Indicators of Executive Function Issues

Information adapted from Understood.org

Indicators of Executive Function Issues in Primary School 

• Starts a task and gets distracted, then doesn’t finish

• Can solve a math problem one way but gets stuck when asked to solve it a different way

• Focuses on the least important thing you said

• Mixes up assignments and doesn’t bring home the right books and handouts needed for homework

• Has a messy desk and backpack

• Panics when rules or routines change, like going out to dinner instead of ordering in because it’s Friday and that’s pizza night

• Sticks with a plan even when it’s clear that the plan isn’t working

• Wants to invite kids over but never gets around to scheduling it

• Hesitates to make afterschool plans and instead just follows what the other kids are doing

• Is still arranging materials in science lab while the other kids are halfway through the experiment

• Has a hard time starting a big assignment and focuses on the less important details first

• Gets very upset about seemingly small things, like running out of a favorite snack at home

• Often thinks the teacher is being “unfair,” like when told to do work at home that other kids finished in class