I´m an aspie, and I read several times that the main disfunction in Asperger´s is in “executive functions”, but I never understand what that means. I know it is related to memery, planning, etc., but I don´t get what is the thing that unify all that things and makes them get in one single “class”.
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Executive functioning is actually a range of things. Basically your brain is really complicated and has loads going on at once. The role of a properly developed executive functioning system is to override lots of other things so you can get stuff done. A scenario would be in a class room at school, the teacher asks you to answer 5 questions from page 39 in 15 minutes and what you don’t finish you do for homework and bring tomorrow. Except you have a fun event tonight. And your friend behind you wants to pass you a note. The label on your t shirt itches. You are in a bad mood because someone was mean to another student. You executive function kicks in: it gets you to self monitor – you assess what is most important right now the task, the other student, your friend. Self control & emotional regulation- can you ignore the sensation of the label on the t-shirt? If not can you do something effective? Calms your emotional state regarding the mean student. Task initiation, how is it best to start the task the teacher has given? Read the questions first or the chapter. Flexibility- can you multi task by taking the note while starting the task from the teacher? Planning and time management – how long to spend on each question the teacher has given, do you have time to read the note? If you don’t finish when might you do the homework? What may the consequences of failure be? Working memory- can you remember what you were asked to do to begin with?
Our executive functioning developes over time, for some people it’s not fully developed until early 20’s. If you are neurodiverse then this can affect elements of executive functioning too due to the way your brain is wired.
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