Executive Function – What on Earth is that?

Atalia Cadranel: 21 February 2021

The term is splattered all around this website. It means distinctive things to different brains and in fact, means nothing to some. Are you curious?

When I first heard the term, I thought it was a sort of fancy function required to work in a business, I associated it with being able to function as an executive in a company. There is a smidgen of reality in terms of my initial assumption but I quickly realised it was a bit of a stretch. Being language sensitive, my ADHD brain quickly switched off because 'executive' and 'function' both sounded formal, technical, and boring to my brain. Language sensitivity is a real trait for some with ADHD.

However, given this was a term integral to the understanding of ADHD I was super interested, up for the challenge of probing, hyper focusing and making sense of it according to how I process.

My simplification goes something like this:

Executive Function in simple language is how we get things done.

And if only getting things done were as easy as my simplified definition. The front part of the brain called the prefrontal cortex is where all these get going and regulating processes are triggered. Neuroscience has been invaluable in uncovering that the prefrontal cortex is less developed or later in developing in some folk especially for those with ADHD and that means getting things done, (even stuff that’s obviously important) regulating processes is tough and can mean genuine struggles at home, school and work.

Here are a few of the skills affected by this part of the brain, called executive function:

• Task Initiation: the ability to crack on with doing something no matter what

• Organisation - keeping track of where you put things, having some kind of order

• Emotional Control – the ability to manage feelings

• Planning and Prioritisation – the ability to come up with the steps to meet a goal

• Impulse Control – the ability to pause before saying or doing or acting on something

• Working Memory – the ability to hold information and access it to do what's needed

These sound so uncomplicated to the typical mind, that tends to respond to the above with a variation of - just get up and do it and stop being lazy, just organise your room, just control the frustration, just take a calendar and plan, just think before you speak and just concentrate so you don't forget. Simple! No!

Sadly, given the science, this attitude is outdated, nonetheless this mindset continues to run rampant across all elements of society, creating untold anguish to the mental health of so many individuals who end up feeling guilt and shame that what we're told is basic, they just can't quite hack.

ADHD and lagging executive function are not a mental disorder but a structural disorder of a part of the brain – strategies exist to tighten lag in executive function together with medication that lead to a life of well-being and full self-actualisation. No quick fixes but real possibility given we also now know that the brain has neuroplasticity, meaning that with the right support it can learn new methods of performing based on tools and strategies that work for the individual.

You may be reading this, pondering, "I'm neurotypical and my organisation skills are a bit shabby" does that mean I'm ADHD or have weak executive function?" No not necessarily without looking at you as a whole, it probably means you, like everyone else, are unique, possessing your own set of traits, abilities, behaviors and priorities – if, however, your child (or you) seems to be struggling with basic functioning it's time to really notice, dig a little, understand and as needed get the right executive function support.

Remember, it's not that your kid won't, it's more likely, he can't.