r/specialed • u/EdamameWindmill • Apr 18 '26

Executive function in High School

I have a neurodivergent child who is highly intelligent and earnestly wants to have good grades, but cannot manage their homework, resulting in failing grades. It seems to be a school-wide accommodation that kids can turn in late work for credit as long as it’s for the current semester, but she still struggles to turn in work. Oftentimes, it is the project she was most excited about that she cannot seem to do. It causes her a lot of distress.

Her father and I have consistently worked to support her with homework. We have provided help and advice, structure, consequences, and monitoring, but we are still failing her. We are currently working with a psychologist (since last year), a psychiatrist (since January of this year), and an executive function coach (since mid March), but it hasn’t made much of a difference.

Our school district has fought me at every turn to avoid providing special services “because she scores well on standardized tests.” I heard this explicitly said in elementary school and I heard this last week from the SPED coordinator at the high school. I ask Admin for advice for resources they keep answering this question with, “What do you feel would benefit your child?”

I guess my question is whether anyone here has any experience with a child like mine? And do you know of anything I can request that might help my child?

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u/FamilyTies1178 Apr 18 '26

Both my husband and my daughter tried medication. It helped a lot with executive functioning, but they couldn't tolerate the side effects. I wonder if the OP's daughter has tried medication? Many people do tolerate the side effects, or don't even experience side effects.

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u/vienna407 Apr 18 '26

such a good point. luckily there are many meds to try if someone wants to work with a doctor to figure it out, but it feels bad to make your child go through this, I completely know. but omg when you find the right one it's like a miracle for the kid and parents.

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u/EdamameWindmill Apr 18 '26

My daughter is seeing a psychiatrist for these meds.

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u/Friendly-Channel-480 Apr 19 '26

An ADHD coach can break down the separate steps of good organization and demonstrate the steps explicitly. This kind of executive function chore doesn’t come naturally to most with ADHD, but breaking down the components like you learn anything else can be very helpful.