Attention and Task Initiation

For those who are neurodivergent, executive functioning skills can become a challenge. For some this is due to a lack of practice and/or for others it is because of the brain developing at a different rate. The result can be frustration and discouragement not only for the person but for those around them too.

Just as every person who struggles in these areas are individuals, the area/s of challenge in executive functioning skills can vary. Some areas have a slight struggle while still others can face challenges that can feel crippling.

Attention

For those who are gifted, have ADHD, and/or other areas of neurodiversity, attention can be a challenge. There are many areas that this happens.

Struggling with attention can be dependent. Some areas there can be intense focus while other areas attention can be a struggle. This is such a frustration for many, because if the focus can exist for one area why not all areas? Even noticing this can be thrown into the face of a person.

One reason for this is that focusing on areas that a person likes can lead to the reward centers of the brain to come online. When this happens, motivation becomes much easier in completing a task. In fact, hyperfocusing can occur. Hyperfocusing is the intense focus on one or more areas to the tuning out of other things.

Still for others focusing on things needs a purpose. That purpose can provide a focus when the short term benefits are not seen. Without a purpose, attention can become difficult to obtain.

Task Initiation

While the attention to tasks is needed so is task initiation. Task initiation allows a person to begin a task so that the task can be completed. Imagine struggling to start a task, completing a task in the order that someone determines as the correct order. The focus becomes the beginning and not the completion.

For those who find this area challenging, the beginning can seem daunting. The brain might know a part of the project but just not the beginning yet. What would happen if the parts of the project that are known or discovered are covered rather than focusing on a prescribed sequence?

Conclusion

These are just two of the areas in executive functioning that exist. Each week discover more areas and why those areas can be challenging for those who are neurodivergent.

Do you or your loved one struggle in any of these areas? It is okay to seek out help if the struggles are interfering with your life. You are not alone.