ADHD & Executive Functioning

Executive Function can lead to ADHD and other learning disabilities.
Read below to learn more about how to recognize it.

What is Executive Function?

WebMD (www.webmd.com) defines it as:

"Executive function refers to a set of mental skills that are coordinated in the brain's frontal lobe. Executive functions work together to help a person achieve goals."

When executive function breaks down it becomes difficult for a person to control their behavior. Such activites that can be poorly controlled are: being able to go to school or work, functioning independently, and maintaining appropriate social relationships.

Executive Function is broken down into two categories:

Organization: this involves gathering information and structuring it for evaluation.
Regulation: this involves taking stock of the environment and changing behavior in response to it.

What is ADHD?

The National Institute of Mental Health (www.nimh.nih.gov) defines it as:

"Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common childhood disorders and can continue through adolescence and adulthood. Symptoms include difficulty staying focused and paying attention, difficulty controlling behavior, and hyperactivity (over-activity)."

ADHD is catergorized into three subtypes:

Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive: most symptoms (six or more) are in the hyperactivity-impulsivity categories. Fewer than six symptoms of inattention are present, although inattention may still be present to some degree.
Predominantly inattentive: The majority of symptoms (six or more) are in the inattention category and fewer than six symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity are present, although hyperactivity-impulsivity may still be present to some degree. Children with this subtype are less likely to act out or have difficulties getting along with other children. They may sit quietly, but they are not paying attention to what they are doing. Therefore, the child may be overlooked, and parents and teachers may not notice that he or she has ADHD.
Combined hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive: Six or more symptoms of inattention and six or more symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity are present. Most children have the combined type of ADHD.

Indicators of ADHD can be linked to inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Although it is normal for children to have these behaviors, they happen to be more severe with ADHD cases. To learn more about the signs & symptoms of ADHD click here.

Learn more about:

Diagnosis: essential for determining where the breakdowns are occurring
Interventions: learning disorders CAN be overcome!