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Types of neurodivergence that cause trouble with time management
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Kids don’t all develop time management skills at the same rate. Some kids take longer to develop skills like planning ahead and staying on top of things. Some kids may catch up with their classmates on their own. Others, like some kids who are neurodivergent, need more support to manage time.
For instance, compared with other kids, it might take a child with three times longer to read a novel. And kids who are struggling in school may also feel frustrated about tasks that are challenging for them. This may cause them to procrastinate or put off doing things.
No matter what’s causing trouble with time management, there are ways to help kids develop this skill. Look for patterns in the things your child has a hard time with. Work together with your child’s teacher to find strategies to help.
With the right support — and lots of practice — kids can get better at managing time.
What it is: Executive functions are a set of mental skills. These skills help the brain organize and act on information. Kids use these skills to get organized, plan, get started, and stay on task. Flexible thinking is part of executive function. A skill called working memory is part of it, too. Working memory is the ability to hold on to new information so we can use it in some way.
The time management connection: Kids who struggle with these skills often get sidetracked. Trouble with working memory, for example, makes it hard to keep information in mind long enough to plan and complete a task.
Kids who have trouble with flexible thinking might assume all tasks take the same amount of time. They can have trouble planning for new or complex tasks.
What it is: ADHD is a common condition that impacts focus and self-control. It’s closely linked to executive function.
The time management connection: Kids with ADHD have trouble with executive function — and the time management skills that come with them. Other ADHD symptoms can make it hard to manage time, too. Things like trouble sitting still and paying attention.
What it is: Dyscalculia is a learning difference that makes it hard to understand numbers and math concepts.
The time management connection: Kids with dyscalculia may have trouble reading a clock. They may also struggle to estimate how much time it takes to do things.
For example, when a teacher tells the class they have 20 minutes to complete a quiz, most kids have a “feel” for how much time that is. Kids with dyscalculia may not know how much time they have, which makes it hard for them to pace themselves.
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