Executive Functioning measures an individual’s ability to initiate, plan, organize, implement, and sustain future oriented problem solving. Executive functioning abilities direct and control perceptions, thoughts, actions and to some degree emotions. Good executive functioning control in one domain does not guarantee good executive control in the other domains. Executive functions are separate but interrelated skills. Executive Functioning expectations depend on one’s developmental level:
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I recently spoke with a very happy father. He told me that his insurance company was going to arrange for him to have his child tested for only $15. I understood why he sounded so excited. And if you get an assessment though the school system it is free. Free sounds great, but the problem is that like with many things in life, if it sounds too good to be true to be, it probably is. As a former special education teacher, I have seen some good assessments done by school system staff, however, I also know the limitations of time, resources and even training that can negatively impact the quality of your child’s assessment.
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While every child is unique, and develops on his or her own timeline, sometimes parents wonder if their child needs extra help. The American Academy of Pediatrics recently recommended that pediatricians conduct more formal screenings of early childhood development. This is easier said than done. Most pediatricians have to compress their exploration of your little one’s progress into a 15 minute appointment, while also conducting a physical and giving shots, all while the child is crying or hiding his face in your arm. It is even more difficult for pediatricians in a practice where the child sees a different physician every time. Pediatricians refer patients to other professionals such as psychologists, developmental pediatricians, and speech-language pathologists when they suspect that something about the child’s development is not proceeding as expected.
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Now that I am a mother of two, I really miss my therapist. She retired and moved out of state. Going to therapy was an obligatory part of getting my psychology degree, but going felt like I was the woman in the old 70s Calgon commercial sinking into her spa tub (“Calgon take me away!”).She was the only one who never interupted me, something I appreciate SO much more now that my children are constantly competing for my attention.
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We all want the very best for our sons and daughters. Most of us find ‘shopping’ for a psychologist pretty nerve racking, because we are not sure how to make an informed choice. Finding the right psychologist is a lot like finding a great attorney, architect, or surgeon. All of these professionals help us during times when we really need a job done right, but unless you actually are an attorney, architect, or surgeon, it is hard to know how to judge their work until its all done. As with these other professionals, its best to do your homework ahead of time when selecting a psychologist.
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