What are executive functions?

Executive functions are a set of cognitive abilities, including working memory, flexible thinking and self-regulation. We depend on these skills every day for learning, working, and managing our daily lives.

Difficulties with executive function can make it hard to focus, follow instructions, regulate emotions, shift attention between tasks, organise belongings, manage time, recall what has just been read or heard and initiate or complete tasks, among other challenges.

Often called "the brain's management system," these skills enable us to set goals, plan and complete tasks. When someone has difficulties with executive function, it impacts all areas of their life. Weak executive function is commonly observed in individuals with attention-related difficulties.

Areas of executive functions

There are three main areas of executive function. They are:

Working memory
Cognitive flexibility (also called flexible thinking)
Inhibitory control (which includes self-control)

Executive function is responsible for many skills, including:

Paying attention
Organising, planning, and prioritising
Starting tasks and staying focused on them to completion
Understanding different points of view
Regulating emotions
Self-monitoring (keeping track of what you’re doing)

Executive function challenges

Trouble with executive function can affect people in different ways. The difficulties often look like the signs of ADHD. That is because ADHD is a problem with executive function.

People struggling with executive skills may:

Have trouble starting and/or completing tasks
Have difficulty prioritising tasks
Forget what they just heard or read
Have trouble following directions or a sequence of steps
Panic when rules or routines change
Have trouble switching focus from one task to another
Get overly emotional and fixate on things
Have trouble organising their thoughts
Have trouble keeping track of their belongings
Have trouble managing their time

Trouble with executive function isn’t a diagnosis or a learning disability. But it’s common in people who learn and think differently. Everyone with ADHD has trouble with it. And lots of people with learning challenges struggle with executive function, too.

These difficulties can cause trouble with learning. But they don’t mean that people are lazy or not intelligent. People who struggle with executive function are just as smart as other people. And they work just as hard.