ADD Student

Archive for March, 2008

Sometimes, when a child (or adult) is diagnosed for Attention Deficit Disorder, the report will mention that the individual has Executive Function deficits. Or, more commonly, the parent notices that while their child is extremely bright (genius IQ in some instances), they still struggle with school and make poor grades. In many of these cases, Executive Function is to blame.

Deficits in Executive Function are sort of part of the package of AD/HD, not a seperate condition. In fact, deficits in Executive Function really make up what most people think of when they think of AD/HD.

Here’s a quick guide to what Executive Function does:

Manages short term and working memory

Puts information into long term memory

Retrieves information from long term memory

Processes information, including managing speed of processing

Directs and maintains attention

Screens out distractions

Gets back on task quickly after an interuption

Prioritizes information

Manages social behavior

This list alone ought to give you a great deal of insight as to why your child might be having the difficulties they do.

If your child attends public school, and you have had difficulties getting the school to provide proper accommodations for your child’s Attention Deficit Disorder, then Camille Tuutti-Winkler would like to talk to you. Ms. Tuutti-Winkler is a writer currently working on an article about alternative schooling options for children with AD/HD. The goal of the article is to educate parents about their options when the public school system fails their children. If you feel that you can help Ms. Tuutti-Winkler at all, please send an email to me, and I will forward it on to her. Please put DC in the subject line.

Today’s Tuesday Ten Minute Tip is now posted.  Sorry about the delay – with the Easter holiday, my husband had a 4 day week-end, and today when he went back to work, it seemed like Monday, so I forgot to post the new one.  It’s there now; hope you find it useful.