Executive Functioning Notes

What is Executive Functioning?

Executive functions serve a "command and control" function, acting as the "conductor" of cognitive skills.
They help manage life tasks, such as organizing trips or projects.
Problems with executive functioning often manifest as disorganization, but this is just one aspect.
The focus on executive functioning represents an advancement in understanding individuals' strengths and weaknesses.

Executive functions are processes for managing oneself and resources to achieve a goal.
It's an umbrella term for neurologically-based skills involving mental control and self-regulation.

Researchers and practitioners have varying lists, but the concept is the same.
The list proposed by Drs. Gerard A. Gioia, Peter K. Isquith, Steven C. Guy, and Lauren Kenworthy is used.
Their research led to a rating scale for understanding a child's executive functions and how to help.

Examining life with weak executive functioning clarifies how these skills affect our ability to manage tasks.
Example: Robin, who struggles with executive skills despite efforts to improve.

Robin is invited to a family reunion in Merryville, Missouri, by her Aunt Sue.
Robin impulsively agrees without checking her family's schedule.
She fails to write down the details and can't remember them later.
Her husband repeatedly reminds her to get the information.
Eventually, her husband forces her to call, causing him annoyance due to the short notice for vacation.
Robin vaguely thinks about trip preparations but doesn't act.
She piles clothes and supplies into the van haphazardly.
On the departure, her family realizes that they haven't arranged care for the cats, nearly derailing the trip.
They find a neighbor to care for the cats.
Robin doesn't know the route to Missouri, assuming that heading west is sufficient.
She has no map or reservations and hasn't planned for cash needs.
Her husband expresses frustration at her lack of organization.

List of executive functions from Dr. Gioia and his colleagues with examples from the case study of Robin.

The ability to stop one's own behavior at the appropriate time, including stopping actions and thoughts.
The flip side of inhibition is impulsivity.
Robin answering "Of course we'll be there!" without checking the calendar is an example of lacking inhibition.

The ability to move freely from one situation to another and to think flexibly in order to respond appropriately to the situation.
Robin being unable to quickly solve the problem of who would watch the cars is an example of lacking ability to shift.

The ability to modulate emotional responses by bringing rational thought to bear on feelings.
Robin's anger when confronted about her impulsivity is an example of lacking emotional control.

The ability to begin a task or activity and to independently generate ideas, responses, or problem-solving strategies.
Robin's failure to call and check the dates until prompted by her husband is an example of lacking initiation.

The capacity to hold information in mind for completing a task.
Robin's inability to remember the reunion dates long enough to write them down is an example of poor working memory.

The ability to manage current and future oriented task demands.
Robin's lack of systematic thinking about what the family needs for the trip is an example of lacking planning/organization.

The ability to impose order on work, play, and storage spaces.
Robin's haphazard piling of items into the car, without checklists or consideration for accessibility, exemplifies difficulty with the organization of materials.

The ability to monitor one's own performance and to measure it against some standard of what is needed or expected.
Robin's failure to understand her husband's upset despite the lack of planning demonstrates a lack of self-monitoring.
Executive functions are diverse but related skills.
Understanding which skills are problematic and to what degree is important.