Poor executive functioning

Parents Forum Learning Differences and Challenges - LD, ADHD
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<p>My son is in 9th grade and is doing very well academically - mostly As with half honors, half CP classes. But, he is a terrible procrastinator. He had all vacation week to practice his instrument and finish a book assignment and, despite my reminders, left everything until last night. He was despondent at bed time and full of self loathing.</p>

<p>This has been a pattern throughout the years. He puts off work or sits at the table staring into space, unable to get the first sentence down. He resists all attempts to help him get organized; his school-issued day planner (dog-eared, heavily notated and falling apart in his sibling's case) is usually blank.</p>

<p>High school has been wonderful for him socially compared with middle school. He has always been shy, was bullied in MS (we learned), not great with social cues, not good with impulse control and making transitions. I am pretty sure we could have obtained an Asperger diagnosis for him easily, but we resisted this and now he is finally starting to bloom. He has friends and is happy in high school -- except for rolling in bed a few nights a week saying how he hates himself for not getting his work done, not practicing, etc.</p>

<p>He is very involved with computers and spends a great deal of time writing game levels, which is how he procrastinates. Limiting his computer time is an obvious method, which he hates of course and becomes angry and oppositional when I do this. </p>

<p>It seems counterproductive when he is actually doing well in school (although not as well as he probably could), and I am trying to help him think these things through and suggest solutions rather than helicopter constantly. </p>

<p>This morning I suggested (again) taking work in 20-minute chunks meaning over a week he would be getting over 2 hours of practice in, for example. His response: that doesn't work, you don't get anything done. Which is correct, if it takes 15 minutes to settle down and focus as it often does.</p>

<p>I'm worried about how this bodes for his success in college. Thanks in advance for your thoughts.</p>

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<p>Has he been tested for ADHD, etc.?</p>

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<p>OhioMom: no, we never had him tested.</p>

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<p>Just to elaborate on not having him tested: in 6th grade the school wanted to test him. We were uncomfortable with the approach, which was they wanted a blank check to test him with whatever of a battery of instruments they wanted to use, at their sole discretion. After talking with his pediatrician about this, we declined to consent. The pediatrician fully agreed that the school was not approaching it from the standpoint of how to help my child.</p>

<p>Now that he is in 9th grade, I’m not sure whether I would have him tested. I work in healthcare and I am also concerned about the overuse and side effects of stimulant medications in children and adolescents. I know there are many kids that really need and benefit from these meds. I am pretty certain however that given his high academic functioning I would not allow them to be prescribed to my son.</p>

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<p>I would suggest doing some research to find a good professional in your area to test him. Talk to friends in the profession, GC, your Pediatrician. You should be able to get 2 or 3 good recommendations. Better to know early if there is a diagnosis. You do not have to notify the school if there is a diagnosis unless issues arise with schoolwork and you decide to do so. The concerns you mention may or may not get worse. But, if problems arise, it is better to be informed and to be aware of your options.</p>

<p>Cross posted. I would still do independent testing. Medication is an option and works for some, but not all.</p>