Executive functioning issues can vary greatly from one child to the next. That’s why I want to start off by saying that I can’t make any broad generalizations about how children with these issues think. There is no one-size-fits-all explanation.
It’s also important to note that children with executive functioning issues don’t necessarily “think” differently. What they struggle with is the process of coordinating, prioritising or managing information needed to perform tasks successfully. Trouble with executive functioning, or executive dysfunction, is often referred to as a “performance disability.”
So even though kids with these issues may be highly intelligent, gifted, artistic, athletic or musically talented, they may struggle to complete seemingly simple tasks like remembering to turn in their homework.
Kids who struggle to start or finish a task may have difficulty with one or more aspects of executive functioning. This is the umbrella term that refers to skill development in the following areas:
All of these skills develop differently. They can also vary a great deal depending on a child’s age, degree of difficulties and strengths in other areas.
For example, gifted children in primary school may not feel the need to take notes during class. Or they may get the right answers in math without needing to “show their work.” But they may have weaker development in areas like note-taking because they don’t have to rely on those skills until high school or university.
So, to recap: It’s unclear what exactly the psychologist was referring to when she described your son as having a “disorganised mind.” But regardless of his age or abilities, childhood is full of new learning experiences and requires managing vast amounts of information.
Remember that your child is unique. Identifying their strengths and weaknesses through a comprehensive evaluation is a good first step toward figuring out how to address their challenges.
Keep in mind that there are many options that can help your child with executive functioning issues. These include classroom accommodations, graphic organisers and apps and other kinds of assistive technology.
It’s also important to note that children with executive functioning issues don’t necessarily “think” differently. What they struggle with is the process of coordinating, prioritising or managing information needed to perform tasks successfully. Trouble with executive functioning, or executive dysfunction, is often referred to as a “performance disability.”
So even though kids with these issues may be highly intelligent, gifted, artistic, athletic or musically talented, they may struggle to complete seemingly simple tasks like remembering to turn in their homework.
Kids who struggle to start or finish a task may have difficulty with one or more aspects of executive functioning. This is the umbrella term that refers to skill development in the following areas:
- Planning and prioritising
- Starting a task (experts often describe this as “initiation”)
- Controlling impulses (experts call this “inhibition”)
- Shifting from one activity to the next
- Controlling emotions
- Using working memory
- Organising materials
- Self-monitoring
All of these skills develop differently. They can also vary a great deal depending on a child’s age, degree of difficulties and strengths in other areas.
For example, gifted children in primary school may not feel the need to take notes during class. Or they may get the right answers in math without needing to “show their work.” But they may have weaker development in areas like note-taking because they don’t have to rely on those skills until high school or university.
So, to recap: It’s unclear what exactly the psychologist was referring to when she described your son as having a “disorganised mind.” But regardless of his age or abilities, childhood is full of new learning experiences and requires managing vast amounts of information.
Remember that your child is unique. Identifying their strengths and weaknesses through a comprehensive evaluation is a good first step toward figuring out how to address their challenges.
Keep in mind that there are many options that can help your child with executive functioning issues. These include classroom accommodations, graphic organisers and apps and other kinds of assistive technology.
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