What Is Executive Function Disorder?

“The management system of the brain.” Executive function is a set of mental skills that include working memory, flexible thinking, and self-control. We use these skills every day to learn, work, and manage daily life. It helps us to set goals, plan, and get things done. When people struggle with executive function, it impacts them at home, in school, and in life. Trouble with executive function can make it hard to focus, follow directions, and handle emotions, among other things

There are three main areas of executive function.

Working Memory

Cognitive flexibility (Also called flexible thinking)

Inhibitory control (self-control)

Executive function is responsible for many skills, including:

• Paying attention

• Organizing, planning, and prioritizing

• Starting tasks and staying focused on them to completion

• Understanding different points of view

• Regulating emotions

• Self-monitoring (keeping track of what you’re doing)

Signs of executive function challenges

Trouble with executive function 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, people 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

• Thought organization

• Keeping track of their belongings

• Trouble with time management.

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.

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 learning mathematical skills.

Testing should be done as part of a full evaluation that looks at many areas of learning and thinking. These evaluations, which schools do for free, are often done by psychologists. But there are other types of professionals who do this type of testing.

Some of these same professionals offer treatments and approaches like:

Behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Behavior therapy helps people replace negative behaviors with positive ones. CBT helps kids deal with thoughts and feelings and manage behavior.

 

How Can Speech Therapy & Beyond Help?

Organizational skills and time management tips as well as creating an environment programmed for success can be taught and reinforced. Executive Function Disorder  remediation process takes place in the individual’s home or place of work.

Are you ready to begin online speech therapy?  Click here to get started

Program Highlights Include:

• Prioritizing tasks

• Setting goals

• Increasing attention and promoting mindfulness

• Improving listening and organization skills

• Learning to take initiative and balance priorities

• Building confidence

Intensive Program Frequency of Services Recommended:

This individualized program entails a high intensity approach (much like a bootcamp), offered for 3 sessions per week for 45-minutes, for 6 weeks. Executive Functioning skills are critical for academic success, play a key role in social interaction and impact both oral and written communication.

For more information schedule an introductory call to chat with a team member.

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