Support Navigator HandoutSupport Navigator Executive Function Toolkit Accommodations for Rigidity & Task Completion Student Name: Review Date: Navigating Rigidity Strategies for managing transitions and unexpected changes. Visual Preview Provide a "daily map" every morning. Verbally and visually highlight any shifts from the usual routine before they happen. "Change Alert" Cards Use a specific visual cue (like a yellow star) on the schedule to signal a "surprise" or "one-time" change to reduce anxiety. Transition Warnings Use a visual timer for transitions. Give specific tasks for the transition (e.g., "In 2 mins, we close the blue folder"). Flexibility Practice Introduce "tiny changes" in low-stakes moments (e.g., a different chair for 5 mins) to build "flexibility muscles." Behavioral Roadmap Tools for following expectations and social norms. Social Narratives Read short scripts before specific activities that outline exactly what "doing my best" looks like in that setting. Expected vs. Unexpected Frame feedback as "expected for this setting" rather than "good/bad." Use visual icons for specific expected behaviors. Visual If-Then Boards Provide a clear "If I follow X, Then I get Y" visual board. Ensure the "Then" is immediate and highly motivating. Quiet Cueing Use a non-verbal hand signal or a sticky note on the desk to prompt behavior instead of calling out in front of peers. Must-Do Mastery Strategies for task initiation and completion. Must-Do / May-Do Divide the workspace. Once the "Must-Do" (essential task) is checked, the "May-Do" (choice activity) is unlocked. Task Chunking Cover part of the page or fold it. Give 3 problems, then a brief "brain break," then the next 3 to prevent overwhelm. Choice of Method Provide choice in how to complete a must-do: "Do you want to write with a pencil or type on the tablet?" Definition of "Done" Provide a clear exit checklist: 1. Name on paper? 2. All blanks filled? 3. Paper in bin? Clear ends reduce anxiety. Implementation Guide The Golden Rule Rigidity is often a response to anxiety or unpredictability. Instead of demanding compliance, provide clarity. The more a student knows exactly what comes next, the more cognitive energy they have for flexibility. Engagement Tips Limit verbal instructions to 10 words or less. Wait 10 seconds for processing before repeating. Catch them "being flexible" and praise it immediately. Observation Notes & Adjustments Use this space to track which strategies were most effective.
