Written by Daniela Diaz, Registered Psychologist, CoRe Kids Therapy
Executive functions in informal words are the skills used to be able to take time to think before acting, stay focus, resist temptations, deal with unanticipated challenges, prioritise activities, etc.
To use the executive functions our brain needs to be capable to “Inhibit” which requires self-control but also selective attention, as well as using the “working memory”, which helps hold information to use it later and to follow practical instructions and “Cognitive flexibility”, which shows how someone can shift and have mental flexibility.
Those skills are very important to have a good quality of life, however, they do not define how capable someone is.
You will see how some children would experiment differences in the way their executive functions perform which will lead them to present challenges in different settings (cognitive, social, psychological, etc) reason why it is crucial to recognise these differences in an early assessment to provide tailored strategies to support them as much as possible to improve their quality of life and self-esteem.
Executive problems have been associated with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) which is the most widely mental health condition related to Executive functions impairment.
Nevertheless, children with conduct disorder, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder and schizophrenia present with Executive functions impairments as well.
How can I support my child who might be experiencing differences in their executive functions?
The very first thing that need to be considered is that children like to invest their efforts and time to activities they really like, that is why it is important that each strategy use to intervene their Executive Functions those can of activities to use that motivation to advantage.
Research shows that Aerobic exercises such walking, jump the rope, jogging or running, cycling, field-court games such footy, soccer, basketball, etc. with the aim of enjoyment instead of competition improve cognitive flexibility and creativity and executive functions in general.
Tradition Martial arts has also been researched as a way to support children to have self-control, discipline and character development. If this is something your child is interested in it would provide them with cognitive (less distractable) and affective (working persevering) benefits.
Resource Executive Functions – PMC (nih.gov)