What are executive functioning issues?

Executive functioning (E.F.) issues are weaknesses in a key set of mental skills; they often appear in kids with learning and attention issues.  We all use EF skills to organise and act on information.  IF a child’s E.F. is low (s)he may struggle with some or all of the following:

Impulse control:
Blurting out inappropriate stuff and perhaps acting impulsively

Emotional control:
May be guilty of overreacting  and finds it hard to keep emotions in check

Flexible thinking:  
Might find it hard to adapt thinking to another angle and adjust to the unexpected

Working memory:  
Might find it challenging to follow instructions and retain key information in the short term

Self monitoring:        
Helps to evaluate how we are doing, a child with weak EF might struggle with self-monitoring

Planning and prioritizing:
Helps one to know where to start on a project, what is most important and how to plan

Task initiation:
Helps a child to know where to start, otherwise they may not or simply freeze up

Organisation:  
Helps a kid keep track, kids with weak EF may lose their phones, jackets, shoes, homework etc.