Defining Executive Functioning Skills for ADHD

Did you know six million kids were diagnosed with ADHD between 2016-2019? ADHD can impact a child’s ability to learn due to their executive dysfunction.

Understanding how to manage this will help you and your child. If you’d like to learn more, keep reading. In this guide, well go over ways your child’s executive functioning skills for ADHD become affected.

Check out our tips below.

Defining Executive Dysfunction

Executive dysfunction is an impairment in focus, organization, time management, and memory-related skills.

This dysfunction disrupts skills kids use to manage these high-level thoughts. The dysfunction can cause difficulties with finishing or starting tasks. Others struggle with evaluating or processing new information.

Some people will struggle with controlling impulses or behaviors. Balancing a few tasks at the same time or problem-solving isn’t straightforward.

Also, some people will face difficulties with planning for their future. Discounting future rewards is a symptom of executive dysfunction.

What Are Some Consequences?

Kids with executive dysfunction will face many difficulties. They might find it challenging to meet academic goals. Others might have a hard time with mood regulation or self-esteem.

Procrastination is another significant roadblock kids with executive dysfunction face.

The reality is that left untreated, these consequences will worsen as the child ages. They will leave the safety nest of home, and eventually get a full-time job and family.

Learning how to cope with their executive dysfunction now will help them down the road.

Diagnosing and Treating Executive Dysfunction

Different from ADHD, executive dysfunction is not listed in the DSM. It can be evaluated.

You can use the Stroop Test. People get asked to identify the color of a word they spell a different color.

If the person can identify that the word blue’s colored in red, it shows they can avoid an automatic response. They don’t automatically think blue. They can focus their attention on the specific task.

Some other tests include sorting cards in categories or correctly drawing clocks. These tests will assess your organization and planning skills.

EF impairments will affect a person’s daily life, like budgeting, cooking, and prioritizing.

A medical doctor will do another test to look for an underlying medical condition like ADHD. You might go to a specialist who will investigate if a learning disability is present.

You might also need to get an MRI to see if you have a tumor or other signs of concern.

If you wonder whether your child has ADHD, contact your primary healthcare provider. They will go through a series of questions and neuropsychology measures.

The professional will look for criteria involving hyperactivity and inattention.

During the meeting, your doctor will look for signs of executive dysfunction, including completing work or avoiding mental effort. They investigate if your child has difficulty sustaining their attention or losing items.

Some professionals will even use the term executive function disorder. However, this is not a particular condition but is affected by other states.

People with dementia, ADHD, Parkinson’s, or learning disabilities will have EF issues.

Different Brain Regions

People with ADHD have noticeable differences in the prefrontal cortex region of their brains. This is the region of the brain responsible for affecting EF skills.

Children often have a hard time shifting between different tasks or controlling responses. EF deficits might cause issues requiring support in people with ADHD.

Those with few issues might have a hidden EF issue needing further examination.

Treating Executive Dysfunction

If your child’s experiencing executive dysfunction along with their diagnosis, talk to your doctor.

Your doctor could prescribe antidepressants or stimulants. CBT is another option to treat EF issues. This therapy will provide a new way of thinking that leads to better behaviors.

You can always try a few methods at home, as well. For example, intense exercise for 15 minutes has many cognitive benefits. People often report having improved focus and attention span after exercising.

There is another technique called the Pomodoro technique. During this method, you will work for a set amount of time before taking a break.

People will usually work for 25 minutes and then take a short break. You will return to complete another chunk of work time.

Break your goals into small and concrete steps. Think about how you can exercise more or become more organized. You can also get into the habit of making action items.

You could also use visual prompts to help you start a project. Tools are also helpful for focus. You can use your calendar to alert you about an upcoming project or plan.

Use your phone to remind you of an upcoming work project or coffee date.

How Did the Pandemic Affect Students?

The global pandemic interrupted everyone’s regular activities. Students all over the world didn’t have the same exposure to the school environment and activities.

At school, they were in an environment to develop critical executive functioning skills. Since there was such a delay in getting back to school, some children didn’t develop the appropriate skills.

If your child has some delays with their executive functioning skills, don’t worry. You can contact an ADHD coach to help you make a plan. You and your child’s coach can figure out a roadmap for your child’s challenges.

How Do Kids Develop Executive Functioning Skills?

The EF skills will begin developing in a person’s prefrontal cortex. This region of the brain will create connections from your learning and experience. The relationships start during infancy and expand as a person ages.

Students can grow and nurture their executive functioning skills. provide students with experiences and opportunities to develop new connections during critical developmental stages.

Students can learn and build their EF skills in a safe and supportive environment.

Teaching Executive Functioning Skills

Similar to exercising your body, students also need to exercise and challenge their brains.

The more students exercise their brains, the stronger the EF skills become. Through modeling behavior and routine activities, students can build these skills.

Students often build their EF skills at various rates. Some students are going to need more support compared to their peers. Stress often interferes with EF learning.

Explain the Reason Behind the New Skill

It’s helpful to explain to your child why the new skill they are learning is essential for them. Otherwise, they might think that learning this new skill is a waste of time.

Children with poor organizational abilities will often feel pressure with their time commitment and responsibilities. They will feel they need to weigh what is worth their effort and what can get set aside.

Being Able to Adapt

A student will need to try and develop adaptable thinking. This is the ability for a child to adjust to situations or problem solve in the event of random obstacles.

This skill also comes into play when a student needs to see something from another persons perspective.

A student who shows this kind of cognitive ability won’t get stumped by hurdles or opposing opinions. Adaptable thinking can occur when a student needs to create an alternate route to school after hitting a roadblock.

Being Able to Plan

A student will need to learn how to think and plan for the future. They will need to create an action plan and prioritize different work tasks.

Planning is a skill that allows the student to make a list of steps to reach their goal.

If this is something your child struggles with, think about how you can help them. Pick up a whiteboard for home. You can write down your child’s daily chores there.

Being Able to Self-Monitor

Self monitoring occurs when a child knows how to self evaluate their ability to perform a task.

Being able to self monitor will give them insight into how they are progressing. They also might know what adjustments to make to finish the project.

Positive self monitoring occurs when a student realizes the math formula isn’t the right one. They will check their work and use the correct one.

Self Control

Another important executive functioning skill is a student’s self control. Self control refers to someone’s ability to control themselves from emotional or physical outbursts.

The child wont react or act without thinking things through. Emotional control is when a student can remain calm during an obstacle or problem.

If a child received a poor grade, they should focus on how to improve for the next test.

Try Using Checklists

Using checklists will clearly define to a child what steps they need to take.

Finishing a task and the steps involved aren’t always clear to children with executive dysfunction. That is why a checklist will minimize the emotional and mental strain kids experience while making a decision

Some children with executive dysfunction will often get overwhelmed with decision-making and not know where to begin.

Or, the child might start the task but constantly stop and restart because they believe there must be a better way to complete it.

In the end, the child feels exhausted and uses their mental energy before getting to the task. A checklist will help reserve some of this energy.

You can create checklists for most things. For example, if your child struggles with getting ready for school in the morning, post a list for their morning routine.

They could start by making their bed, brushing their teeth, washing their face, and eating breakfast. Then, they should remember to take their lunch and bring their backpack.

Its helpful to get most of these tasks prepared the night before. You could lay out your child’s clothes, pack their lunch, and fill their backpack with the necessary items.

This will take some planning, but it helps prevent rushing and stress the next day.

Another helpful technique for children with executive dysfunction is to set a time limit. When using the checklist, try to think about how long it should take for each step.

When working on a large project, its especially important to set time limits. Break down various homework assignments, and ask your child to figure out the required steps.

Ask them to consider how long it might take for each step. For example, if your child has to finish a book report, think kabuto about the steps required. They will first need to read the book, write the report, and then submit it.

It will take some time to finish reading the novel.

Pursuing Next Steps

You could consider speaking to your doctor if your child has an executive dysfunction disorder. Your doctor will help you decide if they’ll get medication.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is also something that may benefit your child. They will learn how to navigate their emotions, and handle stressful situations.

Some children will benefit from learning new skills online. Consider an online session on how to improve executive functions. Your child might benefit from an online session.

You could also look into working with an ADHD coach. Find a coach who can work with your child. They will with their executive functions and meet different deadlines.

If your child is struggling, look into choosing an ADHD coach.

Begin Developing Executive Functioning Skills for ADHD Today

Learning about critical executive functioning skills for ADHD will help your child navigate school life. Understanding where they struggle will help you take the necessary steps toward coaching.

People can struggle in one area but excel in another. Identify where your child can begin to improve their school habits today.

We would love to begin setting up a coaching session. Would you like to chat with us about this topic? Contact us today for consultations.