Executive Functions

Executive Functions

Executive functions play a vital role in learning and improving them can have a huge impact on school success. But what are executive functions, how do they work and what can be done to help those with deficits?

Executive functions are a group of cognitive skills localised in the frontal lobe structures. Deficits in executive functioning involve both discrete skills and the processes that control the use of these skills (Cicerone et al., 2000).

Impairments in executive functions may co-occur with a variety of disorders or syndromes, including traumatic brain injury (TBI), fetal alcohol, very low birth weight, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Early detection of executive function disorders allows educators and SLPs to implement needed intervention strategies in the preschool years (Isquith, Gioia, & Espy, 2004).

Children with ADHD present with impairments in executive functions which disrupt working memory, rapid naming, strategy development, and self-correction (Shallice, Marzocchi, Coser, Del Savio, Meuter, & Rumiati, 2002).

We have hand picked these resources to help kids and teens improve their Executive Function skills.