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Sue, I see it as two issues maybe more.

In my son's chaotic mind

1. he has to pinpoint the problem to be solved.

2. Care to solve the problem

3. Figure out the steps to fix the problem in a

sequential order.

4. Follow through


difficult child has been asked since he was in grade school. "what should you do about that?"  It's a way to cue him to problem solve for himself. The older he gets the better he has gotten in working things out. It is not as automatic as you would think. Sometimes his steps to solve a problem are too complicated for a simple issue.


He cares about some problems being solved and he has learned to care more about things I think he should care about such as appearance, hygiene, environment, budgeting. He doesn't always turn the difficult child ness off when he has a problem. He is tempted to be oppositional.


Sequencing is part of problem solving but it just isn't easy for my difficult child.


Doing over and over doesn't necessarily mean difficult child will follow through. He really does forget since it's not crucial to him but to the world.


The only thing I can tell you is that repetition, verbal and visual cues are all tools to help my difficult child but it doesn't cure the problem of lack of coordinated effort on his own to problem solve.


Being oppositional sometimes prevents him from using his tools to help himself.


Good luck. We are still a work in progress but I see so much more light where I used to see darkness that I am optimistic that he will improve his function. Hopefully you will see it too.


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