Executive functioning in autistic children
Before you read
In this article, we share general information about some areas of development and the differences that might be seen in autistic children.
Every child with autism is unique and different. While they may share some similar traits, it’s important to know that each child will have their own learning styles, interests and preferences.
This information is designed to help you understand and support your autistic child. Always speak to their therapist/s before introducing any new strategies in the home.
Some of the strategies might be helpful for children without autism or without a diagnosis. We recommend speaking with your child’s early learning centre, your GP and/or your family network for more support.
What is executive functioning?
Executive functioning refers to a set of skills that allow us to manage day-to-day tasks. It includes the following:
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Attention — focusing on something without being distracted by other things.
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Flexible thinking — changing behaviours or ways of thinking in different contexts.
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Working memory — remembering information in the short term and using it to complete a task.
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Self-control and inhibition — controlling impulsive behaviours and resisting distractions.
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Initiation — starting a task and coming up with ideas independently.
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Emotional regulation — managing emotions, controlling and directing behaviours.
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Planning and organising — making a plan and arranging tasks in a particular way.
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Time management — prioritising, accurately estimating how much time is available, and allocating time to complete tasks.
Why is executive functioning important?
Our executive functions are like the traffic controllers of our brain, responsible for prioritising, organising, planning and controlling the information that the brain processes. Executive functions are important for learning and development, enable positive behaviours and help us make healthy choices.
What are some signs of difficulties with executive functioning?
Many children with autism struggle in this area. If your child is experiencing difficulties with executive functioning, you might notice the following signs and behaviours:
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Difficulty planning and organising tasks.
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Being forgetful — having difficulty remembering details, tasks, or instructions, losing or misplacing things.
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Procrastinating and avoiding particular tasks.
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Having difficulty managing emotions, leading to emotional outbursts or meltdowns.
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Being impulsive.
What can families do to help?
If your child is showing some of these signs, it could be helpful to:
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Reduce distractions in the environment — minimise clutter and reduce background noises.
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Introduce movement breaks before transitioning to the next activity.
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Set structures and routines.
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Break a task down into smaller steps for them.
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Use visual aids like a daily schedule or timer.
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Think out loud — model planning and organising skills by outlining the steps involved.
Summary
- Executive functioning is essential for managing daily tasks – it includes skills like attention, flexible thinking, working memory, emotional regulation, planning, and time management.
- Difficulties with executive functioning can impact behaviour and learning – signs may include forgetfulness, trouble planning and organising, procrastination, emotional outbursts, and impulsivity.
- Children with autism may experience challenges in this area – struggles with executive functioning can affect their ability to complete tasks, manage emotions, and adapt to changes.
- Families can support executive functioning development – strategies like reducing distractions, introducing movement breaks, setting routines, breaking tasks into steps, and using visual aids can help.
