Guidebehaviour

Choose goals and

achieve them

There are two main areas forexecutive functioning skills:

Response inhibition: This is aboutstopping ourselves from doing somethingso that we can think through what weshould do next.Emotional control: This is aboutmanaging emotions so that we can finisha task. Attention: This involves being able topay attention to a task we need to do,even if we're bored or tired. Task initiation: Being able to start a jobwhen needed. Flexibility: Being able to change plans.Persistence: This is about being able tokeep going to finish a job and re-visitingthe job if necessary.

Planning: This includes decidingon what's important (and notimportant)and then making a plan to geta task done. It includes the ability tosequence sections of the tasks in order,to best achieve the overall taskOrganisation: This is about staying ontask and the preparation of what isneeded to undertake the task. Forexample; collecting equipment at the endof a lesson in preparation for a transitionto another lesson. Time management: Thisinvolves understanding howimportant time is and how to get jobsdone on time. Working memory: This is being able toremember information while working onother tasks.Thinking about our own thinking:Thisincludes checking on how things aregoing for ourselves.

Executive functions are skills performed by our brain thathelp us to control and manage our thoughts and actions.Having the skills to organise and plan, shift attention, beflexible with thinking and self-regulate can all have animpact on how a young person copes with daily tasks.Some individuals on the autism spectrum may havedifficulties with some or all areas of executive functioning.

Executive Functioning

The Positive Partnerships initiative is funded by the Australian Government Department of Education, Skills andEmployment through the Helping Children with Autism Package and is delivered by Autism Spectrum Australia.The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Government or theAustralian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment.

www.positivepartnerships.com.au