$139.00
Sarah Ward, M.S., CCC-SLP – *Available April 1 – April 30, 2025* Join us for this 3 hour on-demand course as Sarah offers an executive-function-focused approach to teaching students how to develop effective physical and digital organization habits independently.
- Description
- Additional Course Information
- Speaker
- Objectives
- Schedule
- Professional Development Offerings
Times are changing in education. On one hand, classrooms are moving away from paper, with students managing assignments, homework, and reading materials online. Now, assignments are posted digitally rather than written down, and work is submitted online instead of being physically handed in. On the other hand, there is also a push for students to use fewer devices in the classroom, favoring physical materials instead. Yet, cluttered desks, misplaced items, loose papers, and missing books can make it difficult for students to find what they need quickly and stay engaged in their work. Disorganization can make it challenging for students to access their books and materials between classes.
Similarly, a student’s study space at school or home may be cluttered with distractions, making it harder to focus and complete assignments efficiently. While physical disorganization is easy to spot, these issues often mirror what’s happening digitally.
In this lecture, Sarah will offer an executive-function-focused approach to teaching students how to develop effective physical and digital organization habits independently. Lecture, powerpoint and case examples will be shared.
Who should attend?
Special educators, Speech Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, General Educators, Academic Coaches, ADHD coaches, Psychologists and anyone supporting students with executive function support needs. This is an intermediate level course and no prerequisites are required. Grade levels 5-12 and post-secondary.
This course will be available from April 1st - April 30th, 2025. Please note that each registration is for a single user. Account login and passwords are not permitted to be used by anyone other than the registered user.
Additional Course Information
Common Digital Disorganization:
Unsorted Digital Files: Files saved haphazardly on devices or cloud storage are hard to locate when needed.
Email Overload: An inbox full of unread or disorganized emails can lead to missed assignments, deadlines, and teacher communications.
Lack of Digital Calendars/Planners: Not using digital tools to track assignments, tests, and activities can result in forgotten or late submissions.
Scattered Notes and Assignments: Notes spread across multiple apps or devices make it difficult to review and consolidate information for studying.
Random File Naming: Students might name files vaguely, making it hard to identify contents later. Important files can be hard to retrieve because names don’t reflect what’s inside.
Cluttered Digital Spaces: Saving files directly to the desktop or downloads folder without using folders or subfolders creates a jumbled digital workspace.
Forgotten Locations: Files saved without logical organization make it easy to forget where they’re stored, making even search functions less effective.
Speaker
Sarah Ward, M.S., CCC-SLP
Sarah Ward, M.S., CCC/SLP has over 25 years of experience in the treatment of executive dysfunction. Sarah is an internationally recognized expert on executive function and presents seminars on the programs and strategies she has developed with her Co-Director Kristen Jacobsen. Their 360 Thinking Executive Function Program received the Innovative Promising Practices Award from the National Organization CHADD. She has presented to over 1800 public and private schools and organizations worldwide. In recognition of their global influence in the field of twice-exceptional learning, Sarah and Kristen Jacobsen were the honored recipients of the Nancy Tarshis Legacy Fellowship Award. Further solidifying their status as eminent figures in their field, Sarah and Kristen were named one of the Top 10 Professional Development Providers for 2023 by Education Technology Insights Magazine.
Disclosure: Sarah Ward’s company Cognitive Connections produces and sells products on her website, which are tools, that support students in developing an internal sense of time. Some of these materials will be referenced in the presentation. Many of these materials can also be purchased at local stores. The website also sells treatment programs and games to develop independent executive function skills. In addition, the website offers many free resources and references. Sarah Ward receives a speaker’s fee for presentations. There are no non-financial relationship to disclose.
Objectives
- Identify key executive function challenges—such as sustained attention, working memory, and flexible thinking—that hinder students’ ability to maintain organized physical and digital spaces, exploring how these challenges can be managed through learning the HOW and not just a one size fits all system.
- Demonstrate actionable, step-by-step routines for establishing sustainable organizational habits in both physical and digital environments, focusing on the process of internalizing the organizational skill as regular, self-directed practices rather than one-time solutions.
- Develop personalized strategies with students to structure their digital and physical spaces, guiding them through the processes and how of file naming, folder organization, and planner usage to make these actions automatic and supportive of working memory and task management.
- Apply executive function skills, such as selective attention and prioritization, to manage email overload and digital clutter, teaching students practical routines to filter, sort, and sustain focus on essential information for effective time management.
- Support educators and families in fostering students’ self-monitoring and self-reflection skills, providing a gradual roadmap to help students internalize responsibility for their organization, and turning strategies into sustainable routines that foster independence.
Schedule
15 minutes : Understanding executive function skills and how it impacts physical and digital organization
- Common struggles: cluttered desks, misplaced materials, missing books, etc.
- Discussion: Observing patterns in physical disorganization and its impact on engagement and focus.
70 minutes : Tips – Creating sustainable physical organization routines
85 minutes : Tackling Digital Disorganization
- Key digital challenges: unsorted files, email overload, scattered notes, cluttered desktops.
- Strategies: File naming conventions, folder structures, and digital planner/calendar use.
- Activity: Develop a personalized routine for physical or digital organization.
10 minutes : Wrap-Up
Professional Development Offerings
ASHA CEUs
This course is offered for .3 ASHA CEUs (Intermediate level; professional area). Full attendance, a passing score of 80% on the course exam and a completed evaluation are required for satisfactory completion of ASHA CEUs.
CERTIFICATE OF ATTENDANCE
3.0 hours for the day is available. Full attendance, a passing score of 80% on the post test and a course evaluation are required for satisfactory completion of the course.
NBCC
AEP Connections, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider ACEP No. 7173. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. AEP Connections, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
NBCC clock hours available: 3
NASP
AEP Connections is approved by the National Association of School Psychologists to offer continuing education for school psychologists. AEP Connections maintains responsibility for the program. NASP Approved Provider #1165. A code to access the course evaluation will be provided in segments throughout the webinar, to ensure full participation. Full attendance, a passing score of 80% on the post test, and a course evaluation are required for satisfactory completion. This course is offered for 3 credits/hours.
AOTA
AEP Connections, LLC is an AOTA Approved Provider of professional development. Course approval ID 11493. This distance learning – interactive is offered for up to .3 CEUs (3.0 contact hours). Intermediate, OT Service Delivery. AOTA does not endorse specific course content, products, or clinical procedures. A course evaluation and an 80% on the post test is required for satisfactory completion.
ASWB
AEP Connections, LLC, #1332, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 1/27/2025- 1/27/2028. Social workers completing this course receive 3 continuing education credits. Full attendance, a course evaluation and an additional post test is required for satisfactory completion.