One of the symptoms commonly associated with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is difficulties with executive functioning. The development of executive functions can be affected both positively and negatively by various circumstances in someone’s life. Executive dysfunction is characterised by a variety of symptoms that make it harder for someone to engage in things like planning and organisation. Finding the right help can help to overcome some of the issues someone may experience due to executive dysfunction.
What is executive functioning?
Executive functioning refers to the higher level abilities related to an individuals’ thoughts, behaviours, and feelings. These abilities relate to how we control our behaviour and organise other functions. Some important aspects of executive functioning include planning, organisation, monitoring, and cognitive flexibility.
What factors affect the development of executive functioning?
Executive functioning begins to develop from early childhood and continues to evolve into early adulthood (approximately age 30). However, several factors can inhibit or negatively impact the development of executive functioning skills including stressful events like abuse and neglect. On the other hand, other factors have the potential to positively impact executive functioning development including supportive families and teachers who can provide safe environments for learning and appropriate structure or scaffolding growth.
What is executive dysfunction?
Executive dysfunction is when people have difficulty with cognitive processes related to organisation, prioritisation, time management, emotional regulation, and decision making. Individuals with executive dysfunction typically struggle with establishing structures and strategies, particularly in regards to managing projects and figuring out the next steps moving forward.
Who develops executive dysfunction?
Executive dysfunction most often occurs in men and women with ADHD as well as other diagnoses such as depression, anxiety, and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Approximately 35-60% of children with ADHD have some level of impairment to executive functioning. This can often translate to difficulties at school and other areas that require this kind of cognitive ability. There are many strategies for supporting the development of executive functioning and providing help within the home and school settings.
Executive dysfunction symptoms
The exact symptoms of executive dysfunctions can look different and vary for different adults and children. However, there are some common symptoms that tend to manifest.
Difficulty paying attention
One symptom of executive dysfunction is difficulty paying attention for a prolonged period of time. This is a common symptom related to ADHD and ties into many of the other symptoms of executive dysfunction.
Self-control issues
Part of executive functioning includes impulse control. When someone suffers from executive dysfunction, they may find it difficult to pause and think before committing to an action. This may lead to them interrupting people, making rash decisions before they have considered the consequences, or engaging in risky behaviours. Avoiding these impulses takes more effort for them, which leads them with less energy to concentrate or remember other things.
Easily distracted and forgetful
Executive dysfunction affects both the focus and the working memory of an individual. This means that in addition to making it hard to concentrate on a specific topic, it also makes it harder to retain information while completing tasks. All of this manifests as things like forgetting instructions, losing track of conversations, and misplacing important items.
Impatience
Executive dysfunction is partially characterised by individuals having problems with waiting. This ties into impulse control and emotional dysregulation.
Organisational issues
The ability to plan and navigate multi-step tasks and track multiple responsibilities at the same time significantly affected executive dysfunction. Individuals typically struggle with task prioritisation, information organisation, and the creation of clear plans. It also extends to difficulty with keeping personal belongings and workspaces properly organised.
Get help with executive dysfunction
At Bowyer Psychology, we have several Clinical Neuropsychologists available who can conduct a comprehensive assessment of ADHD and executive functioning difficulties and provide scaffolding strategies and intervention for supporting executive functioning. If this is something you feel you would like support with, please submit an enquiry or email/call our friendly administration team!
