These days, most parents are familiar with neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism and ADHD. However, there’s another condition with the potential to impact your child’s performance and achievements both in and out of the classroom, and it affects up to 89 percent of students with ADHD. Executive function disorder refers to a condition that impacts the key cognitive functions that enable us to set and achieve goals while managing our impulses and emotions.
If your child struggles with executive dysfunction, they may have trouble with a wide range of tasks, from taking notes in class and completing their homework on schedule to doing their assigned chores at home. In many cases, the end result is that your child experiences more stress and anxiety on a daily basis while failing to live up to their potential.
While executive function disorder can have a negative effect on your child’s life and self-esteem, the good news is that you can take steps to help them build key self-regulating skills and confidence. Keep reading to discover the top 10 signs your child would benefit from executive function coaching, along with tips on getting started:
Signs a Child May Have Executive Function Issues
1. Your child has trouble engaging with tasks they find uninteresting.
- We all tend to perk up when the subject turns to topics we find engaging. However, kids with executive function disorder have an especially hard time paying attention when the task doesn’t interest or appeal to them.
2. Your child struggles to get started on homework or other assignments.
- If your child has a habit of saying they’ll do their homework when they feel ready and then waiting until 10 PM to get started, they might need coaching in this area.
3. Your child lacks organizational skills.
- Does your child struggle to keep their backpack or desk tidy and organized? Students with executive function issues may also have a hard time tracking important dates or finishing tasks on schedule.
4. Your child takes longer than average to perform everyday tasks.
- Kids with executive function disorder may take longer to complete tasks like emptying the dishwasher, cleaning their room, or even getting dressed for school because they get distracted.
5. Your child regularly loses homework, toys, or other personal items.
- Losing important items or forgetting school supplies at home can be a sign that your child would benefit from coaching.
6. Your child has trouble following multi-step directions.
- Kids with executive function issues may struggle to remember all the steps necessary to complete a given task.
7. Your child struggles to determine where to start a task.
- The decision-making process can be overwhelming for students with executive function issues. Moreover, they often change their approach midway through a task, so they feel exhausted and stressed long before the assignment is completed.
8. Your child has trouble completing all the parts of a given task or assignment.
- If children struggle with planning and organization, they may miss essential parts of a task. The end result is that they go to school with only part of an assignment or fail to review all the material required for a test.
9. Your child struggles to remember homework assignments and test dates.
- While schools often encourage the use of planners, they don’t necessarily show students how best to note important dates and assignments. Students with executive function issues may be overwhelmed by the process of scheduling tasks.
10. Your child has expressed anxious feelings about school.
- Students with executive function issues often develop feelings of anxiety, depression, and stress. In some cases, they may tune out in class or act out at school or home.
How to Help Kids With Executive Function Issues
Executive function coaches have the knowledge and experience to help students boost both their academic performance and overall confidence. The goal is to develop a set of strategies that complement your child’s unique talents and learning style while helping them overcome common weaknesses. To that end, coaches may instruct students in how to break big assignments into smaller tasks, use planners to track long projects, and employ checklists to boost satisfaction. They may also provide encouragement and suggest rewards designed to motivate students to do their best.
Working with a coach, your child will improve their time management skills, grow their working memory, and boost their capacity to shift gears efficiently. In the long run, these skills will benefit your child both in their school life and at home, setting them up for a bright future with less stress and anxiety.
Contact Prepped and Polished and www.executivefunctioncoaching.com today to learn more about our student-centered approach to executive function coaching.
