Executive function is a set of brain neurological skills that include working memory, flexible thinking, and self-control. These skills are part of our daily life tasks such as learning, working, and managing.
Students with executive have problems focusing, following directions, and handling emotions.
The executive function guides us to set up our goals, plan, and manage our lives through brain neurons.
The executive function troubles impact students’ life in school, and at home.
The three main areas of executive function are working memory, cognitive, flexibility (also called flexible thinking), and Inhibitory control (which includes self-control).
Executive Function: Signs of Excutive Function Challenges
Students with executive function troubles have difficulties similar to the signs of ADHD. can affect people in different ways. The difficulties often look like the signs of ADHD. That’s because ADHD is a problem with executive function.
Students struggling with executive skills may:
- Have trouble starting and/or completing tasks
- Have difficulty prioritizing tasks
- Forget what they just heard or read
- Have trouble following directions or a sequence of steps
- Panic when rules or routines change
- Have trouble switching focus from one task to another
- Get overly emotional and fixate on things
- Have trouble organizing their thoughts
- Have trouble keeping track of their belongings
- Have trouble managing their time
The trouble with executive function isn’t a diagnosis or a learning disability. But it’s common in people who learn and think differently. Everyone with ADHD has trouble with it. And lots of people with learning challenges struggle with executive function, too.
These difficulties can cause trouble with learning. But they don’t mean that people are lazy or not intelligent. People who struggle with executive function are just as smart and work just as hard as other people.
Possible Cause of Executive Function Challenges
here’s been a lot of research into what causes trouble with executive function and ADHD. Here are two main factors.
1. Differences in brain development. Researchers have looked at executive function in the brain. They’ve found that certain areas of the brain develop more slowly in people who struggle with executive skills. These areas are responsible for working memory and emotional control.
2. Genes and heredity. People who have trouble with executive function often have family members who do, too.
Also, trouble with executive function often occurs with learning challenges.
Learning disabilities don’t always involve a problem with executive function. But it’s not uncommon for kids with dyslexia or dyscalculia, for example, to also have difficulty with executive skills. Learn how problems with executive function can impact reading and math.
Slow processing speed isn’t a problem with executive function. But it can cause trouble with it. Learn more about slow processing speed.