Everything You Never Wanted To Know About Executive Functions
Because you didn’t know what they were, or even that they existed, so how could you want to know about them?
I wish I had known
I have two degrees in field of psychology and I graduated without knowing what executive functions are, or even that they exist. I didn’t learn about executive functions until my son was diagnosed with ADHD, a decade after I had completed my second degree.
Before my son was diagnosed, I had a picture in my head of what ADHD is, probably similar to the average person who doesn’t know a lot about it. I pictured a little kid (usually a white boy) who was fidgety, couldn’t sit still, and was very easily distracted.
I thought having ADHD meant you couldn’t focus for long periods of time and were hyperactive, and that was about it. This seems to be a fairly common belief amongst people (and even professionals) who don’t know much about ADHD beyond the surface — and really, beyond stereotypes.
Now that I do know…
Funny thing, ADHD is highly heritable, meaning it’s easily passed on through genetics. So if your child is diagnosed with ADHD and it feels like a surprise, well… you may want to look a little closer at their parents (yeah, you, or your child’s other parent).
My son was diagnosed in April of 2019 at the age of six. I was diagnosed six months later… at the age of 36. I went through six years of related post-secondary education, and two decades working in the field of mental health and social services, without realizing that I have ADHD.
Why?
Because the professional fields of education, social services, and psychology do a shit job of properly informing their graduates about ADHD, Autism, and other divergent neurotypes — with (some) clinical psychologists and school psychologists perhaps being the exception, since they are specifically trained to assess for ADHD and Autism.
I can say this today with confidence, even though I graduated nearly 15 years ago. I continue to encounter many professionals, including teachers and psychologists, who had a very poor understanding of ADHD and Autism, despite their many years of post-secondary education.
To help people learn about executive functions (EFs) in an accessible way, I have compiled and categorized all of my articles about the various EFs.
1) Inhibition
(or lack thereof)
Impulsivity: It’s a neurodivergent thing.
“What were you thinking?!” Impulsivity explained: A relatable guide for those who don’t understand neurodiversity and impulsivity. Many adults assume children’s behaviour is intentional, willful, even pre-meditated. Not likely.
Impulsivity: It’s A Neurodivergent Thing.
2) Cognitive flexibility
Cognitive flexibility describes ways of thinking and planning which allow us to switch between tasks and adapt to changing environments.
Its opposite, cognitive rigidity, can lead to a number of issues.
ADHD paralysis
The term ADHD paralysis is a way of naming a complex process so that those of us with ADHD who experience this don’t feel alone.
ADHD paralysis stems from executive dysfunction, and I explain exactly how and why that is.
Autistic inertia
What it is and what we can do to overcome it.
Similar to ADHD paralysis, Autistic inertia arises from executive functioning (EF) difficulties which can cause us to become both physically and mentally “stuck”; unable to move forward, start something new, or to switch to something different.
Teaching kids mental flexibility
What is it, and how do we get better at it?
Helping our children see shades of grey and improve cognitive adaptability.
When our kids jump to conclusions, or are engaging in rigid thinking, it’s our natural instinct to use logic to try and explain away what we perceive as inaccurate reasoning.
Unfortunately this approach often backfires.
Teaching Kids Mental Flexibility
2b) Hyperfocus
(A sometimes positive side-effect of cognitive rigidity)
Being neurodivergent comes with quite a few challenges, and I’ve written extensively about many of them, but a few of my stories have touched on some of the aspects of being neurodivergent I find to be positive.
Hyperfocus: Executive dysfunction done right.
3) Working memory
That term object permanence does not mean what you think it means.
I have seen, heard, and read a lot of ADHD-related content that is still circulating this misconception that we struggle with object permanence.
What they’re really describing is challenges with working memory, a form of short-term memory often impacted by ADHD and other divergent neurotypes.
If You Can Read This, You Do Not Have Problems With Object Permanence
4) Organization
Tips for teaching children to keep their rooms tidy — or at least less messy.
I’ve read comments like these online and have heard them directly from parents so many times. Exasperated, they ask me, “why can’t they just clean their room when I ask them?!”
Helping Our Kids Get (a little) More Organized
4b) Time management
Under the umbrella of organization are executive functions such as planning, prioritization, and time management.
How to focus and get sh!t done
Easy strategies anyone can use to improve their focus, from an ADHDer.
I’ve been a highly successful entrepreneur for 13 years now, and I’ve been writing for 9.
I started my first business in 2010 and didn’t find out I have ADHD until 2019, so I spent 9 years as a successful business person with undiagnosed and untreated ADHD.
Simple Yet Effective Ways To Get Sh!t Done
Time blindness explained
Time blindness is difficulty recognizing or estimating the amount of time which has passed. It can also cause difficulty estimating how long it will take to complete a task.
5) Emotional regulation
Emotional dysregulation is a significant symptom of ADHD, Autism, and other divergent neurotypes — and one which is the least understood.
Before dedicating myself to learning more about ADHD, Autism, and executive functions, I had no idea that emotional dysregulation was part of these neurotypes.
Emotional dysregulation has such a significant impact on our lives: relationships, jobs, school, mental health, and quality of life in general.
This is a subject about which I have written extensively for these reasons, and because it’s one of the most common reasons people contact me for support.
ADHD, Autism, And Emotions
Why do Autistics and people with ADHD seem to get worked up so easily?
Why do we seem to be more “sensitive” than others, more emotional, or hot-tempered? I explain why neurodivergent folks often struggle with dysregulation.
Emotion in motion
A series of stories about emotions and emotion regulation.
I wrote a flurry of stories about emotional dysregulation and co-regulation, which prompted me to compile those related stories to make them easier to find.
Interoception and emotional regulation
Another aspect of emotional regulation which does not seem to be common knowledge, even among professionals, is that interoception (our awareness of the signals coming from within our bodies) has a significant impact on our ability to recognize and regulate our emotions.
I explain why it’s so important to know how our emotions physically feel in your body.
Have you ever been surprised by the sudden intensity of your own emotions? One minute you thought you were calm, cool, and collected, and the next you were flying off the handle? …Just me, then?
(Hopefully not just me).
Recognizing How Emotions Feel Physically In Our Bodies
It’s all in your head
Where else would it be?
For those reading who are not Autistic or ADHD, and have trouble understanding why a neurodivergent person can’t just “try harder”. ADHD, Autism, and other divergent neurotypes impact every facet of our lives.
The prefix neuro — means “of the nervous system”. The entire thing. So when people say it’s all in our heads, they’re kind of right because our brains are wired differently, but it doesn’t stop there.
Our nervous system controls our movements, thoughts, and automatic responses to the world around us. That’s a lot.
© Jillian Enright, Neurodiversity MB
Learn more
Executive Functions for Parents And Kids
Executive Functions In The Classroom
Strategies for Managing Executive Functioning Challenges for Kids
Strategies for Managing Executive Functioning Challenges for Adults
Small self-promotion
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