How We Unwittingly Put Ourselves & Others in Catch-22s

Slow Processing, Time Management Issues, Unrealistic Expectations & Ramped Up Stress Responses

Conjecture

Asynchronous people with Slow Processing are going to be in a WORLD OF HURT if they don't recognize some IDIOSYNCRATIC Time Management Challenges.

Ideally, parents and teachers are aware of idiosyncratic time management challenges for the "EXCEPTIONALITIES."

• But we're just starting to appreciate these issues from an occupational therapy standpoint ---
• The reality is most kids & adults are on their own.

There can be a lot of "CRASH & BURN" --- especially when these ASYNCHRONOUS KIDS become ADULTS and they don't have the EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING SUPPORT that was being provided by their families.

• TOUGH LOVE is probably the WRONG PRESCRIPTION in most cases where we're dealing with a NEURO-DEVELOPMENTAL DIFFERENCE such as ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia and or "Giftedness"/Asynchrony.
  

We now understand that there are SERIOUS CONCERNS when people are accumulating a COMPOUNDING "SLEEP DEBT" ---

• I would submit there are SERIOUS HEALTH CONCERNS when we're accumulating a COMPOUNDING "TIME DEBT."
  • and this is what is a contributing factor to NEURO-DIVERSE BURNOUT &/or BREAK-DOWN.

Gilbert Supporters of the Gifted

Now what is particularly UNHELPFUL is for us or the people in our lives to say:

• "If you really cared/ were responsible or loved me --- YOU/WE WOULDN'T HAVE THESE CHALLENGES."  --- OR
• YOU'RE AN IDIOT
  

By and large, a lot of taking this personally and failing to recognize STRENGTHS ---

• goes away when we recognize the NEURO-DEVELOPMENTAL EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING DIFFERENCES --- AND
• THE ASYNCHRONY

Now most us want this kind of "FORBEARANCE" and Understanding --- BUT we're not particularly good at giving it.

The more the NUTS & BOLTS of Occupational Therapy approaches to Executive Functioning Issues and Asynchrony are developed and understood in the Society ---

• the easier it will be for Individuals, Families, Employers and the Society at large. 
  

Occupational Therapy & Executive Functions

Image Credit:  St. Catherine University ---
Val's Take:  Traditional "Therapy" has an important place in the TOOL KIT --- But we're often missing "OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY."  

Significant private and public resources are WASTED by not addressing Executive Functioning Issues from an OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY PERSPECTIVE.