Executive Function

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I have seen some web articles claim that executive function is often lacking in aspies. But it doesn't explain beyond that. What the heck is executive function? How is it lacking in aspies? And how common is this symptom with aspies (or is it all of them)?

I think of executive function as the thing that can make yourself do things other than what comes impulsively, switch tasks, stop behaviors you don't want to exhibit, do things you should do but don't want to.

What I wonder is how much ADHD and executive function may overlap, or in fact be each other (maybe a subject for another thread).

I can haz?

Here's a basic definition with some examples of executive dysfunction:

http://www.minddisorders.com/Del-Fi/Exe ... ction.html

Here are a few tests posted by others:

http://www.wrongplanet.net/postt10188.html
http://www.brainfitnesscentersofflorida.com/quiz.php

I managed to score in the 1st percentile on both measures of that test, LOL. (Fortuntately, I'm not surprised.)

To the OP:

I'm not sure how accurate my rough understanding is, but I think of it as the ability to accomplish a task in an efficient manner.

I.e. if the task is to make breakfast: I have to get eggs from the fridge first, put out a clean plate, put oil in the pan and turn on the stove, switch to the task of making coffee by putting a cup of water in the microwave, remember to switch back to the pan w/the now hot oil in it, then crack and cook the eggs, remember to switch back to the hot water in the microwave & add coffee to it, remember to swtich and turn the stove off, and put the cooked egg on the plate.

So, it involves breaking something down into multiple tasks and performing them in the correct order in order to reach the desired outcome. I.e. if you get 'stuck' on the making coffee (just standing there waiting for the microwave to finish), then the oil in the pan catches fire. If you get the order of the steps mixed up, you put the eggs in the pan before the oil. And you have to not get the steps of the tasks mixed up, like putting the instant coffee in the pan instead of the oil (I've actually done things like that).