Consultation

The importance of the Executive Function in Daily Interaction

Wesley Thurman MS Ed

1 June, 2022

Background

Over the past 3 to 4 decades there has been much discussion on the term executive function. The 1990s was declared by the U.S. congress as the decade of the brain (DOB) by House Representative Silvio Conte (R. Mass) under then President H.W. Bush, at the behest of leaders in the field of neuroscience ..wikipedia. With the inquiry came the discoveries on “neural plasticity, key periods or time frames in neural development and the critical importance of the frontal lobe region of the brain: which gave birth to the term executive function.

What is Executive Function

The term executive function in an umbrella phrase which precipitates’ cognitive (thinking or reasoning) control. This impacts memory, behavior, planning and decision making and perceived intelligence, as discussed in the works of the late Dr Mel Levine.

How viable is E.F. or cognitive control

Often, we hear the term executive function disorder when regarding children and adults with (ADD/ADHD), (TBI), memory (dementia, Alzheimer’s), impulse control and movement dysfunctions, or various frontal lobe diseases or anomaly’s. One may not necessarily possess any of the above-mentioned ailments or challenges to wrestle with the difficulties of cognitive control or executive function. I can possibly see it affecting the hoarder, the indecisive and those who abuse substances including food or compulsory behaviors that are related to what B.F. skinner refers to as the behavior of internal dialogue and what Mel Levine refers to as verbal mediation. The control of cognitive reasoning can contribute to anxiety and have a cascading effect on an individual’s daily quality of life.

Nonmedical aids/remedies

There are a host of nonmedical aids that can help those affected by the effects of executive function disorders. It is not exhaustive, and there are also medical and other therapeutic measures that one may engage for remedy. However, a list that, I have found useful in my personal and professional undertakings that may help ease the struggle because of the brain’s plasticity; it’s ability to build new neural pathways are as follows:

• Herbal teas: such as chamomile, peppermint, perhaps kava and sleepy time may reduce anxiety and stress to help focus.
• Writing list: writing a list at the beginning or end of a day or may help in short to planning and organization skills and assist in maintaining focus. The list may be made for several days or a longer term.
• Establishing routines: along with writing lists, establishing routines can prove to be invaluably cogent, in relaxing the individual and relieving daily activities of certain stress and anxieties of planning and decision making.
• Self-talk: An internal dialogue is a must for planning and decision making. It is especially useful with the unexpected and is helpful in areas of social interaction.
• Music: helps ease stress and stimulates brain activity
• Meditation
• Walks or communing with nature
• Limiting outside stimuli
• Mental word games: Mnemonics
• Diaries, journals
• Learning another language