Executive Functioning

[Christy]

This is a term I’ve been aware of for a while now, but never really understood what it meant or the implications of lacking in this area. To my surprise, a search of AC did not raise a thread specifically devoted to this, so I’m creating one.

The definition given by Wikipedia is this: Executive functions (also known as cognitive control and supervisory attentional system) is an umbrella term for the management (regulation, control) of cognitive processes, including working memory, reasoning, task flexibility, and problem solving as well as planning, and execution.
On another website it said “Put simply, executive functions are higher level functions such as planning, reasoning, problem solving, multi-tasking, attention span, inhibition, flexibility, self monitoring, self-initiation and self guidance.”

It is sad this is written for children... I'm 31 and still can't do these things...
"Warning signs that a child may be having difficulty with executive function include trouble in:
- planning projects
- estimating how much time a project will take to complete
- telling stories (verbally or in writing)
- memorizing information
- initiating activities or tasks
- retaining information while doing something with it (for example, remembering a phone number while dialing)."

So, do you have poor executive functioning, how does it effect you and what do you do to try and get around it? Have you been able to improve it? Any hints or suggestions?

 

[King_Oni]

I'm not sure if my skills are poor in this regard. From what you describe, there are plenty of things I can do, albeit it, in my own way. That makes me well enough to function in my own life, but not necessarily functional in a professional sense I guess.

I've been told I'm a great planner (though that might not always show, lol) provided people agree with my terms. Which of course seems to be a major issue with being flexible in any way or form. Attention span, I guess depends on the task/subject at hand. If it's something I don't care about my brain pretty much will remain on stand-by and not cooperate at all... that might make me someone who is of really, really limited use, unless I'm put somewhere where I actually care about the task/subject. The same goes for multi-tasking. I'm quite pragmatic so I tend to be a problemsolver and with that someone who wont wait long and get to it.

Yes, even with all these things I can check as having those ability I'm still noticing enough issues that are supposed to be "basic qualities" someone needs to have when it comes to employment (and mostly employment). This entire story does reflect my documentation for a disability workplace program which I'm on a waiting list for. Psychologists thus far have recognized that I don't function like everyone else, but the fact said document states that I need a job with enough autonomy and freedom does somewhat indicate that my executive skills aren't that poor... they're most likely just really different.

Also; ever since I'm dating my current girlfriend (who is on the spectrum as well) I've noticed that my executive skills aren't nearly as poor as they could be. I often thought I lacked certain initiative and other skills, though I noticed that I'm way ahead of her in that regard. How sad it might sound it's a bit of the "well, it could always be worse".

 

[Ste11aeres]

I think I'm slightly below average in regards to some skills involved in executive functioning, although I'm okay in regards to others. It's made it difficult, very difficult to complete college class assignments.

 

[Dark]

There are areas where I succeed and areas where I have difficulty:

Planning - If someone needs me to plan an event or something of that nature, I'll be more harm than good. If someone needs a strategy for achieving a goal, however, I can do that no problem. Living with a social impairment tends to result in a lot of planning for the unexpected.

Estimating - I can estimate the time it takes to do stuff fairly accurately as long as I have all the information. Often, I end up in the position of realizing that there's some additional step involved and that I didn't factor it in to my estimate. As expected, I'm a very literal thinker, so if a client asks me how long X project will take, I can tell them pretty accurately how long the actual work will take, but I forget to factor in how long the visualization or editing will take.

Telling stories - Verbally, I can't tell stories to save my life unless I've had time to rehearse and revise. I constantly leave crucial information out and have to hap-hazardly insert it later on to the point where it's just a total mess. Writing, however, I can do very well at. I can delete and reword as much as I need to, and it gives me time to figure out what information is the most important.

Memorization - Depends on what it is. My short-term memory is abysmal overall, but if there's a pattern to what I have to remember, I can do fairly well. I have a lot of songs and poems and such memorized because the rhymes and cadence of the words are easy for me to retain. Strings of numbers, or word-for-word quotes, things like that? Not so much. I might remember the gist, but not the whole.

Initiating - I have zero motivation. Even if it's something I enjoy, I have extreme difficulty actually starting anything. Once I'm in it, I don't ususally mind so much, but the initiation takes a lot out of me.

Retaining information while using it - Had to laugh at this one. I'll frequently forget what I'm talking about mid-sentence, and having to type in activation codes or whatnot for computer programs is awful. I have to make sure I'm focusing 100% on the task at hand or I'll completely forget what I'm doing. Thanks to this, I've developed a habit of always having to double- (or quadruple-) check phone number or passwords to ensure I got them right.