September is ADHD Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to shine a light on one of the most important yet often misunderstood areas connected to ADHD: executive functions. These are the brain’s self-management skills, the mental processes that allow us to plan, focus, organize, regulate emotions, and adapt to daily challenges.
When executive functions are working smoothly, they act like a personal manager, guiding us through schoolwork, home routines, social life, and even long-term goals. When these skills are delayed or disrupted, something very common in children and adults with ADHD, daily life can quickly become overwhelming. Simple tasks such as starting homework, remembering instructions, or keeping track of time may feel like major obstacles.
In this blog, we’ll explore:
By spreading awareness, we can replace misconceptions with empathy and provide children, families, and adults with the tools they need to thrive.
Executive functions are a set of mental skills located in the brain’s frontal lobe. They include abilities such as working memory, planning, task initiation, emotional control, and flexible thinking. In simple terms, they help us manage ourselves and our responsibilities.
Think of them as the CEO of the brain: directing focus, controlling impulses, and guiding problem-solving.
Strong executive function skills influence nearly every part of a child’s daily life:
When these skills are delayed, children may appear forgetful, unmotivated, or even defiant. In reality, they are struggling with executive functioning, not willpower.
Children with ADHD often experience delays in executive function development, sometimes by two to three years. For example, a 10-year-old with ADHD may show executive skills more typical of a 7- or 8-year-old. This explains why everyday expectations such as completing homework or organizing school supplies can feel so overwhelming.
These challenges are linked to neurological differences in the brain’s dopamine and norepinephrine systems, especially in the prefrontal cortex, the hub of executive control.
Parents may notice challenges such as:
Here are strategies that can help strengthen executive functions at home:
Executive function struggles are not limited to children. Many adults with ADHD remain undiagnosed, only recognizing symptoms later in life. These may include chronic disorganization, time blindness, emotional overwhelm, or difficulty with planning and long-term goals.
With proper diagnosis and tailored strategies—such as therapy, structured routines, and external supports—adults with ADHD can learn to manage these challenges effectively and improve quality of life.
ADHD is not simply about inattention. It is deeply connected to how executive functions develop and operate. By understanding and supporting these skills, we can help children and adults with ADHD lead more confident, successful lives.
This ADHD Awareness Month, take time to observe your child’s routines, celebrate their strengths, and put small systems in place to support their growth. Awareness is the first step toward meaningful change.
👉 At Talking Brains Center, our psychomotor therapists in Dubai provide therapy and support in English, Arabic, and French, helping both children and adults strengthen executive functions and manage ADHD effectively.