Executive Dysfunction

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Can you tell me what Executive Dysfunction is for you? I'm just now hearing about this term.

When I think about my own Executive Functioning, I think there is a part of me that just really is resistant to doing it at all. Like, I look at these suggestions for managing Executive Function, and it's like 'set reminders' 'organize in file folders' 'break things into pieces'

and I'm like: NO

I don't want to. If I spend all my time organizing my activities, when will I have time to do anything?

I have worked in an office for many years now, so I must have some ability to organize myself. But I actively work against deeper levels of organization because I just refuse. I am not going to track and organize every little thing because where does it end?!

Executive Function.

It's got anything to do with organized thoughts relevant to working memory, short term memory, planning and prioritizing.
Self-awareness, behavioral management, regulating senses and emotions.

This is more or less automatic.


Executive dysfunction got nothing to do with disliking organization and not having organizing skills.
The former is a preference than outcome of behaviors.
The latter is a skill, an ability -- regardless of preference.


I have executive function issues.
I want order but I suck at it no thanks to executive function issues.
I never resist order or any attempts to, yet my attempts are mainly ineffective making it frustrating.

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People who get really drunk on a night out manage to get home, they call it a kind of take me home mode their brain goes into.

Executive Function is like that a kind of sleep auto pilot the brain goes into to complete basic tasks.

Like cruise control on a car it allows the foot a rest but if you touch the accelerator or break it switches off quickly.

Like getting up in the morning, remembering to shower, put on the right clothes and leaving in time to get to work. But if something unexpected happens like a knock on the door it switches off.

Basically allows the brain to save energy to concentrate on higher functions like decision making, socializing etc..

Some with autism have problems with executive functioning so they have to concentrate on everything and quickly get burned out.

IT looks like forgetting to do things after about 10 seconds. I'm like ooh, I need to go to the bathroom and in the 10 seconds I'm like why did i get up again. Remembering to do more than one thing not gonna happen. I also can never remember to do things at a given time. I've gotten a bit better at that tho. Sometimes it also looks like, putting things in the wrong place. Instead of putting the towel in the hamper i might put it in the garbage etc. Unless something catches my attention well. It just kinda pops out. It can even happen more than once. Sometimes it takes 3-4 times to remember it. and I agree with you with the list thing. And anyway having dysgraphia It'd either take way longer to write it or i couldn't read it.

Executive functioning is, I believe now, my main autistic disorder.

Since learning about EF and what it does, it has become more and more clear to me how it messes up every day of my life and causes anxiety and keeps me from making positive changes in my life.

OP, I have come to see that in me, that thought "Oh, I don't want to do that," is actually one EF crutch I use. All the various systems for organizing that seem, as you point out, to take more time than just doing it.

Now that I know about it, I can start to recognize where I am mis-firing. As I gather more data, I can start to see patterns in my mis-functioning. Once I see patterns, I can start to think about how to disrupt those patterns. Sometimes it is more important to disrupt a pattern than it is to fix it. Gotta disrupt it first.

The reason I am working on EF now in my life is because I have recognized how miserable it makes me. Always being anxious about whether I am getting everything done, constant mind discussions about what to do next and why can't I be more organized, and how will I fit this in. Etc, etc.

Interestingly enough, I run a small business with several employees, over 100 clients, many moving parts and deadlines and things to keep track of. Just the fact that I have been doing this successfully for 20 years might indicate I was good at organizing. But you would be wrong. I do it by being anxious and thinking about it every minute. I don't want to live that way anymore.

You are right, of course. I passed it over because the problem is with executive functioning....

Thank you for your responses. This is helpful perspective for me.