Executive functioning refers to mental skills that develop over time. Executive function skills include the following.
- Following directions
- Sustaining attention
- Planning and foresight
- Organization
- Follow-through (perseverance)
- Impulse control
- Ability to self-regulate appropriately
- Mental flexibility
- Working Memory
- Emotional Regulation
Neurodivergent children and adults (ADHD, Autism, dyslexia, etc) often have challenges with executive functioning.
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Executive Function as the Conductor
The area of the brain responsible for executive function skills is the prefrontal cortex or the “executive center” of the brain. This executive function center can be compared to the conductor of an orchestra.
For example, in an orchestra, the conductor regulates the timing and intensity of the string, percussion, and brass sections. Without their direction, the sound of the instruments will be nothing but a disastrous cacophony.
Likewise, without a well-developed executive center of the brain, neurodivergent adults and children struggle with various executive function skills.
In neurodivergent people (ADHD, Autism), these executive function challenges can look like the following.
- Behavioral challenges
- Disorganization
- Task or ADHD paralysis
- Oppositional behavior or demand avoidance
- Impulsivity
- Emotional and anger outbursts
- Constant talking
- Messy bedrooms, backpacks, homes, or vehicles
- Speaking “without thinking”
- Repeating the same mistakes over and over again
- Forgetting to turn in assignments
- Poor time management
- Zoning out
- Anxiety
- Sleep problems
For more about the different types and presentations of the ADHD-type brain (in both ADHD and Autism), check out the 7 Types of ADHD.
Prefrontal Cortex and Executive Function Skills
Human babies are born without a developed brain. The brain develops from the bottom and grows outward and upward.
- Place your hand on your forehead,
- Right behind your hand/skull is the prefrontal cortex
The prefrontal cortex is the very LAST part of the brain to develop. It does NOT develop until the 3rd decade of life. (Yes. You read that correctly.)
The pre-frontal cortex is responsible for controlling executive functions. But it does not fully develop until approximately 25 years of age.
Poor emotional self-regulation, impulsivity, organizational skills, etc should be expected from younger children and, quite frankly, older kids.
Let’s be honest. We both know many adults who still struggle with poor behavior in response to difficult emotions, right?
This is why we must re-examine expectations of children’s behavior. Doing so will better set us up for healthy expectations and end power struggles.
ADHD, Autism, and Executive Functioning
Inherent to ADHD and Autism are challenges with executive functioning.
ADHD is not a lack of attention at all. On the contrary, one of the major problems with the ADHD brain is too much attention… to everything.
Specifically, ADHD is better explained as challenges with the regulation of attention and emotions.
Because 50-70% of Autistic people have a co-occurring ADHD diagnosis, it’s not surprising that autistic children struggle with executive function challenges.
Support Behavior With an Executive Function Lens
Understanding executive function challenges can make a huge difference in approaching your child’s (or your own) needs.
1. Aggressive Behavior and Anger
Rather than implementing ineffective punishments, you can approach aggressive behavior using effective neurodiversity-affirming anger management strategies.
2. Electronic Devices
Say your child struggles to transition from an electronic device or other preferred activity. Understanding hyperfocus can help you better help them with transitions.
3. Challenges with Schoolwork
Many children and adults with executive function challenges have difficulty focusing. Additionally, they often have unique sensory needs. Using appropriate sensory activities before sitting down for schoolwork can make all the difference.
4. Emotional Meltdowns
Emotional regulation, or the ability to appropriately manage emotions, is an executive function skill that takes decades to develop. According to Dr. Russell Barkely, challenges with emotional regulation are a hallmark sign of ADHD.
Unfortunately, children are often expected to suppress emotions in a way that hurts them into adulthood. Adult ADHD is more prevalent than you may think.
Having an arsenal of emotional regulation activities is an excellent way to support your child’s growing EF skills.
The point is that understanding the root issue behind behavior, specifically executive functioning difficulties, is the first step to moving forward well.
Healthy Expectations for Behavior
Specifically, healthy expectations allow you to have more compassion for your child. That compassion will better equip you to help your child develop emotional regulation skills.
Further, when your child experiences your support and understanding, their expectations of themselves become healthier. This will allow them to have compassion for themselves in the face of their mistakes.
This, in turn, can improve mental health outcomes that will serve their emotional state in their everyday life.
Recap: What is Executive Functioning?
Executive functioning skills are housed in the prefrontal cortex of the brain. This part of the brain doesn’t develop fully until closer to the age of 25 years old. For neurodivergent folks, that age is believed to be closer to age 30.
These self-control skills develop over time and do so with great fluidity. Ebbing and flowing over time. Understanding EF skills can better support neurodivergent parents and kids navigate behavioral and emotional challenges for long-term success.
So, friend. How has learning more about ADHD, autism, and executive functions helped you and your family?
