What is Executive Function and Why Do We Need it?

0:00Hello Brains! I was going to start this episode with me juggling a bunch of different tasks… to demonstrate a situation that required way too much executive function -- But I realized getting all the props for that and figuring out how to act it out and film it properly required way too much executive function.

0:16Did I use that term right? What is executive function? [Intro] According to our How to ADHD Dictionary, Executive Function (n) is a set of cognitive processes that help us self-regulate so we can effectively plan, prioritize, and sustain effort toward our goals. Executive function is kind of like, the CEO of the brain. It helps us go from wanting to do a thing

0:41to actually getting it done. And there’s a lot that goes into that. The cognitive processes that make up executive function are things like: response inhibition, which helps us not be impulsive -- working memory, which helps us hold information in our head temporarily or remember it while we work with it Set shifting, which is what helps us shift between tasks

0:59that have different cognitive demands. And the ability to delay immediate gratification so we can achieve long term rewards. In ADHD the research term for this is 'delay aversion' These functions help us with what people often call “being an adult” which makes sense, because executive function is located in the last part of the brain to develop --

1:18and doesn’t fully develop until around the age of 25. In ADHD brains, it takes even longer -- according to Dr. Russell Barkley, executive function in ADHD is up to 30% delayed, which is why those with ADHD can seem “immature” -- and even once it does fully develop, it’s still impaired. So some of the things parents do to support their kids’ executive function -- make sticker charts, lists,- put away distractions, create routines - they might have to do more of or for longer for their ADHD kids, and as adults

1:49we often need to do this for ourselves. This is so critical for those of us with executive function challenges, that Dr. Barkley compares it to building a ramp for someone in a wheelchair. It’s a necessary accommodation if we want to get to where we’re trying to go. Not everyone with ADHD has impairments with all of the cognitive processes involved in executive function -- For example one brain’s working memory might be just fine -- but everyone with ADHD does have impairment

2:12in executive function overall. Often, it’s not that we don’t know what to do, it’s that we don’t have the executive function to effectively do it. So if you or someone you love is having a hard time getting things done -- you might ask… “Is it this actually about effort, or is this an executive function issue?” When trying to create an ADHD friendly environment, you might consider -- “what would make things easier on executive function?” If there are behaviors you want to discourage,

2:35you might ask “what would require MORE executive function? How can I make doing this thing harder?” And if you’re having a bad brain day because you didn’t sleep well last night? You could say: “My executive function isn’t doing great right now. Mayyyybe I need to skip the complicated intro.” Because, as my good friend Eric Tivers puts it, “we can do hard things, but we don’t need to do them in the hardest way possible.” You can check out some of our videos on ways to support executive function here And we’re going to be going deeper into different executive functions in future videos, Thank you to my brain advocates

3:04and all my Patreon brains for supporting content like this -- because of your support, I’ve been able to expand my very neurodiverse team which is making it easier on all of our executive function. Like subscribe click all the things and I will see you next video! Bye Brains