Do you sometimes feel like this? You find it hard to finish a task you started, you forget even the smallest things, or you find it hard to focus on one thing at a time. You may have experienced these things with your child. These are not just random things. Behind this lies a very important process in our brain. That's what we're talking about today.
What are these Executive Functions?
Simply put, this is like the CEO in your brain. Think of what a CEO of a large company does. He or she is the one who oversees the entire company, makes plans, and makes sure everything is going well. Similarly, these mental skills in our brains called executive functioning are what organize our thoughts and guide us to work toward goals.
These mental skills are what help us plan, remember things, learn new things, and adapt to changes in life. They are also responsible for things like keeping the information we need to complete a task (working memory), flexibly changing our thoughts when needed, and controlling immediate impulses.
Imagine you are going to make a cake. You have to remember what ingredients you need, you have to follow the recipe step by step, you have to remove the shell if it falls out when you break the egg ( flexibility ), you have to control the urge to eat impatiently until the cake is baked. All of this is controlled by your executive functioning. These are also directly related to the control of our emotions.
The relationship between ADHD and executive functioning
You may have heard of a condition called ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). A person with this condition has impaired executive functioning skills. This can manifest itself in a variety of ways. Perhaps you or your child has experienced something like this.
| Common characteristics of poor executive functioning |
|---|
| - Difficulty finishing a project once started. |
| - Forgetting something quickly after reading or hearing it. |
| - Difficulty following instructions. |
| - Inability to tolerate even a small change in daily routine. |
| - Losing focus when switching from one task to another. |
| - Being unduly focused on certain things (Fixate). |
| - Constantly losing belongings. |
| - Difficulty managing time. |
To find the best treatments for these types of problems, it's important to understand exactly which skill is being affected . That's what executive function tests are for.
What kind of tests are there?
Because executive functioning is a collection of skills, there is no single test that measures them. There are many different tests. Some tests measure multiple skills at once, but usually one test focuses on one specific aspect.
Main skills tested:
- Attention
- Impulse control
- Working Memory
- Organization and planning
- Idea formation
- Ability to move between tasks
One-on-one tests
For example, let's take a working memory test. This is done one-on-one with a licensed psychologist. It measures how well you can remember things that are told and shown to you.
"If a child's working memory is weak, it directly affects learning. When we take notes about something, when we think about something someone says from different angles, we use our working memory."
Rating scales
The other type is rating scales. These are based on observations of a child's behavior by parents and teachers. They can also be used by adults. You then have to give a self-report of your own behavior. A professional takes these results and compares them to how you are performing with others your age. This method may not be as accurate as a test with a psychologist, but it is still very useful.
What can we learn from these tests?
Often, these tests are given to children as part of a comprehensive educational assessment. This looks at how a child receives and processes information. This is the first step in providing the child with the special support they need at school. In some countries, there are special programs for this, such as an ``Individualized Education Program (IEP)`` or ``500 plan``. Through this, the child is listed as to what special help they need to succeed.
Think about it this way. "Even if a child has a superior intelligence score, their working memory may be below average. Such a child will definitely need support to demonstrate their intellectual abilities to others in the classroom."
These test results are also helpful at home.
Parents can break down homework or chores into small chunks and have the child do them step by step . Also, using visual supports, timers, and visual schedules can be very helpful for children with these disabilities.
Also, if your child is having trouble controlling their emotions, you can consider methods like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) . All of these are aimed at helping your child move forward in life successfully. If you have any doubts or questions about this, the best thing to do is to talk to your doctor about it. He or she will be able to give you the right guidance.
Take-Home Message
- Executive functions are a set of mental skills essential for things like planning, memory, and attention.
- Weaknesses in these skills can lead to problems with paying attention, organizing work, and remembering things. These are commonly seen with conditions like ADHD.
- Special tests (Executive Function Tests) can identify these weaknesses precisely.
- Accurately identifying the problem helps provide the right support at school, at home, and through treatment if necessary.
- If you suspect that you or your child has these problems, it is very important to talk to your doctor about it and seek advice.
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