#executive functioning

You Are Not Lazy

Executive dysfunction often looks like laziness from the outside. There's so much more to the story.

What It Looks Like: What It Really Is:

Lazy — Overstimulated

Distracted — Understimulated

Inconsiderate — Exhausted

Unmotivated. — Burntout

Irresponsible — Depressed

Stubborn — Anxious

Disorganized — Overwhelmed

Careless — Lacking Support

Impatient — Fear of Failure

Indifferent — Afraid to Ask Questions

Uncaring — Questions

Stupid — Trouble Getting Started

Rude — Uninterested

Thoughtless — Time Blindness

Inconsistent — Time Blindness

Unobservant — Uninterested

Absent Minded — Difficulty Switching Tasks

Planners, checklists, and reminders are definitely executive function supports, but they aren't the only things that are available. ...so, I've made a list of some examples. A thread (🧵)

Executive functioning includes so much, so executive function supports can be SO MANY things. Executive functions include decision making, working memory, task initiation, planning, prioritizing, many forms of self-regulation, and more.

So let's talk in broad categories

Category 1: Decisionmaking

Avoiding a decision altogether,

Choosing randomly,

Reducing the number of options to decide between,

Always doing the same decision (such as having a uniform for yourself),

Outsourcing decisions,

Having outside structure/expectations

Category 2: Working memory

Keeping things visible,

Reminders,

Collaborators who gently remind you of things,

Writing it down (i.e., notebooks, post-its, to-do lists, etc.),

External structure such as lunch hours,

Understanding why and how working memory fails

Category 3: Information processing

Avoiding weak processing areas (eg. reading for dyslexics like me)

Have information in multiple forms,

Make information processing context relevant,

Reduce incoming information or competing demands

Category 4: Task Management

Body doubling,

Transition time,

To-do lists,

Breaking tasks down (including people to help with that),

External structure for identify the next step,

clear, explicit instructions,

Schedules, planners, itineraries.

Category 5: Organization

Mind maps,

Labels, 

Notetaking templates,

Physical organizers,

Organizing methods (Kondo, Only 4 Things, etc.),

House cleaners, professional organizer, etc.

Clear bins,

An ability to toggle visibility

Category 6: Cognitive Flexibility

Transition time,

Pre-change warnings,

External support for identifying and reminding the new direction,

Context-based exemplars of similar change,

Visual schedules,

Reminders of when structure will start again

I've listed a lot of things here, but there are just so, so, so many more options.

Executive function supports can be ways that we think or approach situations (internal) or structures imposed on us by others (external). They can be physical tools that we can touch and interact with (tangible) or completely abstract ideas or approaches (intangible)

The big takeaways are that executive function supports can be any tool, structure, or communication that supports any of our executive functions.

Executive functioning struggles are core to the ADHD and autistic experiences (and secondary to other ND conditions). This means executive functioning takes a lot of energy for ADHD and/or autistic people, and the more support we have the more energy we can use for other things

So, yeah, planners, checklists, and reminders are definitely executive function supports, but so is a highschool bell schedule, hobby-related groups, professional services, and colleagues (consensually) harassing you to remember to send that email.

Posting by request of @robotslenderman, my mini-kit! This is a hard-shell glasses case - I got mine because I wear glasses, but you can get them on their own at pharmacies. It's a nice compact little way to carry Assorted Bits And Pieces with you when you go out, or just to keep them handy at your desk so they're Right There when you need them.

Mine contains a glasses cleaning cloth, bandaids, some blutak in a bit of paper, antihistamines, ibuprofen and paracetamol, and throat lozenges. You can also include nail clippers/scissors, safety pins, other sorts of meds like antacids, prescription meds (if you get caught out somewhere), tampons, tissues (I usually carry a small pack of those on their own, though), or, really, anything that might come in handy and can fit inside!

survive the work day - mask, flow like water as much as possible, keep a list, breathe

do 1 load of laundry

order some groceries

reframe: if you do these things, this day will be a huge win!!!! you are low on energy, you are out of routine. this means that anything you do today to love and take care of yourself is commendable, even if no one else in the entire world sees it

^ v