Studies show that 20-30% of school-age children struggle with executive functioning skills, affecting their ability to organize, plan, and complete tasks. Research has shown that targeted interventions can significantly improve executive functioning skills in children and adolescents. Studies have demonstrated up to 30% improvement in students with EF challenges following intervention.
What is it?
Executive functioning (EF) is a type of self-regulation that helps us carry out many daily tasks. It encapsulates many different types of thinking and skills that are primarily controlled by the brain's prefrontal cortex. These include many higher-level functions that are exclusive to humans. EF skills include regulation, monitoring, impulse control, organization, attention, planning, prioritizing, working memory, time management, flexible thinking, and more.
How is it related to neuropsychology?
Assessment: Neuropsychological evaluations can provide context and an understanding for individuals struggling with executive functioning. Testing batteries and tools can highlight individuals’ strengths and challenges in the broad range of skills that are the executive functions. By pursuing the next steps for neuropsychological evaluation and understanding EF strengths/weaknesses in individuals, they can better access the next steps that can best support them moving forward.
Brain Regions: EF is linked to the prefrontal cortex, one area of the brain that is highly studied in neuropsychology due to many brain-behavior relationships.
Neurodevelopment: Within neuropsychology, development is a crucial focus for many. EF can change throughout one's lifespan and provide much insight into neurodevelopment and cognitive decline later in life.
Neuropsychological Disorders: Many neuropsychological disorders and neurodevelopmental disorders are associated with differences in executive functioning (see below).
Treatment: Many individuals with EF impairments may adopt strategies or interventions to improve their EF and quality of life.
Research: Many studies in neuropsychology focus on how EF affects memory, social behavior, mood, learning, and daily functioning. This contributes to our understanding of EF and cognitive health.
Individual Differences: Everyone’s brains are different, and the idea of “neurodiversity” is often elevated within the field. Biological factors, social factors, psychological factors, and much more influence individuals’ strengths and weaknesses, and EF is a large area that is well understood.
Who may find challenges with executive functioning?
Anyone and everyone at times! EF describes skills that no one is perfect at!
With that said, many factors can lead to more significant challenges with executive functioning.
Kids may have more significant challenges because their prefrontal cortexes still need to develop fully! (it fully develops in your mid-20s! Individuals with neurodegenerative disorders or memory disorders such as Alzheimer’s may find more significant challenges with executive functioning. Individuals with other diseases or conditions such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, brain tumors, or who underwent stroke may also see increased challenges with executive functioning.
In addition, individuals who use substances such as alcohol or drugs or individuals who have ADHD, autism, depression, OCD, or schizophrenia may also find challenges with executive functioning.
What can we (anyone!) do to improve our executive functioning potential?
Many of the things that promote cognitive/brain health improve executive functioning, too! First and foremost, sleep is critical! In order for executive functioning to be… actually functioning… we need to be well rested! Sleep helps with memory consolidation, cognitive functioning, emotional regulation, problem-solving, and restoration, which are critical in EF.
Physical exercise, eating foods high in nutrients, social interaction, stress management, goal setting, and mindfulness can all also enhance executive functioning potential.
Additionally, intervention can be helpful for many. This can take many forms, including executive functioning coaching, behavioral interventions, social skills groups, therapy, and more.
In Conclusion…
Executive functioning is critical for our daily routine, and there are many actions we can take to promote it for ourselves!