Help Explaining Executive Dysfunction to Neurotypicals

The better we understand ourselves, the better we can help others understand

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To my fellow neurodivergents,

It can be so frustrating to be misunderstood. This frustration can be compounded when we don’t know how to explain something in a way that others who don’t have the same experience can understand.

It’s an awful feeling to be struggling and have people we care about assume we’re just not trying hard enough. I hope the information in this booklet helps you conceptualize or formulate how you want to explain your experience.

Of course, executive functioning challenges (and any struggle) will be different for everyone, but my hope is to empower you with knowledge. Please take what works for you and fits with your experience, and feel free to leave the rest.

I believe the better we understand ourselves, the better we’re able to explain our experiences to others.

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What are executive functions (EFs)?

There are many different definitions of executive functions in the literature, most of which say essentially the same thing using a lot of jargon-laden terminology.

In essence, EFs are a complex set of cognitive (mental) tasks or abilities which allow us to exert skills such as impulse control, strategic planning, organization, cognitive flexibility, and goal-directed behaviour.

EFs can generally be broken down into five categories:

1. Impulse Control (inhibition)

2. Cognitive Flexibility

3. Working Memory

4. Organization and Planning

5. Emotional Regulation