Executive function and everyday activities

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Executive functioning and Executive dysfunction by Ask an Autistic

I also have a very difficult time keeping my apartment uncluttered. I'd like to get Tony Atwood's Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome just to see what's said in the section about executive functioning and keeping tidy.

Thanks for posting the video ASpartofme. I will be sharing that--it was the best explanation of the practical part of executive function problems that i have found.

You are welcome. I feel there is not enough understanding even among autistics knowledgable about autism about this topic. A large percentage of help me, I am confused about why I am like this type posts here on Wrong
Planet are related to executive functioning issues. I hope in the next version of the DSM Executive Functioning is added like sensory issues was added to the DSM 5. This is a description of the test given to measure executive functioning Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function.

I am wondering if this is why I can always get into starting a project of any kind and have very much trouble finishing things. My mind almost goes blank sometimes when I am trying to finish something. It's always bothered me because discipline is not the issue. It's like I can only get into the problem solving, but not the clean up. I can't even trick myself into approaching it as a problem to solve to get the cleanup started.

But, I get a visceral reaction to trying to finish things. Actual body sensations (Like a stomach burn) and tingles when I am trying to finish something of any scale. It does not matter how important or not, I still get the tingles and anxious feelings. They are just worse with the growing importance of the project. It can get paralyzing.

Thanks, i will check out the test. It truly does make a person feel defective when one can't manage simple things that others seem to find so easy. Or NTs can procrastinate on something and still accomplish it--while i truly can't wrap my head around it. But it looks like i am being lazy--and executive function impairment is probably something you can't comprehend if you don't have it. So it makes sense that this is seen as a character flaw rather than a neurological issue. But it still is hurtful for those of us who are doing our best and still feel like we are failing.

I get more done when I don't organize things.

I would put an addendum on that. As I have been getting deeper and deeper of an understanding, it would appear that this is something I have to deal with as well.
The addendum would be that if you have it, and don't know it, or are unaware of what it does, it creates a deeper sense of failure.

I have been trying to figure for years why I have difficulty with doing certain things. I'm an adult. 55. This shouldn't be like trying to get a 6 year old to do the yucky chores. Starting and finishing things is one of them. It is most certainly not a lack of discipline as I can tackle many things. But for some reason I get very overwhelmed by certain things and certainly starting and then finishing things. It is a visceral reaction. I can feel anxiety rise and indecision. It can get so bad that I actually tingle and feel my stomach burn. In the middle of doing some things, it is clear sailing. Starting seems to be a problem as I try to always map out a strategy and that may not be good because it seems to lock me in to a direction.

I feel a deep sense of failure. Always have. Why can I do some things so easily and then fail at simple things. The hard work is done. Why so overwhelming at completion and starting?

My problems in this area are greater than my social problems. I have "outgrown" a lot of my social issues as I have gotten more comfortable with people and learned how to interact better in casual social settings, though I still have only few friends. But the EF difficulties remain with me no matter what. It's not just a matter of learning a skill.

When i was doing my own shopping, I created a word-processed list that I could print out, then check off the items I needed to buy. It WAS arranged roughly by department of the grocery store. It's a bit of work at the start, but quite functional. It even jogs your memory to note things you might need, before leaving for the store.

I used to take my daughter grocery shopping, and she would stand forever in the cereal aisle trying to decide, that's all well and good but I was tired after a day of work and just wanted to get home.

I sometimes get the feeling of my arms and legs being too heavy to lift when i get that anxiety and indecision. I feel like i have literally hit a wall and i can't move. I too often feel like a failure when it hits. I am a good worker; i enjoy working hard at something that needs to be done. But this is different.

Much of this struggle depends on the task to be done. If the organizational part is the hard part, i am terrible at starting. If the organizational part is at the end, or it is a task where i need to "gather up the loose ends" and put things back in place, then i am poor at finishing. Sometimes pre-planning helps such as an organized list as BeaArthur suggests, but there are always things one cannot list exactly and those are the types of things that make me feel as though there is a wall in front of me keeping me from going on.

Last January I set out to teach myself how to make apps for mobile. I noticed that if I have something concrete to grasp and apply a concept, I get it much easier. But, it made for horrible starting points because I had nothing to attach the meanings of things to or any idea of how to plan for the unknown. But, getting into it and finding my way was a blast. But, finishing it up was a pain. Once I tackled the hard part, it got tedious. Real fast.

My parents always said it was hard to buy things for me as a child because I would get into it, find out how it worked and then just move on. No matter what type of toy.

So, two things emerge from this as it is behaviour that has been a part of me since the beginning:
1. I enjoy the problem and solving the problem. Once that emerges, I can get into it. But, once the problem is solved, I lose interest.
2. I can't really absorb anything unless it's applied to something I can associate with it.

The programming would be an example of number 2. I had toyed with programming off and on since the late 80's. Couldn't make heads or tails of it. But, as soon as I had something to apply it to, all that stuff made sense.
And, contrary to today's beliefs of 'it has to be fun', no, that's not it at all. I like doing the hard work. The stuff that expands my capabilities. It lets me get lost in my mind on purpose. Not something that entertains me.

Sometimes, it is hard to start on something that I don't want to do.
But once I start, I can usually get going and finish in reasonable time while doing good job.
The only thing that really helps start and carry on is willpower that is trained over time, I find.
There are no other techniques that have much or any effect.

Another helpful thing is the small reward for reaching a milestone on a project, even small project like this week's homework.
I just finished typing up problem 1 of my 3-problem homework, so I am going to get a food reward of lunch.
Then, after lunch, I will type up problem 2 and then go out for a nice drive and walk.

Yup, i hear you on this one. I don't necessarily mind if something isn't fun. Hard work is fine with me. It is entertaining. I like a challenge and getting better at something or adding to my knowledge. I have never been a "fun junkie"--the stuff that NTs get excited over doesn't thrill me at all. If something is fun to me, it is probably a sensory rush, such as playing in waves at the beach or go-cart racing, etc. But if given a choice, i will usually take something that takes hard work over "fun."

This thread is brilliant. I see not only myself, but at least four other family members reflected here. And the coping strategies that several of you have mentioned are helpful.

I have never really thought about my executive functions. Planning, organizing, working memory, metacognition, task initiation may be things that I am good at. For planning and organizing I use my computer and my smartphone. I would be severely handicapped without these two things. Google Calendar, Google Keep, Excel, Gmail are things that are a great help to me.

I have built an organizing system in my head when I want to go abroad for a week in a hotel and make trips to touristic spots during that week from that hotel. How do I get there? What trains must I take? How do I get a flying ticket? How does the public transport in the foreign capital city work? How do I book a hotel?

At work, my previous boss underestimated my organizing skills. Now I have set up a system that allows me to be interrupted by a more urgent task than a task I was working on.

Metacognition is something that I also learned. That is: what did I do wrong? (especially when I seem to have upset a colleague) If I did do wrong and I recognize that? I will apologize it, and say in my own words not only that she is wright and I am wrong, but also why she is right and why I am wrong. What went wrong? How do I prevent the same situation to occur again?