The Missing Piece in Reading Success: Executive Functioning | iReading Tutor

Dear iReading Tutor Families,

Last month, we took a close look inside Social Emotional Learning. We explored how social emotional growth and mental health impacts reading through, shared visuals and videos, and provided parent resources.

This month, we are shifting our focus to another critical piece of reading success — Executive Functioning.

As we move into this spring season—a time of growth, renewal, and fresh beginnings—we’re reminded of something important: progress matters.

We partner with families who are engaged and proactive, and we work with children who keep showing up and trying again, even when reading feels hard. Like the first buds pushing through after a long winter, we witness growth that unfolds not only in skills, but in confidence.

While reading is often thought of as a language skill, it’s also deeply connected to the brain’s management system—nurturing focus, flexibility, and resilience. And just like spring itself, that growth doesn’t happen overnight. It takes patience, support, and the right conditions to truly bloom.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any reading-related questions or needs. We’re here to support you at iReading Tutor.

Call or Text us at 561.418.6856

What Is Executive Functioning?

Executive functioning refers to a set of mental skills that act as the brain’s “management system.” These skills help us focus attention, remember and use information, manage time, plan and organize, control impulses, and shift between tasks. Together, they allow children to start a task, stay with it, and see it through—even when it feels challenging.

The graphic below highlights how executive functioning directly supports reading. Each section represents a skill children rely on when they read:

• Goal Setting: Understanding the purpose for reading

• Planning: Deciding how to approach a text

• Prioritizing: Focusing on the most important information

• Reflection: Thinking about and checking for understanding

• Flexibility: Trying new strategies when something feels challenging

• Organizing: Keeping ideas and information in order

Strong reading isn’t just about recognizing words—it also depends on how well these executive functioning skills work together. When one area is more difficult, reading can feel more effortful. With the right support, however, these skills can strengthen over time—helping children grow into more confident, capable readers.

How Executive Functioning Impacts Reading

Add text to your email.How Executive Functioning Impacts Reading

Reading is more than sounding out words. It requires students to:

• Hold sounds in memory while blending (working memory)

• Track words across a page (attention control)

• Notice when something does not make sense (self-monitoring)

• Break longer assignments into manageable parts (planning)

• Persist when text feels difficult (task initiation and stamina)

For students with dyslexia, ADHD, autism, or other learning differences, executive functioning demands can make reading feel even heavier. A child may know the skill but struggle to apply it consistently because their brain is working hard to manage attention, memory, and organization at the same time.

This is not laziness.It is cognitive load.

And we are lucky to understand that difference. When adults see the whole child — not just the behavior — everything changes. What This Looks Like in Real Life

You might notice your child:

• Avoiding reading tasks

• Losing their place frequently

• Forgetting multi-step directions

• Becoming overwhelmed by longer assignments

• Starting strong but fading quickly

These behaviors are often executive functioning challenges, not lack of ability.

We are lucky to be able to respond with strategy instead of frustration — with support instead of pressure.

How Executive Functioning Challenges May Show Up in Struggling Readers When executive functioning skills are still developing, reading challenges often show up in everyday moments at home. It may not always look like a “reading problem,” but more like difficulty managing the process around reading.

Here are some common ways it can look:

• Trouble getting started: Your child avoids reading, procrastinates, or says “I don’t know how” before even beginning.

• Losing focus quickly: They may get distracted, skip lines, or stop frequently while reading.

• Build stamina gradually

• Celebrate effort and strategy use — not just accuracy

When we strengthen executive functioning alongside decoding and spelling, students become more independent learners.

And we are lucky to watch that independence grow — week by week, skill by skill.

How You Can Support Executive Functioning at Home

Small adjustments can make a big difference:

• Use visual checklists for homework steps

• Break reading into short, timed intervals

• Encourage “pause and check” moments

• Model calm problem-solving language

• Celebrate persistence
  

Executive functioning skills develop over time. With practice, structure, and encouragement, they grow stronger — just like reading skills.

Children who struggle with executive functioning and find it hard to stay organized or complete tasks can benefit from visual charts.

Here’s are two sample visual chart you can use at home to help your child pack their backpack and lunch.

Visuals help by breaking tasks into clear steps, making it easier to stay organized, follow routines, and complete tasks independently. Visuals From: Integrated Learning Strategies

Family Resource Centre:

Watch, Read and Learn:

We’ve included a selection of videos and blog posts for you to explore, so you can continue learning more about executive functioning and how it supports reading development.

As always, please reach out to us at iReading Tutor. We are here to help and support you and your reader.

Executive Functioning

Multisensory, explicit, systematic, structured literacy — for anyone, anywhere!

Many of our iReading Tutor instructors are trained in Orton-Gillingham, Wilson Reading, or Barton Reading, and many hold CALT or CERI certifications. We are not just “tutors near me” you find on a quick Google search — we are highly specialized reading interventionists.

Your child will benefit from our expert tutors. Our team includes some of the most highly credentialed reading teachers in the United States and Canada, with experience teaching both online and in-person since 2015.

We provide research-based, structured literacy instruction tailored to your child’s unique learning needs. 

Information and tools designed to help parents learn about dyslexia, effective instruction, and ways to support learning at home.

What's New at iReading Tutor?

Join an iReading Tutor Book Club

Introducing an exciting new program that lets your child participate in a book club from the comfort of home!

We offer options in both fiction and nonfiction, so there’s a book club for every reader. Explore our selections below and find the perfect fit for your child!

iReading Tutors Virtual Book Clubs

Reach out for more information. We’d love to have your child join us!

Call or Text us at 561.418.6856

Important Information for Families Receiving the PEP, Unique Abilities, or Florida Empowerment Scholarships

Application Season Opened February 1

The application period for both new and returning students began on Sunday, February 1, 2026.

If you have any questions about these scholarship funds, please don’t hesitate to contact iReading Tutor for guidance.

Looking for Support? Connect with iReading Tutor, your go-to online experts for dyslexia and reading success!

Advocacy & IEP Support Services

At iReading Tutor, we provide advocacy and IEP support services to help ensure your child receives the services and accommodations they need.

Our services include:

• IEP meeting preparation

• Document review and guidance

• Attendance and support during meetings

• Ongoing advocacy assistance

We are also available to answer questions about scholarship options and can assist your family with scholarship preparation and next steps.

Our goal is to help you feel informed, prepared, and confident every step of the way.

iReading Tutor

Family Empowerment Scholarship

Unique Abilities Homeschooling Evaluation

Evaluation Fee: $75

This evaluation includes:

• A Zoom meeting to review your child’s current curriculum and academic progress

• Analysis of progress with instructional feedback and recommendations

• Completion and signing of required documentation verifying that your child is making progress commensurate with their abilities

• Compliance with your local public school district’s homeschooling requirements

• A formal overview of your child’s progress based on portfolio review and parent discussion, fulfilling the annual submission requirement

Important: This evaluation process differs from the requirements for PEP students. Students participating in PEP must complete approved norm-referenced diagnostic testing.

If you have questions about which requirement applies to your child, we are happy to help guide you.

PEERS® SOCIAL SKILLS PROGRAM

For 2nd–5th Graders

Empowering Social Confidence Through Connection

What is PEERS®?

Developed at UCLA, the PEERS® program is an evidence-based social skills training program for children with autism, ADHD, anxiety, or other social difficulties.

Parent-child participation is required — you’ll both learn skills that build friendships and communication for life.

Children are taught through modeling, role-playing, and real-life practice. Parents become social coaches outside of sessions.

Program Details

📆 14-week program

📆 90-minute weekly sessions

📆 Both child and caregiver attend together in separate groups for 45 min sessions each

📆 In-person or virtual format options

📆 Weekly practice assignments and coaching

Contact : iReading Tutor in care of Dr. Sharon Buchalter

Clinical Psychologist | Certified PEERS® Provider and colleagues

Exciting Opportunity for Texas Families!

The Parent-Directed Special Education Services (PDSES) program offers a one-time $1,500 online grant to parents or guardians of eligible students receiving special education services and enrolled in a Texas public school.

The application window for the 2025–2026 school year opens April 1, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. CST and closes April 30, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. CST.

Grant funds can be used to purchase approved educational materials and services through your online PDSES account, including:

Textbooks and curriculum

Technology devices

Services such as speech therapy, tutoring, and other specialized supports

At iReading Tutor, these funds can be applied toward our online tutoring services, helping your child strengthen reading and executive functioning skills.

Stay Updated with the iReading Tutor Newsletter!

Click the links below to access past editions of the iReading Tutor Newsletter, filled with resources, tips, and opportunities to support your child’s learning.

Social Emotional Learning; Supporting the Whole Child

How Parents Can Support Dyslexic Learners with an Online Tutor

Progress in Every Step: Supporting Your Child's Literacy Growth

Understanding the IEP Process: A Parent's Guide

What do I do if my child is struggling? ESE Overview and Dysgraphia

Developmental Language Disorder

Understanding Dyslexia and Structured Literacy

At iReading Tutor, we believe that knowledge is power. We hope this week’s newsletter has provided useful information and given you confidence as you support your child’s learning journey.

As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out or send us a message with any questions. We’re here to support you and help your child grow with confidence every step of the way.

Sincerely,

All of Us at iReading Tutor