EF Conversation #003 - What is Executive Function?

I could write a thesis on this conversation alone!

I see people on social media every day talking about executive dysfunction and describing EF as planning, organisation, attention, task initiation etc. Respectfully, I disagree.

I understand EF through three core components — working memory, inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility — which interact in different combinations as we undertake tasks across almost every area of our lives. Not just learning.

Planning, organisation, attention and task initiation are what I refer to as associated skills. Each draws on one or more of those three core components.

Over future conversations, we'll unpack how those core components sit underneath the skills we talk about so often — and how they combine in the everyday tasks we ask young people to do.

In the meantime... what did you think executive function was?
(See the comments for some of the ways I've heard it described!)

365 Conversations about Executive Function
One conversation every day, exploring executive function, learning, inclusion and the hidden demands that shape what we're able to do.