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Executive Dysfunction Symptoms & FAQ
How Executive Dysfunction Undermines Learning
School-day complexity escalates sharply around 4th grade, when the “read to learn” starts, the school assumes learning independence, multiple classes are introduced, and high-stakes testing begins.
Many children are overwhelmed by these demands because they lack the necessary organizational and planning skills – executive functioning.
Executive function is the ability to plan, organize, self-regulate, and juggle multiple tasks successfully, often called the brain’s “air traffic control system.” The three cognitive pillars of executive function are:
- Working Memory: The ability to hold and manipulate information in mind
- Self-Regulation: Being able to stay on track and avoid distractions
- Cognitive Flexibility: The capacity to switch gears, solve problems, and learn from mistakes
These skills tend to develop naturally in response to the escalating demands of school and life. However, learning difficulties hinder the development of these higher-level skills.
Can Executive Function Skills Be Improved?
Yes. Executive function programs for kids at home that use cognitive training can (1) strengthen the cognitive foundation needed to promote the natural development of executive functioning and (2) train working memory, self-regulation, and cognitive flexibility directly.
Gemm Learning offers two programs to remediate executive dysfunction: Fast ForWord and Cogmed.
Read about our executive function programs here.
“He’s turning in assignments ln time, he’s more confident on the basketball court and all his teachers are saying how they see maturity and growth they have never seen before. He had his best academic report ever and is even passing geometry for the first time!!!”
Executive Functioning: The Brain’s Air Traffic Control
Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child compares executive function to an air traffic control system at a busy airport, managing multiple incoming and outgoing flights.
When this system is weak, pediatric neuropsychologist Dr. Laura Tagliareni notes on understood.org that it’s not that the child thinks differently, but that they are struggling to coordinate and prioritize information.
Does My Child Have an Executive Function Deficit?
Do any of these signs of executive dysfunction resonate?
- Homework Stress: Your child doesn’t know the assignment or takes too long on homework.
- Disorganized. Loses things and/or struggles to plan ahead.
- Procrastinates: Leaves lengthy assignments or studying for tests to the last minute, and misses assignment deadlines.
- Struggles with Change: Has trouble adapting to new information or changed timelines,
The transition to multiple teachers and subjects in middle school often exposes issues. If you want to help your middle schooler start assignments independently, the issue is likely related to the step up in the complexity of the school workload.
The brain tends to develop cognitive skills in response to need, including executive function. And so, if your child is confronted with a more complex school environment, it makes sense to give them a few months to settle in and for the skills to develop. However, executive dysfunction can persist into adulthood or until action is taken to address underlying cognitive delays.
Executive Dysfunction: Problems Often Persist
A US study followed 11,000 kindergarten students from 2010 to the 3rd grade. It was found that they presented early in their schooling with executive functioning issues. They continued to have academic difficulties.
The researchers said: “Our study … helps to establish that working memory deficits constitute a general risk factor for repeated academic difficulties across elementary school, with this increased risk evident whether for mathematics, reading, or science difficulties.”
For an insight into what it’s like for an adult to struggle with executive functioning skills as part of her ADHD, check out Liz Lewis’ A Dose of Healthy Distraction blog. In her post, The Lazy Girl’s Guide to Crushing Your Executive Functions, she shares how she likes to “deal with each of my own EF deficits”. They’re practical tips she’s road-tested, including mono-tasking to help with focus.
No Special Education Services for Executive Functioning
Generally, those diagnosed with executive functioning difficulties won’t be able to tap into special services to help pay for executive function programs for kids at home. That’s because it’s hard to measure and compare, as mentioned above.
If your child doesn’t have an Individualized Education Program, consider asking their teacher to share tips and strategies to help your child organize, plan, tackle, and complete their work. Your child will also need support at home to stay focused on homework.
FAQ on Executive Dysfunction
At what age do executive function skills develop?
They begin to emerge in early childhood (around age 3–5) and continue to develop rapidly in the teenage years and into the mid-20s, as the prefrontal cortex matures. Clients come to us looking for executive function programs for kids as difficulties become more visible as school demands increase.
How does executive dysfunction differ from ADHD?
They often overlap. ADHD involves attention and impulse control over short periods, whereas executive function requries sustained attention and engagement over much longer periods. More on ADHD and EF here.
Is Executive Function connected to IQ?
No. While it’s true that children with sound executive functioning may perform better on IQ tests, executive function is a cognitive skill, not directly related to intelligence. More on IQ and executive function here.
How can I help a middle schooler start assignments independently?
The transition to the complexity of middle school proves challenging for many students. Different teachers, more homework, and heavy reading requirements overwhelm students, particularly if they are struggling a little with reading and/ot learning. Executive function training for middle schoolers can make a huge difference here, as it works on organizing, planning, cognitive flexibility, and learning independence. Take this free learning screening to see if anything resonates.