Definition: Executive function is a part of a child's cognitive skills, and involves the ability to visualize multiple steps, to plan and to follow through on projects or multi-step activities or functions. In typical children, executive function develops alongside other cognitive skills, and is usually pretty much fully developed by late adolescece. Many children with disabilities lack executive function or have poor executive function skills. These children benefit from organization and visual supports to help them complete higher level and multi-step activities, such as school projects, long research papers, or even recording, completing and turning in homework. It is not uncommon for children with poor executive function to forget to turn in homework they have completed under the supervision of a parent.
Also Known As: organizational skills, executive skills
Examples:
Because Roger has poor executive function, his teachers check to see that he has written the day's assignments in his daily agenda.
