Parenting middle and high school students is a journey filled with challenges and triumphs, especially when your child faces executive function deficits. This is often seen in cases of ADHD or learning disabilities and can look like disorganization, lack of time management skills, lack of focus, and forgetting deadlines.
Trust me, I know exactly how you feel. I outlined this struggle in detail with my personal experience.
But what if I told you that with these challenges, your child has unique strengths that can help them thrive in their own way? It may not always seem like it, but kids with executive function deficits often develop qualities that make them creative thinkers, resilient problem solvers, and very empathetic people.
I didn’t realize this until later on, and I want to help you recognize these strengths as soon as possible. Here are a few lessons I learned about how the unexpected benefits of executive function challenges can lead to growth opportunities and shape your child into a strong, capable, and resourceful young adult.
Fostering Creativity and Innovation
Does it ever seem like your child struggles with structured learning but can come up with the wildest, most imaginative ideas?
Many students with executive function deficits, including those with ADHD, tend to think outside the box. They may struggle with focus and organization, but these challenges can also pave the way for exceptional creativity and problem-solving skills.
Because their brains don’t always follow linear processes, they’re naturally wired for creative problem-solving. They might struggle to take notes in an orderly way but excel in brainstorming new ideas. They may have a hard time following rigid instructions but can come up with unexpected, innovative solutions.
An article in Scientific American magazine explores how those with ADHD may be more creative than others. This is because they are better at thinking outside the box and overcoming limitations.
Encouraging this strength:
- Give your child opportunities to express their creativity—whether through art, storytelling, music, or hands-on projects.
- Encourage brainstorming sessions when tackling problems instead of forcing one “right” way.
Read our article, How Executive Function Coaching Empowers Students with ADHD, to learn more about how our executive function coaching sets your child up for success!
Building Resilience and a Growth Mindset
Let’s be real: Kids with executive function deficits face more academic and organizational challenges than their peers. They experience more setbacks, more moments of frustration, and more situations where they have to work twice as hard to keep up.
But guess what? All of this builds resilience.
Dealing with learning challenges head-on helps students develop resilience. Overcoming these hurdles encourages a growth mindset, which is essential for future success. The ability to push through difficulties, learn from failures, and keep going even when things get tough is a skill that will serve them for life.
Encouraging this strength:
- Shift the focus from grades to progress.
- Praise effort over outcomes.
- Remind your child that mistakes and setbacks aren’t failures—they’re learning opportunities.
Enhanced Empathy and Social Awareness
You might have noticed that your child has a big heart and a deep sense of empathy for others. That’s because children who struggle with executive function often understand firsthand what it feels like to be left behind, to feel different, or to work harder than others just to keep up.
Their own experiences with learning difficulties can make them more understanding and compassionate towards others facing similar challenges. They can be the friend who supports a classmate struggling in school or the one who stands up for someone feeling left out. This fosters a supportive and inclusive environment.
Encouraging this strength:
- Talk to your child about the importance of empathy
- Help them understand how their own experiences shape their empathy.
- Discuss positive ways they can use their kindness, like mentoring a younger student, volunteering, or being a supportive friend.
Developing Unique Problem-Solving Skills
Have you ever watched your child come up with an unconventional way to complete a project or tackle a problem? That’s because kids with executive function deficits often take a different approach to problem-solving.
Since traditional, step-by-step methods don’t always work for them, they develop their own creative strategies. Their ability to think outside conventional frameworks can lead to creative solutions that others might overlook. While this can be frustrating in structured school environments, it’s a valuable skill in real-world situations where innovation is key.
Encouraging this strength:
- When your child finds a unique way to solve a problem, acknowledge it!
- Instead of forcing them to conform to rigid methods, help them refine and improve their approach.
- Foster an environment where your child feels safe and comfortable to explore unconventional ideas and ways of solving problems.
You might be wondering, “Where do I even begin? How can I actually support my child’s unique problem-solving skills?
With 1-1 expert support and guidance through our executive function coaching, your child will not only feel encouraged but thrive in their unique learning abilities.
Adaptive Learning Styles
Students with executive function deficits tend to develop adaptive learning styles that can be more flexible and creative than traditional methods. They may naturally gravitate toward strategies that work better for their brains, like using visuals, breaking tasks into chunks, or turning study time into an interactive experience.
I get it. Sometimes you’re looking at your child’s method and wondering, “What the heck are you doing? Are you even learning anything?”
While their way of studying may look different from conventional studying, these adaptive methods can be highly effective!
For example, some students process information best when it’s presented in a visual format, like mind maps, diagrams, or color-coded notes. Others might benefit from kinesthetic learning, like acting out concepts, using movement, or doing hands-on activities.
This ability to adapt and personalize their learning is a strength that will serve them both in school and beyond. In a world that values flexible thinking and problem-solving, your child is developing a crucial skill: the ability to adjust and find creative solutions in any situation.
Encouraging this strength:
- Observe how they learn best and lean into their learning preferences.
- Introduce different strategies and experiment with different methods!
- Help them make learning engaging, like turning studying into a game or incorporating their interests.
- Celebrate their creativity. Let them know that their unique way of learning is an advantage that will help them thrive.
Final Thoughts
Yes, executive function deficits come with real challenges. But they also come with hidden strengths that can become incredible assets when nurtured. The key is to help your child recognize and build upon these strengths while giving them the right tools and support to manage their challenges.
If you’re looking for ways to help your child strengthen their executive function skills and learn strategies that work for them, our executive function coaching can help.
Our expert tutors work one-on-one with students to develop personalized strategies for organization, time management, and learning success.
Let’s turn challenges into opportunities. Call us today to learn how we can support your child’s unique learning journey.
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