Executive functioning abilities are the higher-level abilities that direct an individuals’ thoughts, behaviours, and feelings. These abilities control our behaviour and organise other functions include aspects such as planning, organisation, monitoring, and cognitive flexibility.
Executive functioning begins to develop from early childhood and continues to evolve into early adulthood (approximately aged thirty). Several factors can negatively impact the development of executive functioning including stressful events such as abuse and neglect. Factors that positively impact executive functioning development include supportive families and teachers who can provide safe environments for learning and appropriate structure/scaffolding.
Executive functioning difficulties can look different for every child and may include:
- Difficulty paying attention
- Difficulty with self-control
- Easily distracted and forgetful
- Trouble waiting their turn
- Problems organising time and materials
These difficulties can occur in individuals with ADHD as well as other diagnoses including depression, anxiety, and ASD. Children with ADHD have a higher likelihood than other children to have difficulties with executive functioning with approximately 35-60% having impairment of executive functioning. These difficulties may contribute to more difficulties at school and across other areas of functioning.
There are many strategies for supporting the development of executive functioning and providing help within the home and school settings. At Bowyer Psychology, we have several Clinical Neuropsychologists available who can conduct 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!
