Executive functioning and how it affects people

Issues that involve executive functioning is a huge problem for children. For starters, executive functioning can be compared to the main control room of the brain. It oversees the transition from planning to actually getting the job done. While this analogy seems like an oversimplification, it is anything but simple when children have issues with executive functioning. When they cannot seem to plan, organize, remember, and manage their time, it can get incredibly taxing and frustrating.

                              Image source: fa-inkwell.org

First, parents with children dealing with executive functioning issues have to understand that the issues aren’t a disability on their own. The correct approach should be identifying them as weaknesses in sets of mental skills, which means several different treatments will be needed. 

For example, treatments needed for children who have a problem keeping track of time will be slightly different from children who fail to make sure their work is done on time. The same goes for children who have problems with making plans and those who have difficulties analyzing problems. That said though, it is often the case that executive functioning issues overlap. 

Fortunately, many researchers and therapists have developed several umbrella treatments that target many issues at once. The first step is always to identify the problems. 

Image source: ilumineducation.com

Dr. Curtis Cripe heads the research and development at the NTL Group, which uses neuroengineering to treat addiction, head injury (TBI), depression, anxiety, memory disorders, and neurodevelopmental delays in children with learning disorders. For more on Dr. Cripe’s work at NTL Group, click here.