What is Executive Function?

• Broadly defined as frontal lobe deficit


• Impairs the ability to prepare for and execute multiple/sequential tasks


• Presents as "thought disorder" or information processing deficit


• Affects mental flexibility


• Often initially diagnosed as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)

Executive Function and Asperger Syndrome Organizational Challenges:

• Multi-tasking
• Planning and predicting
• Shifting focus
• Prioritizing
• Handling and organization of materials
• Physical and environmental hygiene
• Discarding unnecessary items
• Determining relevance in thought/action/objects

Executive Function and Asperger Syndrome:
Information Processing Deficits

• Inflexible adherence to literal language
• Difficulty following/generalizing instructions
• Confused by sequence and chronology
• Lapses in word finding and thought continuity
• Finding relevance in the perspective of others
• Difficulty explaining own behavior
• Directionally challenged