Counseling for Executive Function Problems

What is executive functioning?

Are you or someone you love struggling with memory, thinking, or processing speed? You may benefit from meeting with us about problems with executive functioning. These problems are not uncommon, as 1 in 6 children in the United States are presumed to have a mental, behavioral, or developmental disturbance.

Executive functioning refers to those higher order brain processes and critical thinking skills that we all depend on. Executive functioning is synonymous with conscious brain functioning, and the carry out of thought processes and behaviors that involve preplanning and speed of delivery.

Executive functioning consists of the essential higher order skill sets such as appropriate assessment and carry out of:

• Emotions.
• Behaviors.
• Cognitions.
• Information processing.
• Inhibition.
• Setting and achieving goals.
• Memory.
• Response.

Executive functioning can also include may other aspects of thinking, behaving, processing, and decision making.

You may recognize problems in executive functioning if you notice you or someone you love is having problems with complex processing or struggling to apply acceptable intellectual or learning strategies to the task at hand. The severity of these problems may depend on your own individual factors.

Problems and Difficulties in Executive Functioning 

Problems in executive functioning can present in individuals of all ages. If you are having problems with executive functioning, you may notice difficulty processing thoughts, an incapacity to sustain or maintain appropriate levels of self-control, and you may occasionally or frequently operate below expected levels of functioning or development.

Other presentations of executive functioning problems that you may notice are the inability to make rational or timely decisions, and a lack of general thinking skills. 

There are many disorders that involve problems in executive functioning. Some diagnosable disorders that are linked to problems in executive functioning are known to be:

• Intellectual disabilities.
• Communication disorders.
• Autism spectrum disorder.
• ADHD.
• Learning disorders.
• Brain injury
• These are among many other known disorders.

Sometimes these issues are not linked to any disorder, but interventions are always important.

Assessment and Treatment

It is important for you and your family to seek help if you are having problems in any of these areas of functioning and comprehension. Assessment, help, and treatment options are important for you no matter if you or your loved one is a child, an adult, or an older person.

Treatment for executive functioning issues may be fun and enjoyable, and often these types of treatments lead to quick skill building. These treatments often focus on exercises, trainings, and optimizing the skills that you or your loved one may already have.

Here at ThoughtWise, treatment and assessment of these issues are what we specialize in. If you notice that you or someone you love struggles with executive functioning, the most important step you can take is to consult with us about our recommendations and treatment options for you.

We may be able to help you or your loved one find relief with the problems associated with executive functioning, please contact us to find out what we can do for you today.