Supporting school-aged children with executive dysfunction

Abstract

Since the 1940s, scientists have been interested in how we maintain attention, balance multiple tasks, and carry out instructions. From this, the term executive function (EF) was born. Although its definition has changed over the years, it can be simply described as the processes of our brain that allow us to focus on what we find important. Alternatively, executive dysfunction is the inability to focus on what we find important. In the age of cell phone notifications, doom scrolling, and a general feeling of information overload, many of us can relate to wanting to stay on-task. At the time of writing this article, TikTok videos with the hashtag “executive dysfunction” have accumulated over 168 million views, reflecting a growing interest in what makes up executive function, and alternatively, what can be done when our focus feels impaired. As families inevitably bring their questions about EF to the clinic, how do we discuss it? What recommendations can we make for children with executive dysfunction?