Welcome to Practical Supports That Actually Help – a lesson about scaffolds that make learning more accessible, not more remedial.

When students struggle with executive functioning, the problem isn’t laziness or defiance – it’s overwhelm, uncertainty, or missing tools. This session focuses on what we can do about that: small, practical, low-stigma supports that help students start, stay with, and succeed at tasks.

In this lesson, you’ll explore:

• Visual cues and tools that reduce cognitive load
• Ways to scaffold tasks so students don’t get stuck before they begin
• Simple strategies to promote independence without shame
• How to normalise support so no one feels singled out

These aren’t “extras” for a few students. They’re essentials that can benefit everyone.

Once you’ve watched the video, download the companion notes below. You’ll find real-life examples, tools you can trial tomorrow, and thoughtful reflection prompts to help you embed inclusive scaffolding into your everyday practice.

Pay attention to what sparks a “yes” – a checklist, a timer, a visual sequence. Start small. Build slowly. You’re creating bridges, not barriers.

Before you move on, take a moment to reflect:

What’s one student behaviour you’ve found challenging – and what scaffold could help make that behaviour more manageable, not more mysterious?

Scaffolds don’t lower the bar. They build the steps to reach it. And when you offer them to every student – without fanfare, without stigma – you’re not just supporting learning. You’re making inclusion real.