

Research has found improvement in children’s executive function with computerized and interactive games, task-switching computerized training, and Taekwondo traditional martial arts.Įducational strategies and behavioral approaches for addressing executive function difficulties, suggested by the National Center for Learning Disabilities, include: For example, improving physical fitness can improve executive function in the elderly. There are some things that can be done to improve executive function, and strategies and approaches that can help to cope with executive difficulties.Įxecutive function can be improved at any age, including in the elderly, researcher Adele Diamond, Ph.D., professor of developmental cognitive neuroscience with the University of British Columbia notes in a recent review article. Problems often become apparent in children during early elementary years as children are expected to complete more schoolwork independently, according to the National Center for Learning Disabilities. Tests may look at specific skills, such as working memory, attention, ability to shift focus and ability to plan and organize.

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While there is no single test to identify executive function problems, psychologists can use a variety of tests and methods to assess difficulties with executive functioning and can make recommendations for how to address specific areas of weakness. For example, being overly stressed, sad, or sleep-deprived can hinder a person’s executive function ability.1 People with no executive function impairment can experience temporary problems. Some research has found an association between OCD and problems with executive function. Alzheimer’s disease or brain damage (for example from concussion or stroke) can also affect executive function. People with ADHD, depression, learning disabilities, and autism often have difficulties with executive function. Larry Silver, M.D., writing in, provides some examples of executive function problems: a person with executive function problems might read a chapter, but not retain what he read he might know the material, but be unable to write an answer or start a paper because he cannot organize his thoughts or he might be able to calculate math equations, but make frequent careless errors. They may have trouble telling a story or relaying details in an organized way. People with executive function problems may have difficulty planning or managing time, evaluating ideas, finishing work on time, or keeping track of multiple things at once. Executive function is sometimes described as the CEO of the brain - in charge of making sure things get done. It allows us to plan and organize and to link our past experiences to the present. You may have heard the term executive function in regards to the brain, but what does it mean when a person has difficulties with executive function? Executive function is a set of mental processes that helps us get things done. Article from American Psychiatric Association Executive Function of the Brain: Key to Organizing, Managing Time and More
