What is Executive Functioning?

Executive functioning skills are mental processes that help individuals plan, organize, and carry out tasks. These skills are crucial for managing daily life, learning, and working.

Does ADHD affect executive function?

Yes, ADHD significantly impacts executive function. In fact, executive dysfunction is a core symptom of ADHD, and the brain regions involved in executive functions are often smaller, less developed, or less active in individuals with ADHD. This can lead to difficulties with various cognitive processes, including attention, focus, organization, planning, time management, and self-regulation.

What are the 12 executive functions of the brain?

Attention: The ability to focus on a task and filter out distractions.
Cognitive Flexibility: The ability to adapt to changing situations, adjust plans, and switch between tasks or activities.
Emotional Control: The ability to regulate emotions and manage feelings appropriately in different situations.
Emotional Regulation: The ability to manage one's feelings effectively for decision-making and task completion.
Inhibition/Self-Control: The ability to stop or delay an action, especially when it's not appropriate or necessary. The ability to resist impulses and manage one's behavior in accordance with goals and expectations.
Metacognition: The ability to think about one's own thinking, self-monitor, and evaluate one's own learning and strategies.
Organization: The ability to structure and arrange information, materials, and tasks in a systematic way.
Planning: The ability to set goals, develop strategies, and create steps to achieve those goals.
Problem Solving: The ability to identify problems, analyze them, and develop solutions.
Task Initiation: The ability to start tasks, overcome procrastination, and begin actions without external prompts.
Time Management: The ability to organize time, prioritize tasks, and allocate time effectively.
Working Memory: The ability to hold information in mind and manipulate it while performing a task.