Executive function, this kid is driving me nuts!

[Moxie]

What do I do?!? DS is almost 15. DAILY, for YEARS, I've had to remind him (DAILY), that he needs to get his towel off the floor after his shower, take out the trash after school and take his laundry to the laundry room. If I miss a day of reminding/nagging, it doesn't get done and it drives me nuts to see the towel and laundry on the floor and the trash has to go out because it gets full. If he were an only child, fine I would remind him but he is the oldest of 5 and I just can't be on top of all of them. Plus, it is not unreasonable to ask a 15yo to do these things!!

 

We've tried charts and they are always ignored.

 

Perhaps a neon sign at the door to his room? An alarm that goes off (maybe with a small electric shock!) when fabric hits the floor??

[MegP]

Stop nagging and reminding, and give him a consequence.

[Garga]

1. Have you asked him what he thinks he needs to do to remember these three tasks? Once in a blue moon this works. Sometimes.

2. Have you set up a penalty for the jobs not being done?

 

He doesn't care about those three tasks. Only you do. He doesn't have to do any of the work of remembering because you do it for him.

 

The only way to make him care about performing the tasks, is to make it worth his while or make it unpleasant if he doesn't. Either reward him for doing the tasks, or let there be an unpleasant repercussion for not doing the tasks.

Edited March 4, 2016 by Garga

[OneStepAtATime]

Agree with Garga.

 

You might read Smart But Scattered or ADD Friendly Ways to Organize Your Life. Helpful suggestions in both books for executive function deficits and how to improve those areas whether someone is ADD or not at all.

[Ottakee]

Set out a check list for these items...and any other that need attention.

 

Then reset the internet password daily and add as the last item of the list..get password from mom. He might not remember in his own but no internet might help him be motivated to check the list.

 

If you don't do a lot of internet it could be other sought after electronics or rides or activities.

 

It is a pain for mom but can be quite effective. I have 5 teens here all with lower than average IQs and IEPs at school and 4 of the 5 with ADHD so I understand your pain.