How to develop executive functioning

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I'm sick and tired of not having any executive functioning. How do I develop some?

Try learning work-arounds, like getting a scheduler that beeps when you need to do stuff.

I don't know but I was just thinking this. It's really getting me down.

I'm not sure one can really develop executive functioning. There is research being done on high-functioning autistic people to see if cognitive enhancement therapy can change the way the brain works (for the better).

But other than that, I think that people with executive functioning problems just learn techniques to adapt. Those with ADHD have very similar problems with executive functioning.

There are a lot of self-help books for those with ADHD to teach them to manage problems with executive functioning. These books would also probably be useful for aspies with similar problems. It's just a matter of learning tricks to compensate for what the brain isn't doing correctly.

So, in other words, I'm screwed.

No you aren't screwed. You just need a little bit of help. You can learn the techniques that you need. I've already come up with things that help me. And I'm going to get some ideas to help with the other things that I haven't fixed yet.

But if you have the attitude that nothing can help, then you will not put full effort into making changes. Don't defeat yourself before you even try.

Don't try harder, try differently.

Saying you're screwed because you can't develop normal executive functioning is like saying a Deaf person is screwed because they can't learn to speak. They can learn to sign instead. You just need to find your equivalent of sign language.

But if I can't develop executive functioning, how will I ever hold down a job? Or get a high school diploma and a college degree? Or make myself attend to my housework and personal hygiene? Or hell, even play games like Magic: The Gathering that require a person to think on their feet? I feel like I NEED executive functioning to do all of these things, which I sorely lack.

It probably doesn't help that my OCD meds (really just Zoloft prescribed off-label) give me brain fog and make me feel like a zombie all around... though it seems that if I'm not feeling like a zombie, then I'm bouncing off the walls from anxiety. Why can't I just have a brain that works normally? Why can't I just focus on s**t and do s**t that I don't want to do, but know that I need to do? Arrgh, I feel like I have all this intelligence that's just going to waste because I can't seem to DO anything with it.

Honestly, the worst part about all this is explaining it to neurotypicals. "You seem really high functioning." "You're really smart." "Do you have a job yet?" "Are you finished school yet?" Fuuuuuuck, if I were nonverbal or obviously mentally handicapped or something, then I wouldn't have to deal with this BS.

Honestly, my number one goal in life is to get people off my back, and to get them to leave me the f**k alone so I can just do my thing and enjoy my life. I hate putting up with other people and their BS. So why do I come here, to a forum with thousands of other members? Because it's not the same as dealing with people in real life; there are people here who actually understand my issues somewhat, and from my side of things, all it really involves is reading and typing.

My apologies for the rant.

It's ok. I understand why you feel that way. I really have a lot of problems with it, too. It has made my life terribly difficult.

But as Ettina said, it's almost like being a deaf person. You have to learn other ways of doing things. It is most definitely possible!

I've managed to make a lot of progress myself. Pick something to work on and just take one step at a time. Get books for people with ADHD (who have problems with executive functioning), find a therapist or group for people with ASD.

It can be done! But only if you are willing to try.

I feel your pain.

Apparently "studies show" that cardio exerciser improves EF. It seems reasonable. If you're out of shape, you probably have to do some strength training before you can handle cardio.

I believe that executive function is acting on any selfish impulse.

I think of stories, where people throw a dart at the map, to decide where they will go.

You would typically restrain that, if it causes harm to yourself or others.

Or, you would at least acknowledge that you were being selfish.

Fitness, hygiene, driving, and work require a conscious (and sometimes selfish) choice, and do not come automatically, for NT people, like on accident. They have to prepare, mentally and situationally, to indulge whatever whim they may be having.

This seems like a somewhat unique definition of Executive Functioning.
Executive Functioning is the ability to plan, organize, structure and also act (aka execute) on a plan.

There are a lot of good write-ups about impaired executive function, though I have also found that there is often more helpful, practical stuff in ADD/ADHD circles than in Autism circles. This, for example which gives a good overview of executive functioning issues:
http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/7051.html

It doesn't seem like there are any easy ways to improve this, but there are things that can help, like using reminder apps/calendars with alarms, keeping lists and making using them part of a routine and some other more specific stuff like keeping things in clear containers so the contents are not "out of sight, out of mind" etc.

Good luck with this--if you find any really good techniques, please share!

My work arounds begin with deciding what should be in a calendar/diary/set as a reminder.
I use Maslows Hierarchy of Needs as a guideline on how to prioritise and I start with three lists: Needs, Wants and Desires.

Needs are the top priority for time management e.g. planning meals, food shopping, developing the habit of cleaning as I go, looking after my physical and mental well-being.

Physiological Needs: These include everything essential for survival. Basically food, water, air and sleep. These needs are instinctive and all other needs are secondary until these primary physiological needs are reached.

Security Needs: They consist of the need for security and safety. Security needs are also critical for survival, but to a lesser extent than physiological needs. Examples include shelter from the environment, employment, a safe living environment, and health care.

Wants Are non essential for basic survival, they are important but for time management purposes they come second to needs.

Social Needs: Humans are naturally social animals. This means we thrive from interaction, belonging, love, and affection. Friendships, romantic attachments, and family relationships all fulfill this need for companionship and acceptance.

Esteem Needs: Esteem needs include the need for things that reflect on personal worth, self-esteem, social recognition, and accomplishment.

Desires: might happen in the long term if needs and wants are actively established.

Self-Actualization: People who reach this ultimate need realize their personal potential and self-fulfillment, and they seek personal growth and peak experiences. Self-actualization is when a person essentially finds a meaning in life that is important to them. These people are fully aware of their potential and know exactly what they are capable of. While self-actualization might mean creating works of art or writing a novel for some, it could be excelling in a sport, the classroom, or even your career.

Then I write a list of the habits I need to form to meet my basic needs, with the end goal in mind.
For example:
Diet-Food shop twice a week, one large and one top up shop for essentials. Plan my list before I leave the house, do this on my phone so I can recycle the list. Build this habit, then look at how to improve my diet.
Exercise - walk more, take the stairs, build fitness, go for walks, then runs, then resistance training.
Health - visits to doctors, dentists and therapists booked in advance or reminders set to make appointments.
Stress management -and strategies for other things that impact negatively on my executive functioning.
And so forth for bills, budgeting, housekeeping.

Then I plan all these new habits in stages in a diary/calendar, but never too much at once.
It works albeit gradually, unless I cant focus or get distracted by something shiny

Maslow's hierarchy of needs

Agreed, but a plan starts with a goal, and personal priorities are subjective.

I took Zoloft, and I feel your pain about the brain fog.

Any chance to switch it up with something like Wellbutrin?

My depression is bad right now. SSRI's suck for all their side effects, and I can't go back to a MAOI. Wellbutrin was my last ditch choice. For whatever reason, I'm moving my ass to get stuff done.

My husband has horrible EF skills, and when his depression and anxiety are in full force, he's a door stop.

My ADHD friend has bad EF, but his is more "everything is boring", where my husband literally can't get over that energy hump to move.

My husband could do one thing well, then everything was a struggle. He worked for 28 years, and when he worked everything related to work got done. The rest of his life was a struggle. When he went to school, he did that one aspect well, and everything else slid.

My husband said having people "breathing down his ass with a whip" made him move. I can't parent him like a toddler, and I refuse to ride his ass to do stuff. So the home life stuff is suffering right now.

Is there one aspect of your life you can white knuckle through, until it becomes a routine? At least if one little part starts going well, you feel like you did something.

Also look at things made for ADHD executive function. There might be something useful you can tweeking for yourself.

If the depression and anxiety aren't under control, it is REALLY hard to motivate for anything.

I am the same way, in respect to needing some kind of regimen. All I am saying is that it's somewhat arbitrary. You can always make up rules about things.

For instance, in my grandmother's house, it was customary to wash dishes before going out of the house, for any reason.

At work and school, there were offers of pizza or donuts, based on performance, or events, which happened, every so often.

These are technically, false equivalencies; there is no law of nature involved. But, there was structure -- a sequence and a tempo.

You can create your own, pleasant customs or good habits.