Executive Function/Attention

Henry Montero, LMHC, CASAC-2, CTTS

Alquimedez Mental Health Counseling
1154 E. Tremont Ave Bronx, NY 10460-2452
Tel: 718-664-7679
www.alquimedez.com
Email: info@alquimedez.com
Twitter: @henmontero
Instagram: alquimedezmentalhealth

Executive functions are defined as a set of processes that enable an individual to manage themselves effectively. The brain governs the person’s action and how they go about managing is their executive function.

Executive function is essentially an umbrella term for mental health issues involving neurological based skills and self-regulation. Also called cognitive control, executive function is responsible for an individual setting and achieving an objective.

Types of Executive Functions
There are several executive functions, and we will discuss each of these below:

1. Impulse Control
   This is what gives a child the capability to think before they act or look before they leap if you will. If a child has poor control and cannot contain his impulses, then he may simply blurt inappropriate things at the worst possible time. Such children also have a greater inclination to take risks.
2. Emotional Control
   Emotional control is known as the ability to keep emotions in check. A child not being in full ascendancy of this executive function may tend to overreact. He may be unable to process aspects of life such as criticism as a result.
3. Flexible Thinking
   This enables a child to adjust in scenarios where they are facing unexpected circumstances. In this instance, children who are rigid or are not able to acclimatize well enough to a new situation may become difficult and agitated as a result.
4. Working Memory
   Working memory serves a child in remembering important details. Therefore, if a child has a weaker memory, he will naturally struggle to memorize information. Even recognizing directions will pose trouble for him. In some cases, also if he has been exposed to the details before and has noted them down, he may still struggle to remember regardless.
5. Self-Monitoring
   At number five, we have self-monitoring. This allows children to assess how well or poorly they are faring. Hence, a child who is not well equipped with this specific executive function will be unable to come to terms with failure. So, a bad grade in a school exam may cause him quite a bit of stress. Another example could be an instance where they are given negative feedback, and they experience a lot of distress as a result.
6. Planning and Prioritizing
   This function means the child can determine a goal and then set out to accomplish it. Kids who have lackluster planning and prioritizing skills may struggle to ascertain which parts of their task take precedence and how they should proceed further.
7. Task Initiation
   The penultimate executive function we will discuss is called task initiation. This means a child can act and start a given task. Those with weaker task initiation may experience being frozen and not do what is necessary.
8. Organization
   The final executive function we will specify is organization. A child with excellent organizational skills will be able to track things both physically and mentally. Conversely, a child who does not possess this quality will always lose focus and not have clarity in his train of thoughts.