Snapshot: What Is Executive Functioning?

Some people describe executive function as “the management system of the brain.” That’s because the skills involved let us set goals, plan, and get things done. When people struggle with executive function, it impacts them at home, in school, and in life.

There are three main areas of executive function.

They are:

1. Working memory

2. Cognitive flexibility (also called flexible thinking)

3. Inhibitory control (which includes self-control)

Executive function is responsible for many skills, including:

• Paying attention

• Organizing, planning, and prioritizing

• Starting tasks and staying focused on them to completion

• Understanding different points of view

• Regulating emotions

• Self-monitoring (keeping track of what you’re doing)

Executive functioning skills usually develop quickly in early childhood and into the teen years. But they keep developing into the mid-20s. When kids are younger, some may lag behind peers for a while. As they get older, though, they may have fewer challenges as teens and young adults.

Dive Deeper

Learn more about the different areas of executive function.

Explore a day in the life of a child who has trouble with these skills.

Find out what it means for kids to have self-control.

Signs of Executive Functioning Issues

Trouble with executive function can affect people in different ways. The difficulties often look like the signs of ADHD. That’s because ADHD is a problem with executive function.

People struggling with executive skills may:

• Have trouble starting and/or completing tasks

• Have difficulty prioritizing tasks

• Forget what they just heard or read

• Have trouble following directions or a sequence of steps

• Panic when rules or routines change

• Have trouble switching focus from one task to another

• Get overly emotional and fixate on things

• Have trouble organizing their thoughts

• Have trouble keeping track of their belongings

• Have trouble managing their time

By: Philip D. Zelazo, PhD Understood