Neurodiversity Tip Tuesday: Understanding Executive Functioning

If you’ve ever forgotten where you put your keys, struggled to start a task, or felt overwhelmed by planning your week — you’ve experienced challenges with executive functioning.

For neurodivergent individuals, especially those with ADHD or autism, executive functioning differences can make daily life feel like juggling puzzle pieces that don’t quite fit. These skills aren’t about intelligence or effort — they’re about how the brain organizes, prioritizes, and follows through.

What Is Executive Functioning?

Executive functioning refers to a group of mental skills that help us manage time, attention, and actions to reach our goals. Think of it as the brain’s “command center.”

Common executive functions include:🧩 Working Memory – remembering and using information while doing something (like following multi-step directions).🧩 Task Initiation – getting started, even when the task feels overwhelming.🧩 Planning & Organization – breaking things into steps and keeping track of details.🧩 Impulse Control & Emotional Regulation – pausing before reacting and managing strong feelings.

⏰ What About “Time Blindness”?

Time blindness is another executive functioning challenge that makes it difficult to feel the passage of time. Someone might underestimate how long a task will take, lose track of time while focused, or struggle to plan when to start something.

It’s not carelessness — it’s a difference in how the brain experiences time. Tools like timers, visual schedules, and alarms can help make time more tangible and predictable.

What It Can Look Like

For some neurodivergent people, executive functioning differences might look like:

• Difficulty starting or finishing projects.

• Forgetting daily tasks or appointments.

• Struggling to organize spaces or schedules.

• Feeling paralyzed by decisions or “too many steps.”

These aren’t signs of laziness or disinterest — they’re signs that the brain’s wiring works differently.

Helpful Supports

Here are a few simple ways to make life a bit easier:

💙 Use visual reminders (sticky notes, checklists, or phone alerts).

💙 Break tasks into smaller, concrete steps.

💙 Set timers for focused bursts (like the Pomodoro method — 25 minutes on, 5 minutes off).

💙 Create routines that take the guesswork out of daily life.

💙 Celebrate small wins — progress counts more than perfection.

Why It Matters

Understanding executive functioning helps us offer grace — both to ourselves and to others. With the right supports, patience, and structure, neurodivergent individuals can thrive in ways that honor their strengths.

💙 At Where the Pieces Meet, we believe inclusion means meeting people where they are — and cheering them on as they grow, one piece at a time.