas of weakness there are known and successful strategies for improvement. In order to improve, individuals need help from others. Frequently no time is provided in school for students to work on these strategies and adults with executive dysfunction, who have not learned life changing strategies have few resources available to them without an additional diagnosis.
However, with guidance or support from a friend or family member, some effective strategies can be easily implemented and immensely helpful for individuals with executive functioning issues. The first step is forming a goal. Once the goal is set it needs to be placed in a prominent location such as on the refrigerator or bathroom mirror. The goal can be simple, but must be specific such as walk to the mailbox or pay the rent Thursday. Adding notifications on your phone as a prompt to complete the task is also helpful: “It’s 7:00, time to do homework.” or “It’s 7:00. Is your homework finished?” The calendar on your phone can also be a great tool to help individuals remember important family birthdays and events as they work toward their goals. To help with task initiation, place signs with the words “What should I be doing right now.? in strategic locations around the house such as next to the bed or by the television. This can provide an impetus to get something done. Writing specific tasks on sticky notes is also helpful.
Many additional strategies are available to individuals with EFD each focusing on the specific needs of the individual and exploring the internet is a great place to begin learning. I’ve include a link to help you begin your journey. ADDitude Magazine
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Located on the Windsor- Bloomfield line (exit 37 off Rt. 91) and serving Greater Hartford County