| Copyright 2006 Julie Shepherd Knapp |
| Copyright 2006 Julie Shepherd Knapp. All rights reserved. |
| about the book |
| The Homeschool Diner's Guide to Special Needs Homeschooling Learning Disabilities Homeschooling with Executive Function Deficits aka Executive Dysfunction aka Organizational Processing Deficits by Julie Shepherd Knapp, copyright 2006 Some children have very serious organizational problems. Tasks that involve planning, foresight, flexibility, decision-making, organizational skills, self-monitoring, and self evaluation, are termed "executive" tasks or functions. Children who have severe or persistent deficits in these areas may have a neuro-biological disorder called Executive Dysfunction. Children with Executive Dysfunction may seem disconnected, disorganized, scattered, forgetful, unprepared, lazy, present unrealistic plans or goals, and are typically unable to see a project through to completion on their own. Executive Function Deficits are sometimes a component of other disorders, including Aspergers, NVLD, and ADD. Executive Dysfunction also shares some characteristics with children who have a visual-spatial learning style. The following articles build a description of the symptoms and issues of Executive Function Deficits -- please read all of them before dismissing the possibility (the disorder is complex... and each of these articles only touches on a few of the issues) What is Executive Dysfunction? from LD Online What Can Parents do to help? from the website of Kristin S, Kight, University of Delaware, School of Education Understanding the Two Executives in Your Brain by Drs. Eide ADHD Primer for Parents Part I: Executive Functions NOT inattention as the defining trait by Susan Crum, B.S., M.S., Ph.D. (though this article focuses on ADHD, it does a great job of describing some of the executive functions) Books: Late, Lost and Unprepared: a parent's guide to helping children with executive functioning by Joyce Cooper-Khan and Laurie Dietzel -- "... realistic, science-based, and compassionate recommendations for helping children and young adults weak executive abilities.." The reviews at Amazon point to this being a very useful book :-) (it's about time!) The Source for Development of Executive Functions -- (K - 12) from LinguiSystems, a book that describes executive dysfunction disabilities in children – how they present, how to assess them, and goals for remediation... but not many specific activities to help reach these goals. Good for defining the problems areas that need remediation. Also available, a separate publication for ages 16 and up which includes a CD of rehabilitation exercises (geared toward brain injury patients, but may still be helpful in other situations) Related Issues: Organizational problems and the beginning of the school year by Rick Lavoie from LD Online -- aimed at classroom issues, but include tips that will help generally, too Goal-Setting for Children with Learning Disabilities by Dale S. Brown from LD Online Sensory Processing Disorders Help with Short Term Memory Help for Reluctant Writers Aspergers Syndrome Attentional Issues |
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| "Life is the path you beat while you walk it." ~~ Antonio Machado |