Question
I have a Freshman in high school who used to be a good student. I don’t know what happened, but suddenly he’s not turning in any assignments even though they are often completed! He says he just forgets to turn them in. He has also been leaving things he needs for school at home and then frantically texting me to bring them to him so he doesn’t get in trouble. I don’t understand why he is so disorganized all of a sudden. What can I do to help him, because this has gotten out of hand! Any advice welcome!
Answer
Struggling to complete and/or submit assignments can be an executive functioning difficulty. This means that your son most likely knows he has work to turn in but simply forgets to do so. He may be distracted by other things in his day or new assignments he is given, and simply forgets he has work to submit. In the morning he also may forget items needed because he is so focused on getting to school on time, or just trying to get himself ready for the day.
Difficulties with executive functioning tend to occur more when students enter middle and high school because of the amount of work and independence expected. As our students get older, we expect them to keep track of more assignments and more classes, and provide them with less support. In elementary school and sometimes in middle school, the teachers tend to remind students multiple times to submit assignments and check that they are written in agenda books. However, in high school, students are expected to independently document assignments and know to submit them on time without reminders. This is a lot for students to keep track of and can be overwhelming.
Some things that may help are daily checklists or to-do lists, setting alarms and reminders on his phone, preparing his items the night before, text reminders throughout the day to submit his work, and/or creating a Google calendar that links to his phone. I would discuss these different strategies with your son and pick one to try. Try it consistently for a week or two to see if it helps. If not, move on to the next one. Unfortunately, it will most likely be a game of trial and error until you find what works for him. I hope this helps!
Alexa Bueno, M.Ed., Contributing Guest Expert
About the Author
Alexa is a special education teacher and executive function coach who works with teens and young adults. She has a bachelor’s degree in Special Education from Miami University of Ohio, and a master’s degree in Reading Education from Towson University. She is a proud mother of an energetic 20-month old boy and is local to the Annapolis area.
Alexa can be contacted at (609) 330-6461 or email arosebatterman@gmail.com
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