Have you noticed that your child seems to be losing things, struggling in school, or getting upset with any change? They may be experiencing executive functioning challenges.
As a parent with a child diagnosed with autism, the idea of another developmental challenge may feel overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be.
Learn how executive functioning and autism intersect and how ABA therapy can help with both.
What Is Executive Functioning?
Executive functioning covers numerous brain processes needed for planning and regulation. When people have executive functioning challenges, they can struggle with emotional regulation, achieving goals, making decisions, and socializing with peers.
Executive functioning affects:
- Working memory: Makes sense of information you get, allowing you to adjust thinking as new information is presented.
- Cognitive flexibility: Adapts to changes in personal situations, tasks, or environments.
- Inhibition control: Controls thoughts, emotions, actions, and focus.
An example of executive dysfunction is when a child struggles to do work in school when the subject is changed. They are working on a math worksheet and are told to work on science instead. In their head, they still should be working on math, so they can’t focus on science.
How Are Autism and Executive Functioning Connected?
While not the case for every person with autism, many people with autism have executive functioning challenges. It’s believed the connection between autism and executive functioning is due to people with autism using their brains differently compared to those without autism.
A meta-analysis of 26 studies comparing executive functioning (EF) abilities in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) reported that children with autism had:
- A higher rate of cognitive flexibility challenges
- Slower reaction times
- An increase in repeating words or actions (perseverative responses)
- Difficulty with how long the flexibility test was
- More errors in working memory tests
The analysis also discussed how children with autism had slower subsequent thinking (following steps/instructions). This suggests that comprehension is not the issue for those with autism, but rather the speed at which other people speak or expect them to complete tasks.
Executive Function vs. Dysfunction Examples
As parents, you might wonder how executive functioning challenges may appear in your child. There is no one sign. Each child is unique, and executive functioning covers numerous processes.
Here’s a helpful chart to get you started, but always discuss any concerns you have with your child’s pediatrician or other medical professionals.
Situation | Executive Dysfunction Response | Executive Functioning Response |
Changing plans |
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Changing a rule in a game |
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Switching tasks |
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Getting corrected |
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Planning an event |
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Focusing on what another person says |
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Acting without thinking |
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Arguing with another person |
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Following a task schedule |
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Working with others |
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Handling feelings of overwhelm |
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Solving a problem |
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When Should Parents Seek Support for Their Autistic Child’s Executive Function Challenges?
Parents should seek out support for their child if they notice an unusual increase in situations such as:
- Forgetting to turn in homework
- Struggling with interacting with others
- Losing/forgetting things
- Being disorganized
- Struggling in school
- Having teachers worried about them
- Berating themselves for their “lack” of abilities
- Struggling with daily routines
How ABA Therapy Helps Those with Autism Improve Their Executive Functioning Skills
Here are a few examples of ABA therapy strategies used with children:
- Provide visual supports: Your ABA team can create visual supports for your child, such as a schedule, checklists, and labeling spaces for specific activities. This can provide support while your child develops executive functioning skills.
- Break tasks down into smaller steps: An ABA technique called chaining breaks a big task, such as doing homework, into a series of smaller, more manageable steps. There is also backward chaining, which is a series of small steps that start at the endpoint and go backward.
- Teach coping strategies: Often, children get frustrated due to their executive functioning challenges, and it can make their situation worse. The ABA team can teach your child coping skills such as deep breathing, removing themself from the triggering stimuli, or interrupting their negative thought patterns.
- Support your child during school: Some providers, like Spectrum Behavioral Therapies, offer school shadowing services. This is when ABA team members are with your child during school hours. The team member will assist with staying on task, emotional regulation, or whatever else is needed for a successful school environment.
- Teach through play: An ABA team will teach your child various skills through play, such as teaching impulse control through Red Light, Green Light, or developing mental flexibility by having the child switch characters during play.
- Reinforce positive behaviors: Reinforcement is an ABA technique in which the team offers something to encourage positive behavior or completion of tasks.
Spectrum’s Behavioral Therapies’ Early Intervention and Foundations services can help determine the right care program for your child.
Practical Strategies to Support Executive Functioning Skills at Home
Executive functioning growth doesn’t have to happen just in ABA therapy sessions. It can happen at home. Here are some ways parents can support their child’s executive functioning.
- Play or exercise: Both exercise and play use executive functioning in fun ways. Playing a sport is a great example: The child has to change tasks, listen and work with others, and resist impulses so they don’t break the rules.
- Use timers: Timers can help your child organize their thoughts and abilities by knowing ahead of time that they have to work on a task for a specific amount of time.
- Use different apps: Scheduling, reminders, or certain game apps can help maintain and develop different executive functioning skills. Ask your ABA team if they have any recommendations.
- Show visual aids: If the ABA team thinks visual aids would be helpful, implement them at home.
- Set a good example: Kids often learn by example, so be extra aware of your actions. For example, problem solve out loud, show how you work through tasks step by step, or verbalize how you adapt to change.
- Focus on your child’s strengths: As your child does ABA therapy, they may start to lose confidence because the focus is on development rather than on what they are already good at. Make sure to compliment them on their current strengths when they feel less confident.
- Follow the ABA team’s instructions: If the team is breaking down tasks, prompting your child to do certain actions, or giving one step at a time, you should do the same at home. This provides consistency that’s needed for proper skill development.
Executive Functioning Can Be Improved
If your child has executive functioning challenges, they can get the support they need, whether they have autism or not. With time, effort, and proper support, they can develop skills and coping mechanisms to thrive in life.
Contact Spectrum Behavioral Therapies to schedule an assessment and start ABA therapy today.
Executive Functioning FAQs
Is executive dysfunction the same as ADHD?
No, executive dysfunction is not the same as ADHD. Executive dysfunction is a series of symptoms, while ADHD is a formal diagnosis. They can crossover, but they are not the same.
This is why it’s important to consult professionals when you have any medical concerns about your child.
Can executive functioning challenges affect adults with autism?
Yes, executive functioning challenges can affect adults with autism. Often, the dysfunctions were considered something the adult “would grow out of” and weren’t addressed.
Spectrum Behavioral Therapies offers ABA therapies to adults.
Can executive functioning challenges affect social skills?
Yes, executive functioning challenges can affect social skills. Not being able to pay attention to what others are saying, retain information, and control impulses can make it difficult to connect with peers.
How do schools support students with executive functioning challenges?
Schools can support students with executive functioning challenges through accommodation plans and working with the ABA team when shadowing the child.
