7 Myths of Executive Functioning

What do you think of when you hear the terms “Executive Functioning” or “Executive Function skills?” 

It sounds like language reserved for high-level professionals, CEOs, VPs and other upper-level management positions, doesn’t it?

Or maybe its language used in business conversations, like: 

“Bob, sure has some fine Executive Function skills! Look at how well he led that meeting today and answered everyone’s questions…And he even ended on time.”

Don’t let the terms fool you. These skills aren’t reserved for an elite group of professionals. Everyone has access to these core life skills.

So what exactly are these skills? Executive Function (EF) skills help us manage the many moving parts and demanding responsibilities of life, whether it’s related to our jobs, our homes, our relationships, and even our hobbies and fun too. EF skills help us manage the totality of our lives. 

Let’s talk about the 7 Common Myths of Executive Functioning…

Myth #1: Executive functioning issues aren't real. 

FACT: Mental health professionals turn to the DSM-5 for a diagnosis of ADHD, but there is no listing for Impaired Executive Functioning within this manual. A second manual, the ICD-11, catalogs known human diseases, medical conditions, and mental health disorders, and is used as a global health categorization tool that can be used across countries and in different languages. This catalog (ICD-11) is used for insurance coding purposes and for statistical tracking of illnesses. (Unless these two different criteria manuals are used together, you may never get the proper diagnosis you need.)

The ICD-11 code for Impaired Executive Functioning is MB21.7. This impairment can coexist with ADHD, depression, anxiety, trauma, and more.   

Impaired Executive Functioning  Is a REAL CONDITION!

Myth #2: People are born with Executive Function Skills. 

FACT: No One Is Born with Executive Function Skills. The foundation for EF skills development begins in infancy as babies first learn to pay attention, especially under the care of responsive adults. Throughout childhood, EF skills continue to be developed through game playing and through increasing responsibilities throughout preteen to young adulthood. 

Myth #3: You have to have ADHD to exhibit weak executive functioning?

FACT: You don’t have to have ADHD to exhibit weak executive functioning. Although many people with ADHD struggle with EF processes, it is not limited to ADHD. In fact, there is not one direct cause of underdeveloped EF skills. That’s because it’s the prefrontal cortex in the brain that’s in control of our executive functioning, and there are many reasons it could be underdeveloped. 

Many other mental health conditions such as learning differences, anxiety and depression can derail the development of EF skills. This is because the energy and focus it takes in concentration, decision-making, task organization, inhibitory control, and other EF skills is focused elsewhere. And these dysfunctions, as well as trauma, can affect the smooth processing of the prefrontal cortex, also causing EF skills to become hindered, sometimes when you need them the most.

Myth #4: With enough time you can outgrow executive functioning issues. 

FACT: Because executive functioning issues are brain-based, it’s something that you never outgrown…Even once you’ve healed up from trauma, chronic illness or overcome depression, your brain and EF skills are set at the level you had achieved prior to the life circumstances you experienced. EF skills don’t just magically reboot and appear on the scene to support you if they haven’t been developed. 

Myth #5: There's nothing you can do about executive functioning issues. 

FACT: Executive Functioning is a set of skills that can be learned, just like riding a bicycle, tying your shoes, or learning to swim. And thanks to the brain’s neuroplasticity, change is possible at any age. With the right strategies and methodology, you can develop your EF skills through consistent practice and experimentation to find what works best for you. There are no quick-fixes for developing EF skills. 

Myth #6: Medication for ADHD will help me with executive functioning.

FACT: Medication alone does not help with the development of Executive Function skills. Medication often improves concentration and decreases the fatigue that's common with ADHD due to the enormous amount of effort exerted on a daily basis to function. But as I often say, “There are no skills in pills.” 

Myth #7: Employers won't give accommodations for executive functioning issues. 

FACT: You can advocate for accommodations within your workplace environment, by working with your mental health professional and using the two different criteria manuals (DSM-5 and ICD-11–code  MB21.7 for Impaired Executive Functioning) to receive a proper diagnosis and mental health professional recommendations.  

Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is a helpful American-based network resource for understanding what’s available for you in your workplace. For more information, click here. 

If you live in the UK, resources are available through the government’s Access To Work Program. Many have received funds to cover expenses for Executive Function skills training and coaching, such as my ADDventures In Achievement Foundational Skills Program.  For this UK information, click here.

Now that you have the facts about Executive Functioning, what will you do with what you now know? 

Are you thinking about developing your EF skills?

If you’d like to learn more about Executive Function skills development as well as my ADDventures In Achievement Foundational Skills Program, click here.