Executive Functioning Skills

Executive Functioning

Executive functioning, as defined by researcher Russell Barkley, is self-direction (self-cueing) for a future goal. Executive functioning encompasses a wide variety of skills we need in order to successfully learn. These skills include perception, attention, verbal working memory, nonverbal working memory, and inhibition. As we continue to get older and develop, these skills evolve into even more complex skills such as self-monitoring, planning, self-correction, prioritizing, organizing, and decision making.

Your child may be struggling from executive functioning weaknesses if you are noticing the following:

-Difficulty following directions/completing routines

-Difficulty with emotional regulation and inhibition resulting in impulsive behavior

-Difficulty organizing their thoughts and communicating clearly

-Difficulty making academic progress as material gets more complex

-Difficulty managing homework and assignments

-Weaknesses in social skills, especially as social interactions become more complex and nuanced

-Not completing schoolwork or assignments on time

-Difficulty making decisions

-Difficulty managing their responsibilities

In summary, executive functions are a foundational set of cognitive skills that support and influence both language development and pragmatic communication. Speech Therapy Talk suggests that pragmatic language skills involve aspects of conversation, such as greeting others, asking/answering questions, and maintaining topics (ASHA.org).

If you are concerned your child has executive functioning and would like your child evaluated, please call our office!