So, what is Executive Functioning???

Skills used to select and achieve goals or to problem solve:

Task Initiation - The ability to start projects or tasks without having someone tell you to

Organization - The ability to establish and maintain order and keep track of things.

Working Memory - The ability to keep certain information in mind in order to complete a task

Planning/Prioritization - The ability to outline the steps needed to complete a task or meet a goal

Time Management - the ability to accurately estimate how long a task will take and to make efficient use of time 

Metacognition - The ability to observe how you handle a situation. This involves asking yourself “How am I doing?” “How did I do?”

Skills used to guide our behavior as we try to achieve our goals or solve problems:

Response Inhibition - the ability to stop yourself from doing things you shouldn’t

Emotional Control - The ability to stay calm even when faced with situations that can cause you to get upset, angry, sad, or frustrated

Sustained Attention - The ability to stay focused on a task that is uninteresting to you, especially with distractions

Flexibility - The ability to make changes in your behavior or schedule

Goal-directed Persistence - The ability to stick with a boring task from start to finish

Why do some people have weaker Executive Functioning skills???

Head Trauma 

ADHD diagnosis 

Depression

Anxiety 

Alzheimer’s 

Developmental weakness

     Specific Learning Disability 

     Age