How to Get Students With Autism and Executive Functioning Challenges to Start Work (Without Repeating Directions 50 Times) If you teach upper elementary or middle school students with autism, emotional disorders, or executive functioning challenges, you’ve probably experienced this: you give instructions, and… nothing. Students stare blankly, fidget, or completely disengage. You repeat yourself. And repeat yourself. And repeat yourself. By now, you’re exhausted—and the lesson hasn’t even started. The good news? It doesn’t have to be this way. With simple systems and routines, you can help students start work independently—without constant reminders or frustration. Why Students Don’t Start Work Before we jump into solutions, it helps to understand the why: Executive Functioning Challenges Many students struggle with task initiation—the ability to start a task independently. They might know what to do, but organizing their thoughts, materials, and steps feels overwhelming. Dysregula...