Books for Professionals, Parents, and Kids to Find Strategies to Improve Executive Functions

(This is a comprehensive list of books about executive functions, learning, technology, and brain training. Many of them are primarily for professionals, those that are more for parents and non-professionals have an * next to them.)

Executive Functions

*Goldberg, Elkhonon, Ph.D. The Executive Brain: Frontal Lobes and the Civilized Mind. Oxford University Press. New York, 2001.

Richard, Gail J. and Jill K. Fahy. The Source for Development of Executive Functions. LinguiSystems, Inc. East Moline, Illinois, 2005.

Zelazo, Philip David et al. the Development of Executive Function in Early Childhood. Monographs of the Society for Research in Child Development. Serial No. 274, Vol. 68, No. 3, 2003.

 

Digital Technologies and Learning

*Gee, James Paul. What Video Games Have to Teach Us About Learning and Literacy. Palgrave Macmillan, 2004.

Jenkins, Henry. Convergence Culture. NYU Press, 2006.

*Johnson, Steven. Everything Bad Is Good for You. Riverhead Hardcover, 2005.

*Prensky, Marc. Don’t Bother Me Mom – – I’m Learning!. Paragon House Puslishers, 2006.

Shaffer, David Williamson. How Computer Games Help Children Learn. Palgrave Macmillan, 2006.

 

Alternative Learners

*Armstrong, Thomas. In Their Own Way: Discovering and Encouraging Your Child’s Multiple Intelligences. New York, New York: Tarcher Books, 2000.

*Attwood, Tony. Asperger’s Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals. London: Jessica Kingsley.

Barkley, Russell A., Ph.D. Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Handbook for Diagnosis and Treatment. Third edition. The Guilford Press. New York, 2006.

*Bellis, Teri J. When the Brain Can’t Hear: Unraveling the Mystery of Auditory Processing Disorder. New York, New York: Atria Books, 2002.

Brown, Thomas E., Ph.D. Attention Deficit Disorder: The Unfocused Mind in Children and Adults. Yale University Press. New Haven, 2005.

Gardner, Howard. Multiple Intelligences: New Horizons. New York, New York: Perseus Books, 2006.

Ingersoll, Barbara D. and Sam Goldstein. Lonely, Sad, and Angry. Plantation, Florida: Specialty Press, Incl, 2001.

*Ingersoll, Barbara. Daredevils and Daydreamers. New York, New York: Broadway Books, 2003.

Kranowitz, Carol S. the Out-of-Sync Child: Recognizing and Coping with Sensory Processing Disorder. Revised edition. New York, New York: Perigree Books, 2006.

Levine, Mel. A Mind at a Time. New York, New York: Simon & Schuster, 2002.

*Marsh, Tracy L. Children with Tourette Syndrome: A Parents’ Guide. Rockville, Maryland: Woodbine House, 2007.

Shaywitz, Sally. Overcoming Dyslexia: A New and Complete Science-Based Program for Reading Problems at Any Level. New York, New York: Borzoi Books, 2003.

Silver, Larry. The Misunderstood Child: Understanding and Coping with Your Child’s Learning Disabilities. Fourth edition. New York, New York: Three Rivers Press, 2006.

*Tanguay, Pamela. Nonverbal Learning Disabilities at Home: A Parent’s Guide. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2001.

 

Parenting and Executive Functions

*Bloomquist, Michael L. Skills Training for Children with Behavior Problems. Revised Edition: A Parent and Practitioner Guidebook. New York, New York: The Guilford Press, 2005.

Elias, Maurice J., Steven E. Tobias, and Brian S. Friedlander. Emotionally Intelligent Parenting: How to Raise a Self-Disciplined, Responsible, Socially Skilled Child. New York, New York:  Three Rivers Press, 2000.

*Gottman, John and Joan Declaire. Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child. New York, New York: Simon & Schuster, 1998.

*Shapiro, Lawrence E. How to Raise a Child with a High EQ: A Parents’ Guide to Emotional Intelligence. New York, New York: Harper Collins, Inc., 1998. 

*Zentall, Sydney and Sam Goldstein. Seven Steps to Homework Success: A Family Guide to Solving Common Homework problems. Plantation, Florida: Specialty Press, 1998.

 

Executive Functions and Education

Dawson, Peg and Richard Guare. Executive Skills in Children and Adolescents: A practical Guide to Assessment and Intervention. The Guilford Press. New York, 2004. 

Meltzer, Lynn, ed. Executive Function in Education: From Theory to Practice. The Guildford Press. New York, 2007.

 

Kids’ Books to Help Executive Functioning (These books are written for kids to read)

Armstrong, Thomas. You’re Smarter Than You Think: A Kid’s Guide to Multiple Intelligences. Minneapolis, Maryland: Free Spirit, 2002.

Fox, Janet S. and Pamela Espeland. Get Organized without Losing It. Minneapolis, Minnesota: Free Spirit, 2006.

Huebner, Dawn. What to Do When You Worry Too Much: A Kid’s Guide to Overcoming Anxiety. Washington, D.C.: Magination press, 2005.

Nadeau, Kathleen G. and Ellen B. Dixon. Learning to Slow Down & Pay Attention: A Book for Kids about ADHD. Washington, D.C.: Magination Press, 2004.

Parker, Harvey C. Problem Solver Guide for Students with ADHD. North Branch, MN: Specialty Press, 2001.

Quinn, Patricia O., ed. 50 Activities and Games for Kids with ADHD. Washington, D.C.: Magination Press, 2000.

Robb, Diane B. The Alphabet War: A Story about Dyslexia. Morton Grove, Illinois: Albert Whitman & Company, 2004.

Stern, Judith M. and Uzi Ben-Ami. Many Ways to Learn: Young People’s Guide to Learning Disabilities. Washington, D.C.: Magination press, 1996.

 

Brain Challenges, Mazes, and Other fun Books for Executive Functions (These are puzzles and problem solving books for kids and adults)

Dispezio, Michael A. Critical Thinking Puzzles. New York, New York: Sterling, 1996. Ages 9 and up.

Gardner, Martin. Perplexing Puzzles and Tantalizing Teasers. Mineola, New York: Dover Publications, 1988.

Kawashima, Ryuta. Train Your Brain. 60 Days to a Better Brain. Ryuta Kawashima/Kumon Publishing Co., 2005.

Kumon. My First Book of Mazes.  Kumon Publishing Co., 2004. Ages 3-6.

O’Hare, Jeffrey A. The Best of Puzzlemania Mazes. Boyds Mills Press, 2001. Ages 5 and up.

Risby, Bonnie. Logic Countdown. Grades 3-4. Dandy Lion Publications, 1987. Ages 8 and up.

Schwartz, Linda. Following Directions. Grades 5-6. Creative Teaching Press, 2004. Ages 10 and up.

Sloane, Paul. Lateral Thinking Puzzles. New York, New York: Sterling, 1992. Ages 9 and up.

Weber, Ken. More Five-Minute Mysteries. Philadelphia, PA: running press, 2005.

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