What Are Executive Functions?
Lily Baiser, MS, OTR/L
When parents hear the term executive functions, it can sound like something out of a corporate boardroom — not something affecting your child’s daily life. But in reality, executive functions (EFs) are foundational brain skills that help your child thrive at home, in school, and in life.
💬 What Are Executive Functions?
Executive functions are the cognitive skills that allow us to plan, prioritize, manage time, stay focused, regulate emotions, and achieve goals. They are the “boss” of the brain — directing all the behind-the-scenes work that helps kids function independently and successfully.
Think of executive functions like:
🎼 The conductor of an orchestra — coordinating all the instruments (thoughts, behaviors, emotions) to play in harmony.
🛫 An air traffic controller — guiding every thought and action to land smoothly and avoid crashing.
In simple terms: executive functions are your child’s brain-based command center.
🧱 Why Are They So Important?
Imagine building a beautiful house — smooth walls, shiny windows, a brand-new roof. But if the foundation is crumbling, the house won’t stand.
That’s what it’s like when a child has strong academic or social skills but weak executive functioning. Without a solid base of planning, memory, emotional regulation, and impulse control, those other strengths can’t shine.
👶 Who Struggles with Executive Functions?
While all kids are still developing EF skills, some face more significant challenges. Trouble with executive functions is especially common in:
Children with ADHD (up to 90% experience EF difficulties)
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (up to 80%)
Kids with learning differences, anxiety, mood disorders, epilepsy, or trauma
It’s important to know: executive functioning challenges are not laziness or bad behavior. They are real, neurodevelopmental differences that deserve understanding — and support.
⚠️ Red Flag Moments: What EF Issues Might Look Like
You might see these struggles play out in everyday scenarios:
“Why can’t my child just clean up when I ask?”
“Why does screen time always end in a meltdown?”
“Why do small schedule changes cause such big reactions?”
These aren’t signs of defiance. They’re signs of a brain that’s still building essential skills.
🧠 The 12 Key Executive Function Skills (And What They Look Like in Real Life)
Understanding executive functions can feel abstract — so here’s a breakdown of the 12 essential EF skills and how they show up in your child’s everyday life.
1. Inhibition
The ability to control impulses and pause before acting.
Real-life example: Your child wants to shout out in class but is learning to raise their hand and wait their turn instead.
2. Attention Regulation
Staying focused, shifting attention when needed, and ignoring distractions.
Real-life example: They’re doing homework, but every time the dog barks or a sibling walks by, they completely lose track of what they were doing.
3. Emotional Regulation
Managing emotions in a way that fits the situation.
Real-life example: When their game gets turned off, instead of yelling or crying, they take a breath and ask for 5 more minutes next time.
4. Working Memory
Holding and using information in your mind to complete tasks.
Real-life example: You ask them to get dressed, brush their teeth, and pack their bag — but they only remember the first step.
5. Flexibility
Adapting when plans change or when something unexpected happens.
Real-life example: You pick them up from school and say you're making a quick stop at the store — they melt down because it wasn't part of the original plan.
6. Planning
Creating a roadmap to reach a goal.
Real-life example: They want to build a Lego castle, but don’t know where to start — or they jump in and get frustrated halfway through.
7. Problem-Solving
Figuring out how to handle a challenge or fix something that isn’t working.
Real-life example: Their tower keeps falling down, but instead of trying a new base, they just give up.
8. Organization
Keeping materials, thoughts, and spaces in order.
Real-life example: Their backpack is a jumble of crumpled papers, missing homework, and random toys — and they can’t find what they need.
9. Initiation
Getting started on a task without excessive procrastination or prompting.
Real-life example: You ask them to start their homework — and 20 minutes later, they’re still staring at the pencil.
10. Time Management
Understanding how long things take and using time effectively.
Real-life example: They insist a 20-minute show can fit in before bed… even though there are only 12 minutes until lights out.
11. Self-Monitoring
Being able to check and adjust performance while doing something.
Real-life example: They rush through their math worksheet and don’t notice they skipped half the problems — or that their name is missing.
12. Goal-Directed Persistence
Sticking with something — even when it’s boring, hard, or takes a while.
Real-life example: They start a school project with excitement… but abandon it halfway through when it gets tough or takes too long.
These skills don’t all develop at the same time — and for many children, they remain a work in progress well into adolescence. If your child struggles with several of these, they’re not alone. Support, structure, and practice can make a big difference.
✅ What You Can Do Next
Understanding executive functions is the first step in supporting your child with more clarity, more compassion, and more confidence.
Here’s the good news: When you understand your child’s unique executive functioning profile, you can start using targeted, real-life strategies that truly work. And you don’t have to figure it out alone.
At Kinspire Health, our therapists are uniquely trained to assess and support executive functioning in a way that’s practical, personalized, and grounded in your daily routines. From helping your child get dressed in the morning, to navigating transitions and emotions after school, we focus on real change where it matters most — in your home.
If you’re wondering how to help your child build these essential skills, we’re here for you.
Complete our Family Discovery Form to share where you may be seeing common indicators of executive function struggles.
You can then schedule a free consultation to speak live with one of our licensed occupational therapists, who will listen, learn about your family, and explain how our approach to care can support you every day.