Facts on Executive Functioning
Executive functioning is a set of higher level cognitive processes or skills, including self-control, time management, following multistep directions, attention, organization and planning. The prefrontal cortex, located in the frontal lobe of the brain, plays a central role in executive functioning or higher level cognitive skills. This area of the brain begins developing around the age of 7-8 and continues to develop into adulthood. There are also differences in executive functioning between males and females.
Conditions that typically impact executive functioning in children are:
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Autism
- Down syndrome
- Drug exposure in utero
- Epilepsy
- Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)
- Learning disabilities
- Brain injury or head trauma
Affects on daily living
- Academics: Children with strong executive functioning skills often excel in tasks such as reading, writing, and mathematical problem-solving.
- Social: Executive functioning skills are vital for social interactions. Children with well-developed executive functions can better navigate social situations, conflicts, understand others’ perspectives, and self-regulate their emotions.
- Daily Life: Children with strong executive functions can more effectively complete homework assignments, follow instructions, and organize their belongings. Executive functioning directly pacts time management and decision making. Imagine managing daily routines and tasks as an adult without having a good grasp on how long something will take, what order it should be done in, which task takes priority needing to be completed first and which one can be put off till another day. It would directly affect your ability to be successful in both your profession and personal life.
How can Polka Dot Kids help
We can assess a variety of components like sequence planning and primitive reflexes that can impact executive functioning as well as provide your family with ideas and activities to support the development of these skills at home.