What is Executive Functioning – How does it affect my child?

What is Executive Functioning – How does it affect my child?

​Executive functions let people plan, organize and complete tasks. Executive function is like the CEO of the brain. It’s in charge of making sure things get done from the planning stages of the job to the final deadline. When kids have issues with executive functioning, any task that requires planning, organization, memory, time management and flexible thinking becomes a challenge.

​What are executive functioning issues?

Executive functioning (E.F.) issues are weaknesses in a key set of mental skills; they often appear in kids with learning and attention issues.  We all use EF skills to organise and act on information.  IF a child’s E.F. is low (s)he may struggle with some or all of the following:

Impulse control:
Blurting out inappropriate stuff and perhaps acting impulsively

Emotional control:
May be guilty of overreacting  and finds it hard to keep emotions in check

Flexible thinking:  
Might find it hard to adapt thinking to another angle and adjust to the unexpected

Working memory:  
Might find it challenging to follow instructions and retain key information in the short term

Self monitoring:        
Helps to evaluate how we are doing, a child with weak EF might struggle with self-monitoring

Planning and prioritizing:
Helps one to know where to start on a project, what is most important and how to plan

Task initiation:
Helps a child to know where to start, otherwise they may not or simply freeze up

Organisation:  
Helps a kid keep track, kids with weak EF may lose their phones, jackets, shoes, homework etc.