Does My Child Have Executive Function Disorder?

Executive Function Disorder is an often overlooked condition that masquerades as ADHD. The simple truth of the matter is that ADHD has become such a go-to diagnosis that even trained medical personnel often miss the cues that differentiate the two.

The difference between Executive Function Disorder (EFD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is admittedly subtle. A child with ADHD is usually hyperactive, impulsive and inattentive. The last part of that equation is where the two differ. Executive Functions have observable patterns and present with a chronic difficulty to perform even the simplest daily tasks. EFD can be present right from the start but it also often presents with the onset of puberty, so if your child did well in primary school but is starting to have difficulties in the higher grades, chances are good that you are seeing the first signs of EFD.

Executive Function Defined

Let’s have a look at what Executive Function actually is. In humans, it has six distinct, sequential steps. Those steps are:

Analysing
Planning
Organizing
Developing
Adjusting
Completing

A person with EFD tends to get lost somewhere on this path. Children with EFD often exhibit problems with organizational skills and setting and keeping schedules. Their teachers will report that they do not finish their work in class whether that be essay writing, the short story they are to write, or finishing a maths sheet or test.

The EFD Checklist

How many of these have you observed in your child?

• Does your child keep messy notebooks or take erratic notes in class?
• Does he or she get in trouble for being late to class and cannot account for why this happens so often?
• Does he or she often misplace important items like homework and other school materials? Including items of clothing and drink bottles.
• Does your child have trouble keeping a tidy bedroom even if you can observe him or her trying to clean it?
• Does your child tend to leave things unfinished and completely forget about them (like homework, hobbies, even meals)?
• Does your child struggle to control their emotional responses?

If you could answer yes to more than one of those questions, it could very well be EFD.

TOMATIS® Sound Therapy and EFD

EFD and ADHD are both manageable conditions and many children and teens find relief from the symptoms by going through TOMATIS® Sound Therapy. TOMATIS® uses music and speech played at different frequencies to literally teach the brain how to listen better. Quite often, the underlying issue with conditions like EFD is rooted in auditory processing issues. TOMATIS® addresses and corrects those issues in a way that allows all cognitive functions to work better.

If you think your child may be suffering with EFD and you are looking for a safe, holistic alternative to prescription medication, I recommend looking into TOMATIS®. I have helped children throughout Australia to manage and overcome the symptoms associated with a variety of behaviour and cognitive issues including EFD.

Call me today and find out how I can help yours. Call 0437 048 833.