External factors impact executive functions for all, tailored strategies are essential for ADHD management.
Professional support and tailored resources are crucial in empowering individuals to manage executive function effectively.
Deep dives
Understanding Executive Functioning and ADHD
Executive functioning, a buzzword in the mental health community, pertains to crucial functions that control behavior, habits, and emotions. It includes abilities like inhibiting actions, shifting focus, managing emotions, and more. For individuals with ADHD, these functions can be unpredictable and challenging to manage, even on good or bad days. External supports and tailored strategies can aid in navigating daily tasks.
Overload and Anxiety Impact Executive Function
External factors like overload and anxiety can heavily impact executive functions, causing disruptions for individuals, regardless of neurodivergence. These challenges are often more predictable and responsive to interventions for neurotypical individuals, whereas for those with ADHD, the symptoms' unpredictability can necessitate personalized coping mechanisms and increased external supports.
Coping Strategies and Flexibility in Daily Routines
Developing flexible and adaptive coping strategies is pivotal in managing executive functioning challenges. Implementing varying levels of acceptable outcomes in daily routines, such as survival day plans alongside regular tasks, enables individuals to adjust their goals based on their daily capacity. By prioritizing self-care and embracing rhythm over strict routines, one can honor their needs and navigate fluctuations in executive function.
Seeking Support and Resources for Executive Function Challenges
Navigating executive function challenges often necessitates seeking professional support from licensed clinicians familiar with neurodivergence and executive functioning issues. Platforms like understood.org and CHAAD can provide valuable resources, articles, simulators, and guidance for individuals seeking to explore and address executive function challenges, even without a formal diagnosis. The importance of recognizing the need for tailored support and accessible resources to empower individuals in managing their executive function effectively.
Today, we are diving into executive functioning, which is a popular term being bounced around in mental health communities. I want to take a closer look at what it means and how it shows up in people’s lives. Join me to learn more from today’s guest!
Dr. Lesley Cook is a psychologist who does a lot of work with ADHD and other neurodivergencies. Born and raised in Hawaii, she now lives in Virginia and works with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. Dr. Lesley and I met on TikTok, and I’m happy to have her here today!
Show Highlights:
A common-language definition and explanation of executive functioning
How executive function deficits show up in someone’s life
How shame, guilt, and inconsistent performance are clues to executive function problems
The difference between motivation and task initiation
Why the underlying issue with lack of motivation is more about what a person values
How a person’s sense of self is affected when they believe their authentic self is “bad”
Why external supports are necessary when an internal system is down
Why rhythm is better than routine for those with executive function disorder
How neurotypical people experience interruptions with executive functioning on a regular basis because of overload and anxiety
How blips in executive function occur in neurotypical people with predictability and response to intervention—as opposed to someone with a diagnosis
How someone with ADHD can have incredible deficits in executive function on days when everything is going their way–and won’t respond reliably to normal interventions
How to build into each day differing levels of acceptable outcomes–and give yourself permission to choose what fits your needs at that moment
Lesley’s advice to those who think they have executive functioning issues
