According to Tricia Cassiday, Department of Defense Education Activity Director of Pupil Personnel Services, the results are not surprising. Cassiday says 20% of children of active-duty personnel are educated at DoD schools on bases, and thus deal with ongoing deployments of parents and even faculty. Fortunately, base schools are set up with support services for the affected children.

Counselors and administrators help prepare students on bases through classes on the challenges of deployment and hold small-group therapy discussions to address specific problems, such as fear and anxiety, changing family roles and relationship skills. Furthermore, returning soldiers often come into the schools to give presentations to the kids and talk about their experiences, which gives the students a chance to feel more connected to the absent parent.

Schools that are not part of the DoD system, however, do not have these healthy support systems to help students who are dealing with deployment. According to the study, school officials may not even know a child's parent is gone until the grades start dropping. In some cases, students with an absent parent due to deployment may have to take on more responsibility such as cleaning or babysitting, which not only cuts into study time, but also adds to the stress and depression from missing a parent, which ultimately results in lower achievement. 

Vice President Joe Biden's wife, Jill Biden, has been advocating for greater cooperation between DoD and civilian schools to offer better support to military children. Have you seen evidence of lower performance by military students in your schools? What do you think could be done to help them?  

We always want to hear how you feel about the topics and articles in the RSN Newsletter. We'd love to hear your opinion on this topic!  

Send your thoughts to rsn@jponline.com or post them in the Leadership forum in the Responsive School Network™.

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What, specifically, is "executive function?"

Near the onset of puberty, the prefrontal cortex area of the brain matures, which allows the execution of higher-level tasks. In short, executive function does in the brain what the CEO of a company must do - analyze, organize, decide and execute. The six steps identified as executive function are similar:

1. Analyze a task.
2. Plan how to address the task.
3. Organize the steps needed to carry the task out.
4. Develop timelines for completing the task.
5. Adjust or shift the steps, if necessary, to complete the task.
6. Complete the task in a timely manner.

What happens when a person has Executive Function Disorder?  

Someone who exhibits problems with executive functioning might have problems analyzing, planning, organizing, scheduling or completing tasks. In other words, children and adults with EFD never seem to measure up, no matter how hard they try.

What are the differences between EFD and ADD/ADHD, and why are the distinctions important?  

The most significant differences are in identification and treatment: 

• Individuals with EFD are often identified as learning disabled.  While they are often eligible for academic or behavioral support under an IEP, there are not currently any medical treatment options available.
   
• Individuals with ADD/ADHD  on the other hand are more accurately identified as having ADD/ADHD.  In addition, options for supporting individuals with ADD/ADHD include academic, behavioral, and medical treatments.

According to Dr. Martha Bridge Denckla, who is an expert on executive function disorder, "EFD can be a reflection of ADHD, but it might also indicate an LD."  

When a professional evaluation finds evidence of EFD, is is imperative the results of the finding are analyzed and clarified as resulting in ADD/ADHD or LD . Without this clarification, the student is unable to receive the appropriate treatment for his/her specific problem. Someone with EFD will most likely need tutoring and accommodations to overcome the challenges of learning, whereas someone with ADHD will benefit from behavioral support and/or medication options as indicated by their physicians..  

Sound confusing? It is! This article just scratches the surface in regards to EFD.  

If you are interested in learning more, including the signs and symptoms of both EFD and LD, click on the link below.  

What do you think about the difference between EFD and ADHD? Do you feel it is an important distinction that can addressed to help students struggling to learn? Please share your thoughts with us by clicking the engage button below - we want to hear what you think!