You may have heard of the term “executive functioning” and wondered what that meant. Executive functioning refers to a broad group of mental skills that enable people to complete tasks and interact with others. These skills include working memory, planning, organization, problem solving, shifting, controlling emotions and behavior, and response inhibition. Essentially they refer to an individual’s “doing skills”. These are skills that we use everyday such as:
Making plans
Keep tracking of time and finish work on time
Keeping track of more than one thing at once
Evaluating ideas and reflecting on one’s own work
Asking for help or seeking more information when needed
Making mid-course corrections while thinking, reading or writing
These skills are typically more difficult for a child, adolescent or adult with ADHD who usually already struggles with forgetfulness, losing things or an inability to focus. Therefore, carrying out executive functioning skills can be very challenging for those with ADHD. In addition to individuals with ADHD, executive functioning challenges are also common in other mental health disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).
So how can executive functioning skills be improved? There are many strategies that can be implemented to help improve difficulties experienced due to weaknesses in executive functioning. Some of these include:
Using visuals (e.g., white erase board) to jot down morning routines/chores/etc.
Utilizing simple planners to keep track of assignments/due dates/deadline
Setting timers to assist with time-management
Setting alarms to hep with remembering daily activities (e.g., taking medication, getting up in the morning, etc.)
How can a neuropsychological/psychological evaluation help if I think that I/my child has executive functioning difficulties? An evaluation can help identify executive functioning weaknesses through formal assessment of these skills using neuropsychological tests created to measure executive functions (e.g., working memory, cognitive flexibility, planning/organization, etc.). Additionally, individuals, parents/caregivers, and/or teachers are also asked to complete rating scales to assess the individual’s executive functioning skills. Lastly, careful observation of executive functioning skills (e.g., approach to a task) is also conducted throughout the evaluation process. All of this information is collected and analyzed to determine if there are weaknesses in executive functioning and more importantly what specific areas of executive functioning are impacted. Given the complexity of executive functioning, it is not uncommon for an individual to have weaknesses in only some executive functions.