LD - Executive Functioning Problems

I dont have any adivice but I need to know for my own child, who/what tested her and gave diagnosis?
Thanks.

Hi,
I'm guessing here that your child's executive functioning is
poor in relation to other children the same age. Execustive functioning is the last to develop for all of us.Executive fuctioning is at the front. Our brains develop from back to front, in terms of skills and development. That's why these days we don't think our 18 year olds are grown since we know that the brain doesn't fully develop until we are 26 or so.You have a lot good ideas here from other mothers, just because it's behind now doesn't mean it won't catch up.Have you tried flash cards,card games, pick up sticks? They might help.
L.

Abilities Center
###-###-#### www.abilitiescenter.com
Walled Lake, MI 48390

They have the best therapy around! It is a little bit of a drive, but very worth it. I don't know your insurance, but they will accept medicaid but only through Detroit Institute for Children. It is usually a wait to get in but, again, worth it. There are other funds available also, but I don't know them off the top of my head. The intake at Abilities Center might be able to help you out more. Good luck and stay strong. In case no one else told you, TAKE CARE OF YOU, is most important! Special needs children can take tons of work and you need to take care of you first! It is a true gift to give your children that they know it is okay to take care of themselves too!

Good Morning P.,
My son has several special needs and is currently certified Learning Disabled on his school IEP. He also has problems with executive functions although I haven't found anyone to diagnose him as such. Who did you daughter see to get this diagnosis? I'd love to have a "specialist/expert/professionsal" look at my son and help narrow down his issues. He has some sensory, the learning disabilities, emotional issues and in terms of the executive functioning I can tell you this from his testing: severe problem with memory - both long and short term, attention, focus, transitioning, some life skills such as: dressing, showering, lacing shoes - all took much longer to accomplish than peers his age. He has very poor organizational skills also. From the little bit you posted, it sounds as if our children may be similiar in some ways.

Now in terms of help/support. Depending upon your daughters age, the school Occupational Therapist could work with her. If she hasn't begun school yet, perhaps a private OT would be beneficial. I have a lot to share so maybe it's best to give you my email and we can talk furthe that way. My son is now in 5th grade and I've worked intensley on getting him services and help. I'd be happy to help you!
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Have a great day!
M. M.

I have no experience whatsoever with the diagnosis... but I have just finished reading a fascinating book documenting decades of work into the wiring of the human brain and how it can be changed. The book is called Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain, and discusses the changes possible in brains just by intentionally direction. Meditation, training, and directing focus and attention all change the way the human brain works. Quite fascinating on its own, but it certainly makes it clear that working with people can change a diagnosis like this...

P. - I would love to hear more from you about this too. My 7 year old is having trouble in school. She is in a special reading group because she is behind the rest of the class by about half on her reading level. When I talked with the teacher she told be she has trouble maintaining her words. Fo example she practices a book at home with me over several days, then reads it with her reading teacher and does well. Then a week or two later when the teacher pulls the book back out she struggles to read it. I am going to post this as aquestion on the site but would love to know from you how you got your daughter tested.

Hi P. -

I have a 12 year old that is diagnosied with multiple emotional impairments and he has a lot of difficulty in the areas you've mentioned. Best thing I can suggest is keep working with her and try not to get discouraged. She won't really "grow out of it" but it will be easier to manage the longer she is worked with. As long as she is getting services through school and you are working with her at home things will turn out fine. She may need a modified cirriculum, that would help, too. It's not an easy road but it is manageable. God bless - S.

Good morning P., How old is your daughter? I work with people in journaling thier life events. Depending on her age, it would be perfect!

Have a brilliant day~
Life Coach J.

Executive functioning is one of those fun/catchy terms that psychologist like to use that can mean many different types of problems. Many of the executive tasks are about focus and or organization - they tend to be in the frontal lobe, the same area that malfunctions in ADHD. Kids, or adults for that matter, learn from using this area and forcing it to work more often, like building up any muscle. You can try games of organization, like those matching memory games (where you flip over cards and try to remember where the pairs are), any type of board game, puzzles and organized individual sport that require controlled movement (trying to get the body and mind working together) such as Karate, gymnastic or dance. You can feel free to email me with any questions you might have directly. Good luck!

Wow, that kinda sounds like my daughter. Where did you have her tested??? How did you know to get her tested. The Doctors are telling me--oh she will grow out of it (4yrs), mature and she will be fine but how did you know something was wrong. I just have this feeling like something is wrong. If you can please e-mail me. Thanks. Tami
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Hi. I heard a very knowledgeable speaker on this topic, Dr. Roger Lauer. He has a clinic in Ann Arbor and another in Bloomfield Hills. Their website in www.CNandL.com (Center for Neuropsychology and Learning). Good luck!