|
|
Post by brookesmom on Feb 16, 2005 13:21:59 GMT -5
I have posted in the Medication section wondering about whether it is time to increase my dd meds. I have a conference set up tomorrow to meet with the school and then will discuss with my doctor.
My question is about Executive Dysfunction. Is there a specific test for this? We had an evaluation through school and she has an IEP but ED was never mentioned. What can you guys tell me about ED and could this be part of dd's ongoing battle with her ADD?
|
|
|
|
Post by Mayleng on Feb 16, 2005 13:40:57 GMT -5
A good book to read about executive dysfunction is "All Kinds of Minds" by Dr. Mel Levine. But for the short version, you might want to post your question at messageboard.schwablearning.org/schwab/board?board.id=11Lots of moms there with extraordinary knowlege. You might want to do a search on Executive Dysfunction. You might not want to use the term "ED" when talking about executive dysfunction because it could be mistaken for Emotional Disabilities which is a term they use for IEP classification - not a classification you want. |
|
|
|
Post by SharonF on Feb 16, 2005 16:22:28 GMT -5
Executive Function problems are very common in kids with any of the three ADHDs. There is no single test for EF, but our neuropsych used lots of different tests to determine our daughter's Executive Function capabilities.
Exec Function is basically one's ability to plan, organize, monitor, self-correct and follow through to completion any given task. Signs of poor EF can include no planning or a haphazard approach, lack of organization, inability to self-correct, acting impulsively, or giving up too easily. Some people call that "immaturity." But with ADHDers, I think it is more complex than just immaturity.
Nearly everyone has stronger and weaker areas of EF--and they learn to compensate for their weaker areas. Also, someone maybe very good at executive function when it comes to figuring out how to paint a room but weak when it comes to writing a research paper. However, if the same weaknesses show up--regardless of the type of task--that is considered an executive function weakness. ADHDers usually have more EF weaknesses than non-ADHDers, or their EF causes more problems in their lives than for non-ADHDers.
|
|
|
|
Post by theirmom on Feb 16, 2005 17:14:41 GMT -5
my youngest adhd son has executive functioning defficiencies. He is an A student but can't always remember to bring home homework. He usually is smart enough, and has absorbed enough to do the homework quickly or score well on the test but he can't get organized to save his life (or my sanity!). Anyway, the Ritalin has greatly helped him in this area.
|
|
|
|
Post by Mayleng on Feb 17, 2005 11:25:02 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by eaccae on Feb 17, 2005 11:35:56 GMT -5
DS has Executive Dysfunction. Most ADHDers have it to a certain extent - as it is a frontal lobe process. As Sharon wrote - Executive Dysfunction is a processing issue with organizing and executing that often manifests itself in complex writing (content), math equations, organizational skills . . . DS has problems with the writing aspect - put that together with his dysgraphia and there is a real problem. We are currently in the process of trying to figure out what accomodations he needs with this as this has become a major problem (luckily the teacher is on our side). He has some issues with math - but it is mostly a timing issue (he can do it - gets almost all of his answers correct - but he works at a slower speed than most) so he does have accomodations in place giving him extra time on an as needed basis for math tests, etc. As for the normal everyday organizational issues - well - we have accomodations in place for this one - like having his teacher initial that his wrote his homework assignments down . . . In the past he would often forget to even bring his homework home but luckily he has mastered this (it may not be in a folder but it IS in his backpack). As I said - it is a frontal lobe issue which is probably why it seems to go hand in hand with ADHD. It *seems* like a maturity issue but it is actually a processing issue. It can get better with age as children learn new tools or learn to adapt, etc. I am an adult ADDer and I have terrible executive dysfunction. I do use a lot of tools - I am dependent on my outlook calendar because if I stop using for even a week - life will slip through my fingers! Our school told me in one breath how they are aware of DS's executive dysfunction and in another breath told me it was a maturity issue he would outgrow. NOT! But with through many meetings under our belt we do have accomodations in place that will hopefully teach DS some tools to get him through. (His teacher says already that he is now writing down his homework - it has become a habit or routine now). Meds do help to a degree but he stil needs the accomodations - again my hope is that many of these will be tools that he will learn to use. Whether or not your dd needs accomodations is how much executive dysfunction interferes with school. Here are two links: schoolbehavior.com - The Executive FunctionsLDonline.come - Lazy Kid or Executive Dysfunction? |
|
|
|
Post by brookesmom on Feb 18, 2005 7:37:49 GMT -5
Well I had my conference yesterday and it is pretty clear that Brooke has fallen back into her old habits within the last several weeks. She also mentioned to her social worker last week that she thought her medicine was not working that day. She never told me or the neuro that but at least she is beginning to recognize.
I asked the LD teacher if she was familiar with Exec. Dysfunction. She was overly aware of it so I gave her some of the articles from the links that were posted. Hopefully she reads them. My next step is to talk to the neuro today and I will ask her what she thinks about Exec Dysfunction and about med adjustment.
|
|
