What is Executive Function? Can't find what you're looking for?
Our health information specialists are here to help. Contact us
at 800-233-4050 or online. Executive Function (EF) refers to
brain functions that activate, organize, integrate and manage
other functions. It enables individuals to account for short and
long term consequences of their actions and to plan for those
results. It also allows individuals to make real time
evaluations of their actions, and make necessary adjustments if
those actions are not achieving the desired result. There are
differing models of executive function put forth by different
researchers, but the above statements cover the basics that are
common to most. Two of the major ADHD researchers involved in
studying EF are Russell Barkley, PhD, and Tom Brown, PhD.
Barkley breaks executive functions down into four areas: -
Nonverbal working memory - Internalization of Speech (verbal
working memory) - Self-regulation of affect/motivation/arousal -
Reconstitution (planning and genera