<p>I really like the book “More Attention, Less Deficit” which is targeted towards adults with ADD but has lots of good stuff for anyone. One of the best parts is the early chapter that describes “Executive Function” – or when you know it’s time to get going and the motivation to then get moving. </p>
<p>I think many, many males develop “Executive Function” later and differently. I realized that DH and I were providing the Executive Function for S2 throughout high school, in part because we live in a rural area and we provided a lot of the transportation to school and events. It was second nature to say “ok, time to get going for that class/project/performance” and then say “hey, you don’t have your backpack, jacket, project board” which pulled the kid’s chestnuts out of any impending fire. </p>
<p>I warned S2 that college is a lot more unforgiving. You have to hit the ground running and keep running all term. Grades just arrived and are . . . seriously underwhelming. But he seems to know where he went off track. </p>
<p>We’re blessed because S2 will take input. He’s always been an easy going personality and will take an idea and mull it over politely, even if he discards it later. I think it is far harder to parent a kid who is prickly and/or embarrassed. </p>
<p>We had an interesting conversation with a professor at a nearby college. He said that his college had problems retaining freshmen and sophomores but had excellent outcomes once kids reached the junior year. I’m sitting there, thinking about the SLOWWW development of Executive Function, and I am wondering “is it that the freshman program is poor or that student’s executive function is poor?” Two years older can make a big difference in performance. </p>
<p>Many men of my father’s generation ruefully remember WWII boot camp. Twelve weeks of intense programming on aspects of Executive Function given by relentless, tough men produced lasting results for many – but that’s a lot harsher (and not necessarily meaningful) than I think my guy needs. Where’s the World of Warcraft instant reward for getting your butt to class on time? Gee, just a few bags of gold or swords of fury would sure help . . .</p>