Executive function disorder?

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I have often felt that my son has a "lack of grit" -- ie he seems to give up the moment something gets hard. What I've recently concluded is that I'm probably underestimating just how hard some things can be for him. The solution seems to be to pay extra attention to the task to make sure that it is a "just right challenge". If I make sure it is just a little stretch beyond his current capabilities he's much more able to stick with it.

What I liked about the book, "Smart but Scattered" is how the author broke up EF skills into different categories. That explains why I am able to do long-term projects without direct supervision but cannot for the life of me keep my papers in order or remember appointments or pay bills on time. They are different subsets of EF.

Unfortunately, the book is not too helpful for adults. The method of training in EF requires that someone be "over" or "direct" the learning of the other, assisting the learner to remember to do things and develop a routine. This can work well in a situation where a parent is overseeing a child. But I cannot help myself in these areas. I have tried and tried and tried and tried and tried.

This is not about a lack of perseverance and grit. I am a good musician. I didn't get there without perseverance and grit, I assure you. Yet, I have not been able to "pick up on" these particular EF skills, nor develop them no matter how many books I have read nor how many routines I have tried to implement, and so on. I have been working on them all my adult life and finally gave up.

At a certain point, I said, "I can't do this - I must have a learning disability of some sort." This was actually the trigger that caused me to start looking for information about what was wrong, and eventually led me to AS and how it can be manifested in females, and now I am here.

I wish I knew about AS and EF dysfunction a lot earlier. Instead, I grew up being told that my disorganization was due to laziness, and my outbursts were due to being disrespectful.

nerdygirl

I haven't read smart but scattered but there is a smart and scattered book for teens as well.
Maybe that has more independent strategies.
Maybe I should get the book.

My spectrum child is more responsible with homework and school work than my typical child. So its probably not EFD.
If I ask my autistic child to go upstairs and get a hair brush often will come back without it.
If I ask my child if I task was done. I am told "I forgot" There is a rush upstairs only to find it was forgotten again.



Both my children lack grit as I said family trait, not associated with the other things.
trait from my dads side of the family. I know its a different issue.

Ah, sorry for misunderstanding that cakedashdash.

HOnestly, I don't know. I know I have more "determination and grit" than my son or my husband, but I can't tell for sure if that is part of ASD or a personality trait. And there is still a situational aspect to it.

I rarely see the term Executive Function Disorder but often see Executive Dysfunction or Executive Function Deficits... There is no shortage of information about it.

I have some problems in this area. I have learned that many of the best resources for adults in this area are for autistic college students and adults with ADHD.

One thing that slightly disturbs me in this conversation is the discussion of "grit" as if this was not impacted by executive function deficits. Some of the issues that can arise with executive dysfunction will create the impression of someone who "gives up too easily" when in fact this is a person who gets stuck or does not know how to proceed.

There can be problems in initiating action and also in integrating past experience into present action in ways that can arrest a process in mid execution. This can seem like "giving up" when all that is need is a little guidance to get back on task, or clarification about direction or next action.

I would be cautious about ascribing what might be a sign of executive dysfunction to a character flaw. It's better to look for ways to work around and overcome the problem than just accept it as "the way you are."

I think that grit is a personality trait, a really important one that has a big effect on a person's life.
Some people have it, some people don't, and I have known autistic and neurotypical people with and without it.
I don't consider lack of grit to be a character flaw.

Adamantium
THE REASON I sometimes by that term is when I typed the key words on amazon
I got this.
The Everything Parent's Guide to Children with Executive Functioning Disorder: Strategies to help your child achieve the time-management skills, focus, ... to succeed in school and life

I never read the book yet. I am not sure if I want to buy a book yet or just read the stuff available from LD sites. Because I am pretty sure my child can recognize patterns so I am probably just spinning my wheels
here. Though smart but scattered looks good even though its probably not a fit.

I have read some info online from LD groups and magazines, but it always feels like partial info. Its also sometimes conflicting info, conflicting terms, ectra.


DW_a_mom
It would be nice if there was a magic wand to help me know the best ways to teach my child. I know its the long haul and a lot of work to help my children spectrum or not.

btbnnyrand DW_a_mom

my youngest sister had no real issues sept lack of grit.
My cousin I suspect has autism and lack of grit can't take care of himself, but the main problem,
is the lack of grit. While many autistics due have a lack of grit many do not.
I think I can develop grit in my child with rewards and practice.
I do think its an important trait to develop.

Yes, I think that grit can be developed.

I am listening to smart but scattered via audio via the library digital from my local library
I don't think its a exact fit with my spectrum child
It seems to remind me of myself a little but not exactly
I don't know if I will listen to the whole thing but I will try "Its more of a time thing"
I can read a lot faster than I listen


btbnnyr
I believe it can be taught
I have grit when its something I really need to accomplish

A lot of people who have grit, they probably developed it instead of born with it.

cakedashdash -- I don't feel like I've got a good picture about what areas your child is struggling in, exactly. If you want to give a little more detail about the top 1 or 2 issues you're struggling to understand, maybe we can help.

cakedashdash -- I don't feel like I've got a good picture about what areas your child is struggling in, exactly. If you want to give a little more detail about the top 1 or 2 issues you're struggling to understand, maybe we can help.

From a executive function perspective they are not talking about general task persistence but long term goal-directed persistence. Goal-directed persistence refers to setting a goal and working toward it without being diverted by other interests. This is one of the last executive skills to develop, so depends on other more basic EF skills.

People with ASD and ADHD are not big rule following people when a conceptual structural framework is not provided for the rules. The biggest hang up is what to apply when. Character/moral concepts provide the framework for the huge number of behavioral rules. Media, communities, most schools no longer teach character/morals. No more "Leave it to Beaver" Media exploits immature EF in kids to sell goods, whine at your parents to buy xxx; you won't be popular if you don't have this backpack. So families are the only place todays kids get this education. Often parents do not realize ASD and ADHD kids need explicit teaching. So I do not see it as character flaws, but need for more explicit teaching.

See http://www.4mylearn.org/EF-Goal-directe ... tence.html

ASDMommyASDKid
Your right it sounds like breakfast cereal or dirt

Yes perseverance is a better word. I use grit because of a ted talk a teacher used. Its more than lack of perseverance maybe void of self motivation is a better word not sure.