The term "executive functioning" is very popular nowadays. Doctors use this term to explain
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. The term comes from researchers who study child development.
These researchers think there is a part of the brain that controls many activities. This part of the brain
is like the boss of these activities, which is where the term "executive" comes from. Executive functioning
does not involve just one thing. Instead, it describes lots of related things.
Executive functioning gives us the ability to:
Plan ahead
Focus on something (even if it is really boring)
Stop doing one thing and start doing another
Not do something we really want to do
Wait patiently
Remember something for a short while
Do math or word problems in our head
Problem solve
Monitor our own behavior
Some people, like people with ADHD, struggle with executive functioning. These people may:
Struggle waiting in line
Struggle waiting their turn in a game
Blurt out answers
Interrupt conversations
Lose things, struggle to find things
Get places late
Rush through work
Frequently get out of their seat
Become frustrated when focusing is required
Talk loudly
Not be organized
For information about helping children with executive
functioning problems, click here.
