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WHAT IS EXECUTIVE FUNCTION?
WHAT IS EXECUTIVE FUNCTION?
There is not one, universally agreed on, definition of executive function. However, researchers generally characterize executive function as a specific set of attention-regulation (or self-regulation) skills involved in conscious goal-directed problem solving.
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Developmental psychologists and researchers often discuss three broad categories: cognitive flexibility (commonly understood as being flexible in situations that require change and able to apply acquired knowledge in novel situations to problem solve); working memory (commonly understood as being able to mentally hold on to and manipulate information); and inhibitory control (commonly understood as being able to use self-control and remain focused in the face of distraction).
See more here:
https://ies.ed.gov/sites/default/files/ncer/document/2024/11/20172000.pdf
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4084861/pdf/nihms-602706.pdf
Very important, more everyday, skills that come from the broad domains include organizing, planning, managing time, and managing materials. (These are the skills that Finding Focus emphasizes.)
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Individuals with executive dysfunction often struggle to plan, organize, schedule, start or complete tasks. They may misplace materials, struggle to prioritize the right things, and get overwhelmed by big projects. It is critical to note that these individuals may be very intelligent and bright, they simply struggle with executive function skills.
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See more here:
CAN EXECUTIVE FUNCTION IMPROVE?
​IMPORTANTLY, as essential as they are, we aren’t born with executive function skills. We are born with the potential to develop these capacities depending on our experiences during infancy, throughout childhood, and into adolescence and beyond.
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Finding Focus uses research and evidence-based methods to help with skill development. We focus on the concrete skills that address problems at school and at home. When these skills improve the bigger picture proficiencies -- like cognitive flexibility, working memory, and inhibition -- improve too.