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encountering specific situations at home or at work. Makes impulsive decisions and judgments.

• “Shoots from the hip” when arriving at conclusions or decisions. Doesn’t use a structured approach to weigh options. Has difficulty generating strategies to acquire/use information and solve problems. • Approaches situations without a game plan, acting without a guiding set of principles.

“Other Difficulties” Characteristics What It Looks Like in an Adult Has problems with attention, which may be accompanied by hyperactivity, distractibility, or passivity. • Doesn’t focus on a task for an appropriate length of time. • Can’t seem to get things done. • Does better with short tasks. Displays poor organization skills. Doesn’t know where to begin tasks or how to proceed.

• Doesn’t work within time limits, failing to meet deadlines. • Workspace and personal space are messy. Has eye-hand coordination problems.

• Omits or substitutes elements when copying information from one place to another, as in invoices or schedules. Demonstrates poor fine motor control, usually accompanied by poor handwriting.

• Avoids jobs requiring manipulation of small items. • Becomes frustrated when putting together toys for children. Lacks social perception.

• Stands too close to people when conversing. • Doesn’t perceive situations accurately. • May laugh when something serious is happening or slap an unreceptive boss on the back in an attempt to be friendly. Has problems establishing social relationships. Problems may be related to spoken language disorders. • Does not seem to know how to act and what to say to people in specific social situations and may withdraw from socializing. Lacks “executive functions” including self-motivation, self-reliance, self -advocacy, and goal setting.

• Demonstrates over reliance on others for assistance or fails to ask for help when appropriate. • Blames external factors on lack of success. • Doesn’t set personal goals and work