Executive function

The mental processes people rely on to self regulate. The executive functions enable a person to control their thoughts, words, actions and emotions. They also assist them to perceive and manage time, and to direct and manage their behaviour over time.

In [[ADHD]] brains the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain that controls executive function, develops 30% slower, this translates to being about 3-6 years behind [[Neurotypical]] brains. Even once it has fully developed it is still impaired.

Response inhibition

• Stops you from making circumstantially offensive decisions.
• Stop you from making choices that interfere with your goals.

Working memory

• Is for the short term storage and manipulation of information.

Set shifting

• Is the ability to switch back and forward between different tasks.

Delay aversion

• Makes you want things as soon as possible which results in preference for small immediate over large delayed rewards.

Cognitive flexibility

• Helps us to sustain or shift attention in response to different demands or to apply different rules in different settings.

Is this actually about effort or an executive function issue?

— Jessica McCabe in What is Executive Function and Why Do We Need it?