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Executive Function Skills: Managing and Organizing Life
By Carol S. Siege, PCC
Founder, Family Pathways Coaching, LLC
Years ago, one of my sons complained that he lost points on his math grade not because he provided wrong answers, but because he regularly failed weekly binder checks. His teacher was trying to help her students develop organizational skills by requiring tidy binders, with all assignments, notes and tests kept neatly in date order. But my son was the kid whose backpack, locker, and bedroom were more akin to a trash heap than a well-ordered binder.
Sure, his teacher was right to instruct her students on the importance of organization, but she didn’t consider that students with ADHD – and even some who do not have ADHD – struggle mightily with executive function skills like organization. Just asking her students to be neat would not help those whose brains are wired differently.
And ADHD brains are wired differently.
Longstanding research has shown reduced blood flow to the brain’s prefrontal cortex in ADHD people, as well as lower dopamine levels and inefficient networking connectivity. That translates to delayed development in decision making, planning skills, and emotional regulation; differences in motivation and attention; and overall less efficient communication within the brain.
None of this means people with ADHD are less intelligent than others, but it does mean that crucial executive function skills develop much later and may require specific learning methods. (And patience, of course!)
Executive function skills help us organize, manage, and master our lives. They help us know how to start a task, structure a project, and sustain focus in order to complete a job. They also affect working memory, processing speed, and flexible thinking, along with the ability to regulate our emotions and keep track of our daily responsibilities.
Deficits in executive function skills can cause a person to be constantly late if they don’t recognize the passage of time. It can cause a child to avoid homework because they don’t know how to get started. And it can explain why your 12-year-old – who really has the emotional maturity of an eight-year-old -- is throwing a tantrum.
But there are ways to support your child.
- Initiation:
Starting a task requires more than just sitting down and getting going. It first requires that your child transition out of whatever they were doing, preparing mentally for the shift, and then knowing what to do. To help your child, start by developing a transition plan like giving a five minute warning or creating a consistent routine. Be sure to explain the plan fully with your child, though, so they understand what the warning means and you know they have heard. And then confirm your child is clear about what they need to accomplish. Some children benefit from talking through the task, others appreciate a checklist. Take time to figure out what works best for your child.
- Planning & Organizing:
In order to manage a project, we need to know all of the steps required to complete the job. This step can be difficult for a person with ADHD who struggles with working memory delays, so start by breaking down the project into manageable tasks. Instead of directing your child to go write that English essay they’ve been avoiding, come up with a plan of action that highlights the necessary steps. You can help your child create a checklist, add reminders to a calendar, or just block a specific time of day to work on a specific project. The key is developing a reliable formula that avoids the overwhelm that comes from too large a project and also helps your child learn to prioritize tasks.
- Attention Regulation:
In his influential book, “Taking Charge of ADHD,” renowned researcher and author Russell A. Barkley explains: “ADHD is not a disorder of knowing what to do. It is a disorder of doing what you know.” People with ADHD can attend to tasks, but they struggle to stay focused when a subject isn’t of immediate importance or interest. That’s why your child can stay glued to the big game but can’t stay focused on their homework. Peer-reviewed research has shown that people with ADHD can improve their ability to focus with both movement and music. Activities that require both physical exertion and mindful connection, like martial arts or dance, are most successful, although regular exercise is shown to increase overall focus by reducing stress and increasing energy levels. And taking breaks for short bursts of exercise – like jumping jacks – can immediately increase focus for up to an hour.
If you or someone you know is struggling with a child who can’t seem to get – and keep – going, reach out. As a Certified Professional Coach with expertise supporting parents of neurodiverse children, I can help you see life really can be so much better. Follow me today on Facebook, LinkedIn or Instagram.
