Executive Functioning and ADHD

Understand executive functioning and ADHD through interactive choices and personal reflection. Identify challenges with planning, organisation, remembering, starting and following through. Choose practical adjustments, break demands into manageable steps and download a personalised support plan that respects your needs today.

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Executive Functioning and ADHD

PLANNING • ORGANISATION • SUPPORT

Executive Functioning and ADHD

Make everyday demands more manageable.

Executive functions are skills involved in managing attention, planning, remembering information, starting activities and pausing before acting. ADHD can affect these skills in different ways. Knowing what to do does not always make doing it straightforward.

Where would support help?

Choose an area to consider. These prompts are not an assessment.

Choose what fits your experience today.

Build one manageable plan

One helpful adjustment can be a starting point.

More than one brain area

Executive functions involve networks across the brain, including the prefrontal cortex. Research describes differences between groups, but it cannot tell us a particular person’s abilities or maturity from a diagnosis. ADHD is not a measure of intelligence or effort.

Sleep, stress, interest, health and environmental demands can affect what feels manageable. Clear written instructions, fewer competing demands and practical assistance may help. A strategy can need changing without the person having failed.

These ideas can complement individual care. If difficulties regularly affect daily life, discuss support with a GP or ADHD clinician. Support should reflect the person’s needs and preferences.

My executive function support plan

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Further information

NIMH: ADHD information

NHS: ADHD in adults

Space to Breathe Therapy