Pathways Literacy Center

Executive function is so commonly misunderstood.

And I get why.

EF is an incredibly complex cognitive system

that doesn't function by itself.

It's not possible to *just* see executive function.

We're always analyzing and assessing the executive function system in the context of how it regulates another process.

For example, a child may present with reading challenges. The surface-level symptom is the reading difficulty,

but underneath, the EF system may be struggling to remember the sounds long enough to attach them to symbols/letters (verbal working memory need).

Or a child may present with a language development need. The surface-level symptom is the delay in vocabulary and communication development,

but underneath, the EF system may be struggling to perceive and orient the brain and body to the environment in order to take in environmental stimuli.

EF is always in the background conducting how learning takes place.

We often judge executive function by the visible output while missing the invisible cognitive processes underneath.

And when we misunderstand the process, we often misunderstand the child.

Which EF misunderstanding do you see the most?