If your child’s behavior feels out of control and you’re constantly repeating yourself, it might not just be ADHD. This could be executive function disorder.
Does your child struggle to follow directions, finish homework, or manage big emotions? You’re not alone.
Many parents feel confused when professionals talk about ADHD and executive function disorder as if they’re the same thing. They overlap, but they aren’t identical. Understanding the difference can help you decode your child’s struggles and find the right path forward.
In this blog, we’ll explore what executive function disorder really is. How does it differ from ADHD? Why more kids today are struggling, and most importantly, what you can do to help.
What is Executive Function Disorder?
Executive functions are the brain’s “management system”. It’s the mental skills that help us plan, organize, remember, and control impulses. Kids with executive function disorder struggle with these skills, making everyday tasks overwhelming.
Some examples of executive functions include:
- Planning and organization: Breaking down homework into steps.
- Working memory: Remembering multi-step directions.
- Impulse control: Thinking before acting.
- Self-monitoring: Checking work for mistakes.
- Flexibility: Adjusting when plans change.
Parent example:
Phoeme is a mom of a 10-year-old with anxiety. She shared that her son could memorize every Pokémon card but couldn’t remember to bring his homework back to school. That’s executive function disorder in action.
How is Executive Function Disorder Different From ADHD?
This is where confusion often happens. ADHD is a clinical diagnosis that involves difficulties with inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
Executive function disorder isn’t a formal diagnosis. It’s a set of skill weaknesses that often show up in kids with ADHD, anxiety, learning disabilities, or mood disorders.
Think of it this way:
- ADHD = a medical condition that starts in childhood, affecting attention and impulse control.
- Executive Function Disorder = skill deficits that may appear with or without ADHD.
Key takeaway:
Every child with ADHD has executive functioning difficulties. But not every child with executive function disorder has ADHD.
What Do Strong Executive Functioning Skills Look Like in Kids?
Children with solid executive functioning skills can:
- Stay on task without constant reminders.
- Break down big projects into smaller steps.
- Notice when they’re off track and self-correct.
- Use their environment (like checklists or planners) effectively.
- Shift gears when something unexpected happens.
Parent example:
Sandra is a mom of a 13-year-old with ADHD. She noticed that her daughter could hyperfocus on art projects but would melt down when asked to clean her room. The missing link wasn’t motivation. It was executive functioning skills like planning and sequencing.
| Strong EF Skills | EF Disorder Struggles |
|---|---|
| Starts tasks independently | Needs repeated reminders to start |
| Breaks projects into steps | Feels overwhelmed by big tasks |
| Follows multi-step directions | Forgets steps or misses details |
| Self-monitors and corrects mistakes | Doesn’t notice errors until it's too late |
| Adapts when plans change | Melts down or resists transitions |
| Stays organized with materials | Frequently loses items (backpack, homework, shoes) |
| Manages time effectively | Chronically late or misses deadlines |
| Uses strategies (checklists, notes) | Ignores or forgets the tools provided |
Why Are So Many Kids Struggling With Attention and Executive Functioning Today?
Parents often ask me, “Why does it feel like every child today has attention or executive function issues?”
Several modern factors play a role:
- Too much screen time and not enough movement
- Decreased imaginative play (kids don’t get as many chances to problem-solve on their own)
- Over-scheduled lives that limit downtime for creative thinking
- Bubble-wrap parenting that reduces autonomy and decision-making opportunities
According to Danielson et al. (2018), the prevalence of ADHD in U.S. children rose from 6.1% to 10.2% between 1997 and 2016, and executive function concerns have risen alongside it.
What Causes Executive Function Challenges in Children?
While the environment matters, brain science plays a big role. Research shows that executive function is tied to the prefrontal cortex. It matures slowly and can be disrupted by stress, trauma, or dysregulation (Barkley, 2012).
Common contributing factors include:
- Neurodevelopmental conditions (ADHD, ASD, learning disabilities)
- Anxiety and mood disorders
- Chronic stress or trauma
- Poor sleep, diet, or exercise
- Nervous system dysregulation (the brain stuck in “fight, flight, or freeze”)
Parent example:
Mark, dad of a teen with PANS, noticed that his daughter’s ability to plan completely collapsed during flare-ups. Once her nervous system calmed, her executive skills improved.
How Can Parents Support a Child With Executive Function Disorder?
“Executive functions are the foundation of goal-directed behavior. Without them, even intelligent children can appear lazy or unmotivated.” – Russell Barkley, Ph.D. (2012)
Here’s the good news: Executive function skills can be taught and strengthened. It starts with calming the brain first, because a dysregulated nervous system can’t learn new strategies.
Practical Strategies for Parents
- Regulate first: Use calming tools like deep breathing, movement, or sensory input.
- Model co-regulation: Stay calm yourself to help your child regulate.
- Break down tasks: Use checklists, timers, or visual schedules.
- Practice working memory: Play games like “Simon Says” or memory card games.
- Use routines: Keep daily habits predictable.
Want practical tools to build your child’s executive functioning skills? Get my Executive Functioning Parent Toolkit and get your kid to listen and finish tasks in 30 days. No nagging, no fighting.
Finding Hope: Your Child Can Build Stronger Executive Skills
Executive function disorder can feel overwhelming, but it’s not a life sentence. By understanding the difference between ADHD and executive function disorder, you can focus on what truly helps. Calm the brain, teach skills, and build confidence.
You’re not failing. Your child isn’t lazy. Behavior is communication, and when we regulate first, everything else becomes possible.
FAQs About Executive Function Disorder
Does every child with ADHD have executive functioning issues?
Yes. Executive functioning challenges are part of ADHD, but not every child with executive function disorder has ADHD.
Can kids outgrow executive function disorder?
Skills improve with maturity and practice, but support is often needed to strengthen them.
How do schools help kids with EF challenges?
Accommodations may include extended time, visual schedules, checklists, or reduced distractions.
Is medication enough to fix executive function issues?
Medication may help attention, but without skill-building and nervous system regulation, EF challenges persist.
Citations
Diamond, A. (2013). Executive functions. Annual Review of Psychology, 64(1), 135–168. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-113011-143750
Danielson, M. L., Bitsko, R. H., Ghandour, R. M., Holbrook, J. R., Kogan, M. D., & Blumberg, S. J. (2018). Prevalence of parent-reported ADHD diagnosis and associated treatment among U.S. children and adolescents, 2016. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 47(2), 199–212. https://doi.org/10.1080/15374416.2017.1417860
Willcutt, E. G., Doyle, A. E., Nigg, J. T., Faraone, S. V., & Pennington, B. F. (2005). Validity of the executive function theory of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A meta-analytic review. Biological Psychiatry, 57(11), 1336–1346. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2005.02.006
Always remember… “Calm Brain, Happy Family™”
Disclaimer: This article is not intended to give health advice, and it is recommended to consult with a physician before beginning any new wellness regimen. The effectiveness of diagnosis and treatment varies by patient and condition. Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, LLC, does not guarantee specific results.
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