Executive Functioning/LD | ADHD Information

DS12 was diagnosed with ADHD when he was 7.
His meds have been incredibly helpful. He is
pleasure to be with, participates in sports, has
friends etc. None of this was true before the meds.

However, we are dealing with executive functioning
issues and learning disabilities.

He has poor memory, spelling, processing speed,
organizational skills and writing. He struggles with
basic number facts. He is also highly motivated,
works hard and is gifted, so we cannot look to his
behaviour, motivation or intellingence as the root of
these issues.

I was wondering if anyone here had insight on the
following:

Are these part of the ADHD? If so, I would consider
tinkering with his meds, but my gut says that they are
co-morbid conditions.

There are many therapies that claim to fix these
issues, like Cogmed memory training, vision therapy
etc. Others say that these issues cannot be fixed, but
over time he will find accomodations and
compensation techniques that can work for him. I
will admit that I am somewhat doubtful about the
therapies since there is little independent validation
of their effectiveness. Does anyone here have any
experience with this?

And finally, on a personal note, am I the only parent
with a bright motivated child who still needs to spend
hours and hours helping with schoolwork? I help
him organize, study and write...please tell me that at
some point he will learn some of these skills? The
workload is killing me.

Thank you.My son's 11 and we have many of the same issues you are talking about.  The executive functioning is definitely an ADHD thing.  On days when my son has a lot of homework I give him a short- acting Focalin in the afternoon that's actually only half his regular dosage.  It's enough to help with the homework, but not enough to kill his appetite at dinner. 

What I've found that helps the most with the schoolwork is totally contrary to every instinct I have.  I decided to take a step back and make him totally responsible for his schoolwork this year.  When he gets home he does his homework in his room (I walk past every 15 min. or so to remind him to stop playing and do his homework) and I check it.  I've given up on neatness, but I do have to be able to read it and it must be about 80% correct.  I don't check his binder- in fact I never even look at it because I know it would drive me crazy.  He puts all his homework in the front pocket instead of putting it in the proper sections so that he has an easier time finding it the next day.  So far it's been working, in part because his middle school has a fairly strict homework policy: if it's not done then they must complete it during "lunch detention," and lunch time is the only chance they have to get outside and run around. 

There's not a whole to be done about processing speed and work memory.  They are what they are, and he will likely learn skills to compensate on his own, but if he's receptive you could make suggestions for how to remember things.  My son finally has most of his basic addition and subtraction facts down and we're still working on some of the multiplication facts.  What ended up working for him was a math game that my mother used when she home- schooled me in the elementary years.  I have no idea what it's called (packaging is long gone) but it's basically a drill with little cards with problems on them and you have to match them up to the correct answer.  It has you do them in a certain order, and you have to reach a certain level of proficiency before you move to the next group of problems.  PM me if you want more details. 

Has he been tested for learning disabilities?  If you can afford it, or your insurance will cover it, than it's worth it to be sure.  You may be able to talk the school district into doing it, but getting testing for a gifted child can be very difficult.     
Thank you all!

Suddenly, I don't feel so alone anymore.

DS has been the subject of two full
psycho-educational assessments. He was never
officially given an LD label, but numerous issues
were identified. I gather that there is no clear
definition of what constitutes an LD, but some
people say that a gap in intelligence vs achievement
qualifies. If so, he definitely has an LD. I also wonder
if he has "stealth" dyslexia, which is the term given to
gifted kids with dyslexia, since the gifts tend to mask
the disablities on the testing.

DS is on Concerta, and it may very well be wearing
off around homework time. I am hesitant to add
more meds, since he has trouble sleeping (he is
also on Clonidine).

The hardest thing that he has trouble with are
projects with multiple steps - even when they are
written out, he just does not seem to digest the
instructions.

I too find that my greatest concern is with his future.
How will he ever hold a job?Executive function problems are a major part of ADD.  My DD(14) is ADD inattentive type and has horrible problems with organization, time management, etc.  She is a freshman this year, and I am sorry to say is not any better in this department.  I feel like her executive secretary, trying to help her organize and stay on top of her workload.  It is draining.  I will be so happy when this semester is over so that we both can have a break. 

Our district has refused to put DD on a 504, although most of her teachers have been helpful.  I am seriously thinking, though, of trying to get her on an IEP for her executive function disorder since some teachers just don't get it.

Heather

It sounds like all typical adhd signs to me. I read a lot of parents talking about the things that you have mentioned.

My son is also 12. He is very organized, maybe due to anxiety of not being. He works hard at it, harder than most.

I am wondering if your son's meds are worn off during the homework hours. Just a thought.

What meds is he on? What is the dose? Do you think it is at the right mg level or should be increased?

I don't know of any "therapies" to help, but why not start with the teachers and his school? they can help him get organized. And stay organized. They will stragegize with a plan that works for your son.

Do you think the meds are still working when he starts homework? You know you can always add a short acting dose to help get him and you through it.

 

BETHANN40154.1494791667cleo,
Much of what you say would apply to my daughter also. She is bright (though not academically "gifted") and wants to do well (don't know if I would call her "highly motivated"), but has issues with focus, organization, time management, forgetting and losing things. Not great with the basic math facts, but gradually improving and is actually doing fantastic in pre-algebra this year, and she is very good at spelling.
I believe these are part of ADHD. In your son's case, however, I do wonder about the "processing speed" and some of the other specifics that you mention. It's possible these could be something other than ADHD. I think the only way to find out is to have a specialist do a thorough diagnosis.
You are not the only parent who spends hours helping with schoolwork and organization. I do that too. I do see improvement over time, but there are good days and then there are those days sometimes when I think, "how is my child ever going to cope on her own?" It is overwhelming at times, but I am glad that I am able to be there for my daughter and help her learn these skills one day at a time.
I will also say that if ever I mention my child's lack of organization, etc. to other parents, they immediately chime in with anecdotes about how disorganized their child is. Hard to know, sometimes, how much is "normal." My other child is, in general, super-organized and completely independent.
I don't have any experience with the therapies you mention. There is probably discussion of them somewhere in the "Alternatives and Complementary Meds" forum here on this message board, so you may want to check it out.
Best of luck! Let us know how things go.

"...There are many therapies that claim to fix these
issues, like Cogmed memory training, vision therapy
etc. Others say that these issues cannot be fixed, but
over time he will find accomodations and
compensation techniques that can work for him.
I will admit that I am somewhat doubtful about the
therapies since there is little independent validation
of their effectiveness. Does anyone here have any
experience with this? ..."

And doubtful you should be!!  A true learning disorder is for life,
so yeah, he'll discover ways to adapt.  Not that some good coaching
wouldn't be helpful to him (how's that for a double negative?!).  If you
haven't already, you might check out your state's Learning Disability Association affiliate, which will connect you with other families with similar challenges and good advice to offer...

So good that he has a mom like you supporting and understanding him!  Along with helping out in his weak areas, be sure to help him recognize and appreciate his strengths--which all too often get short shrift due to all the attention on the weaknesses.   For it is his areas of strength that will ultimately bring him lasting satisfaction and success in whatever his endeavors are.  After all, most of what counts for grades in school doesn't matter all that much once outside of school...what does matter, beyond school, is self-confidence and motivation.