Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my child struggles with “Executive Function”?
Grade problems: Your child’s grades do not reflect their ability or “potential.”
Homework problems: Missing work, late work, incomplete assignments, zeros, forgets to turn in work, loses homework, forgets what the homework is, no name, takes forever to complete work, often poor quality and rushed.
Planning problems: Don’t use a planners effectively to track schoolwork or other responsibilities. Hate planners, lose them, forget them, think they don’t need them.
Preparation problems: Often unprepared and late for class or other events. Takes a long time to get going.
Motivation problems: Trouble self-starting, procrastinate, appear unmotivated, don’t know where or how to start.
Time management problems: An unrealistic perception of how much time and energy is needed for homework, studying, chores, responsibilities, getting out of the house in the morning, etc.. Wait until the last minute with important deadlines or miss them altogether.
Attention problems: Can’t focus or concentrate on one thing to completion, gets off task, derailed, easily distracted.
Takes-a-long-time problems: Because of habits that waste time and because of processing issues, these kids can take a very long time to do schoolwork (as well as taking care of other responsibilities).
Resist your help. Resist most help.
Problems reflecting accurately: Unrealistic perception of how they are doing in school. These students don’t understand their challenges well enough to know what to do about them.
Get behind in school and the vicious cycle gets a bit worse with each passing semester.
They have excellent excuses, know how to wear you down.
Advocacy problems: Do not self-advocate effectively, don’t ask teachers for help early enough or at all.
Overwhelmed by the demands of school, leading to denial or anxiety about school, and avoid dealing with it effectively.
They often want to do well and have great intentions but don’t have the skills.
Often remarkably bright, have tremendous talents, gifts, passions and skills in high-interest areas (which often are not appreciated in traditional schools).
May be diagnosed with ADHD, ASD, Dyslexia, processing issues, or another diagnosis. Many have no diagnosis whatsoever.