What are Executive Function Skills? The Hidden Ingredients to Success

If you or someone you know is struggling with school, you might want to ask: How are their executive function skills?

definition-of-executive-function

Definition of Executive Function Skills

Executive function (EF) is an umbrella term that describes the various skills that go into managing your life. It includes things like

  • setting goals,
  • planning,
  • prioritizing,
  • organizing,
  • remembering and manipulating information,
  • solving problems,
  • being self aware and checking your work, and
  • regulating your emotions.
 
These are skills, and they need practice. While some people might be able to pick these skills up through trial and error or watching others, that’s not always a great strategy. Some people need explicit instruction in strategies to develop these skills.
 
The need for extra help may be especially true if you are at all neurodiverse. There is often overlap between needing EF help and having ADHD, autism, or a specific learning disability. But you don’t have to have one of these labels to need executive function help. The part of the brain that controls executive function — the prefrontal cortex — doesn’t finish developing until your mid-twenties. As a result, lots of young people struggle with executive function from time to time.

Why I Became an EF Coach

I started down the path of becoming an executive function coach as a classroom teacher for 15 years. I’d frequently come across students described by others as lazy or underperforming. I began to ask myself: is this actually an issue of effort or is it executive function? Because often students with executive function problems put forth A LOT of effort.
 
It just wasn’t the most productive effort toward the outcome they wanted, and that was frustrating for everyone involved.
adhd-productivity

One of the reasons I gravitated towards classroom technology as a teacher was because it created executive functioning scaffolds. Those eased some of the cognitive burdens so kids could focus more on the learning. Then, once I started co-teaching more inclusion classes, it became an even bigger focus of my work. I dug into the research, did lots of experimenting, and delivered local and regional presentations to other educators about using technology to support executive function.

Examples of Executive Dysfunction

So what are some things we can look for when we talk about executive function?
 
How does the student respond to large projects? At home it could be something like cleaning their room. At school that could be writing a research paper.
 
Students with weaker executive function might feel completely overwhelmed by that task and can’t figure out where to start. As a result, they avoid it altogether until the last possible moment. And even then, it might not get done at all or well.
examples-of-executive-dysfunction
Executive function controls our ability to visualize a final product and break down the steps involved to get there. Without that roadmap, projects can feel especially daunting.
 
We can also look at working memory. Is the student forgetful? Do they need frequent reminders about what to do and get lost in the middle of a task? Sometimes students have a hard time holding onto information — like directions, numbers in a math problem, or ideas they’re planning to write about but haven’t gotten to yet. That can make tasks feel WAY harder and take much longer to do.
 
These are just a couple of ways that executive function can impact learning and getting things done.

Executive Function Skills Checklist

executive-function-skills-checklist

If you’re interested in learning more about executive function and are wondering if maybe it’s something your child struggles with, then you should check out my free eBook, “Does My Child Need Executive Function Help?” The guide describes several common pain points grouped by skill to help you develop a better understanding of where your child’s executive function strengths and weaknesses fall.

How a Coach Can Help

executive-function-skills-coach
There are so many ways we can decrease the executive function demands of a task and build in scaffolds to make things easier to accomplish, but that doesn’t happen nearly enough. That’s why I’m on a mission to make more people aware of executive function and how we can help young learners develop the skills they need to become successful adults.
 
An executive function coach works with parents to help identify the areas where students need the most help. The coach will explicitly teach strategies to help with EF skills and provide the scaffolds students need to become more independent in these areas. A coach can also help troubleshoot strategies that aren’t working, teach ways to ask for help, and suggest traditional or technology-oriented tools that may be helpful. In some ways, an executive function coach is like a life coach for students.
 
If you know someone interested in working with an EF coach, I have fall openings for individual coaching. I’m also developing an online membership for parents and kids to work through together. I will also offer a group coaching option if there’s enough interest. All offerings will be online, so proximity to Atlanta/Decatur is not a barrier. To learn more about these services, visit my coaching services page. I’ve also built a separate page with answers to frequently asked questions about my executive function coaching practice.
 
What executive function areas are most challenging for the tweens, teens, or young adults in your life? Leave a comment so we can discuss!

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Alison Eber

Alison is a teacher and mom who has a Ph.D. in Educational Administration and Policy. Her research centers on executive function, social media and teacher learning. She spent 15 years teaching in elementary classrooms. She now spends her time blogging and working with parents and teachers to use technology responsibly and develop kids' academic and social emotional skills.

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