What is Executive Functioning?
What is Executive Functioning?
Executive Functioning (or, EF, as the cool kids call it) is the “supervisor” or “conductor” in your brain. It helps control behaviors, emotions, and thoughts in order to achieve goals.
In the past couple of years, EF has become quite the popular kid in school. And why not? Good EF skills are related to better social skills, academic achievement, mental and physical health, making money, saving money, and even staying out of jail! What’s not to love about it?
Now, that I’ve answered the question, let’s talk details. First and foremost…
When do these skills become developed?
For that answer, let’s go to the brain!
EF skills typically start developing in early childhood, around the ages 3 to 5. They are mainly housed in the frontal lobe of the brain which is one of the last areas of the brain to fully develop. In fact, it does not finish developing until the mid-20s!
To better understand EF, we’re going to break it down into three main parts: Behavior, Emotional, and Cognitive Regulation skills.
Behavior Regulation is the ability to regulate and monitor behavior effectively. This involves resisting impulses and considering consequences before acting. If someone has difficulty inhibiting themselves, they will have a hard time regulating their behavior.
Emotional Regulation is the ability to regulate emotional responses and to adjust to changes in the environments, people, plans, or demands. People who struggle with emotional regulation often have difficulty transitioning or dealing with changes. They can be described as “rigid” or “inflexible.” They also have difficulty controlling their emotions when they are upset. They might have big emotions that leave people wondering, “Why are they so upset? It’s not that big of a deal.”
Cognitive Regulation is the last of the executive functioning skills to form and the most complex. It is the ability to control and manage cognitive processes and problem solve effectively. Cognitive Regulation skills are seen most often in the school or work setting. Those that have difficulty with cognitive regulation often cannot initiate tasks, create goals (and see them through), plan for large assignments, study effectively for tests, organize their material, or check their work for mistakes.
By this point, you are probably picturing someone, either someone that excels at these skills… or the opposite end of the spectrum. The clinical diagnoses often involved with poor executive functioning skills are ADHD, Anxiety, or those on the Autism Spectrum. In addition, people that fall within the gifted range of intellectual ability often struggle with EF skills, which can be confusing for their caregivers and teachers.
How do you improve your Executive Functioning skills?
Well, unfortunately, you can’t make them better with an app or game. The best EF intervention is applied to everyday executive routines rather than teaching specific skills out of context. So now you can see that to actually improve your Executive Functioning skills involves…well, EF skills. The ultimate goal of executive function intervention is to establish regular behavioral and cognitive routines to maximize independent, goal-oriented problem-solving. And, for most people with EF weaknesses, this cannot be done independently because they do not have strong enough executive functioning skills to establish and follow through with routines.
As we are entering tax season, I’ll use completing my taxes as an analogy. When I was younger, I could not do my own taxes. I did not have a grasp or understanding of what do to, so my caregivers (and their CPA) helped me. As I got older, I started to do my taxes by myself. They were simple, I was single, I didn’t own a home, I had a W-2 job—easy-peasy. But then, things started to get more complex. I started to own things, I had deductions, I got married, had kids, am self-employed…the list goes on. I did not have the knowledge (nor the ability to spend the time learning) about how to do my taxes, so I hired someone. It is their job. They complete my taxes in a more efficient and thorough manner than I could. They are also talented at their job and enjoy it.
Now take that analogy and apply it to Eexecutive Functioning. When you are younger, your caregivers help you and, if things are simple, you may be able to independently set goals, plan, and get things done. This is what we call, in educational psychology, the “gradual release of responsibility.” But, at a point, things may get too complex or, as a caregiver, you may not have the tools to support your child. So, similar to my above analogy a solution may be to hire someone. Professionals who are experts in executive functioning and skill development, who are talented at their jobs, and enjoy it! Who might those people be?
Ensemble Therapy Services
At Ensemble Learning, our therapeutic offerings can support your child or teen in developing their executive functioning skills. Intervention support may look like play therapy, talk therapy, or occupational therapy. It all depends on the individual and their needs.
First, we meet with families for an in-depth consultation and assessment session to better understand the areas of executive functioning skills needed and create an action plan. We will circle back to check on progress every six weeks or as needed.
For younger children, therapy can help create, implement, and maintain routines. Depending on the child’s needs, the therapist may also provide behavioral support.
For school-age children and teens, the therapist may help make an after-school routine, plan for projects, make a study guide, help get their homework area organized, and teach them how to self-advocate.
Need school support too? We’ve got you covered. We can help you translate your teen/child’s needs into school-based accommodations.
Excited? Oh my gosh, so are we!
Want to learn more?
WRITTEN BY KATE CURRAN MIRE, SSP, LSSP, NCSP
Kate received her undergraduate degree from The University of Texas-Austin in Applied Learning and Development. In August 2008, she became a certified Master Reading Teacher through the University of Texas-Austin. Kate went on to receive a Specialist Degree in School Psychology from Texas State University-San Marcos.
Content updated on Feb. 12, 2024.
