What the EF? Understanding Executive Functioning Skills and ADHD
When people talk about ADHD, the conversation often centers on focus, attention, and impulsivity. As an ADHDer, a parent of ADHD children, and a professional who supports many ADHDers, I see executive functioning skills as the area where challenges show up most. These are the cognitive processes that help us “execute” tasks. Think of them like the executive of a business for your brain: they support goal setting, monitoring progress, following through, analyzing, and adjusting.
For search clarity: you may also see these challenges called “executive dysfunction” online. I use more affirming language here.
This article is an introduction to executive functioning and the eight core skills. It also kicks off a series where I will take a closer look at each skill and share strategies for people who experience challenges in that area.
Body Doubling: A Strategy for ADHD Task Completion
For individuals with ADHD, completing tasks—especially the ones we struggle with the most—can often feel like an uphill battle. Whether it’s getting started on a work project, studying for a test, writing, paying your bills, doing the dishes, or meal planning for the week, the difficulty in sustaining focus can feel overwhelming. Enter body doubling, a simple yet effective strategy where you work alongside another person for accountability and to increase focus.
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