Executive Function Disorder

Does anybody else have this?

I have been looking at possible reasons as to why I struggle so much with day to day life, or get stressed very easily over such minor, insignificant things.

Found this table today that describes the most common issues, and found I struggle with at least 10 out of the 12 things:

Executive Function

Real World Example

Task Initiation

Displays procrastination – puts off minor household tasks such as changing lights or doing the dishes after dinner

Planning

Cannot explain priorities and goals – loses out on opportunities such as going to a favorite restaurant due to not making reservations or planning ahead

Organization

Is always looking for something – loses money, keys, wallet, or cell phone on a regular basis

Time Management

Works very slowly – underestimates how much time it will take to complete tasks such as going food shopping or making dinner

Flexibility

Experiences problems with changes in routine and schedule – becomes overly upset when a meeting or plans are changed

Metacognition

Cannot explain how she intends to approach or solve a problem – often feels that things that happen to her are outside of her control

Response Inhibition

Can be impulsive – drinks or gambles too much without considering the impact

Regulation of Affect

Gets angry or upset easily – goes into a rage or angry display in response to a perceived criticism

Social Awareness

Is unaware of other people’s feelings – unknowingly stands too close in conversations or otherwise makes them uncomfortable

Sustained Attention

Starts one thing after another without finishing them or reads a book without paying attention to the content and needs to reread it

Goal-Directed Persistence

Is bored by long-term tasks – starts cleaning the garage or basement and gives up after an hour

Working Memory

Is absent-minded – often forgets items she wants when food shopping

If you have EFD, or agree with a lot of the points above, please can you let me know what you use to cope with different day to day issues.

Thanks

Parents
  • Former Member
    Former Member

    Trogluddite said:

    For autistic people, the 'sustained attention' and 'goal directed' areas can be a little different than described above (though not always).  Rather than our attention wandering too easily, we often display long periods of perseveration - an extreme kind of 'one track mind'.  For example, once I have engaged in a task, I cannot stand to be interrupted until I have finished - my focus is so on that single task that other thoughts are excluded and I can even lose awareness of my surroundings and physical discomfort.

    In my case, I have certainly been able to sustain my concentration and focus at some points in my life but am aware that if I am stressed or anxious or under great pressure then it can all go to pieces. I think that someone who is aware of, and in control of, their autism and their environment can achieve great things. In modern life in modern organisations with open plan offices and relentless target setting then we don't perform so well.

    It is very hard to work out what behaviour has which root cause but it is certainly a good thing to try and split out the different issues that we have to try and deal with them individually. If you can deal with one issue then move on to another area then you can potentially climb out of a hole that you have fallen into.

Reply
  • Former Member
    Former Member

    Trogluddite said:

    For autistic people, the 'sustained attention' and 'goal directed' areas can be a little different than described above (though not always).  Rather than our attention wandering too easily, we often display long periods of perseveration - an extreme kind of 'one track mind'.  For example, once I have engaged in a task, I cannot stand to be interrupted until I have finished - my focus is so on that single task that other thoughts are excluded and I can even lose awareness of my surroundings and physical discomfort.

    In my case, I have certainly been able to sustain my concentration and focus at some points in my life but am aware that if I am stressed or anxious or under great pressure then it can all go to pieces. I think that someone who is aware of, and in control of, their autism and their environment can achieve great things. In modern life in modern organisations with open plan offices and relentless target setting then we don't perform so well.

    It is very hard to work out what behaviour has which root cause but it is certainly a good thing to try and split out the different issues that we have to try and deal with them individually. If you can deal with one issue then move on to another area then you can potentially climb out of a hole that you have fallen into.

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