Executive functions include (but are not limited to) paying attention, concentration, self-control, emotional regulation, working memory, switching between tasks, the ability to keep track of multiple thoughts, and planning.

 

Issues with executive functions are often associated with ADHD and ASD, but they can also occur in people with other diagnoses or in more neurotypical people.

 

These issues can have large impacts on a person's life: from taking care of day-to-day life tasks to holding down a job to grappling with depression and extremely low self-esteem. In the worst cases, they can lead to suicide, as hearing how badly you are handling things that are “supposed” to be easy over and over again can be devastating.