Many autistic children have challenges with what are called executive function skills. Executive functioning refers to a set of brain functions for managing your daily living including working memory, organizational skills, flexible thinking and self control.

Some children's executive function challenges may be diagnosed as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), which involves difficulties in maintaining appropriate focus to the right things (such as school activities), processing information, impulsiveness and/or needing constant motion. For more details on executive functioning, see this article from Understood.

You can include goals for executive functioning in their Individualized Education Program (IEP) and with therapists. Discuss with the school and your child’s therapists strategies to help your child with their executive functioning issues. For example if they have a hard time focusing at home on their assignments and studying, or if once they’ve completed their homework they don’t turn in all their assignments to the right teacher in the right place. The resources below will help you with ideas and learning more.

Additional Resources

Executive Function Skills by CHADD, the nonprofit Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD)

Executive Function & Self-Regulation from the Harvard University Center on the Developing Child

What Is Executive Function? By the website Understood

Executive Functions section of the Child Mind Institute's website

Executive Functions, Annual Review of Psychology, U.S. National Library of Medicine