Executive Function is a composite of many skills, and they are not fully developed until one reaches one’s mid-twenties! These skills are important for everyday life but especially important for school and learning.
According to Peg Dawson and Richard Guare (2004), executive function is “a neuropsychological concept referring to the cognitive processes required to plan and direct activities, including task initiation and follow-through, working memory, sustained attention, performance monitoring, inhibition of impulses, and goal-directed persistence”.
Simply put, executive functioning involves everything required to be a successful student. Below is a breakdown of executive skills:
Response Inhibition (Do I think before I speak or act?)
Emotional Control (Can I monitor and adjust my emotional state?)
Task Initiation (Sometimes getting started is the hardest part.)
Organization (How long do I spend searching for what I need?)
Flexibility (Can I make a shift when things do not go as planned?)
Goal-directed Persistence (Do I have a realistic goal and work toward it?)
Working Memory (Do I have the short-term memory to apply to the tasks at hand?)
Sustained Attention (Can I focus long enough to complete a task?)
Planning/Prioritization (How DO I handle that mountain of work?)
Time Management (There’s no such thing as extra time!)
Metacognition (Am I aware of what I say to myself?)
Although the process of developing executive function does require brain development, these skills can also be taught and practiced. Working with a coach can be a helpful process to bridge the developmental gap.