Executive Dysfunction

Executive dysfunction is when your brain struggles to organise, start, or follow through on tasks — even ones you want or need to do.

It’s a common experience in ADHD and autism, but it can show up in many different ways. It’s not about being lazy, disorganised, or unmotivated. It’s about the brain having difficulty managing certain mental processes that link intention with action.

This might look like:

• Knowing you need to do something but not being able to start
• Struggling to switch tasks or let go of a current focus
• Getting overwhelmed by multi-step instructions or open-ended tasks
• Forgetting important things despite trying hard not to
• Feeling paralysed by choices or uncertainty

Executive function includes things like planning, time management, memory, emotional control, and flexible thinking. When these processes aren’t working smoothly, even simple tasks can feel like climbing a hill in flip-flops.

Executive dysfunction isn’t always visible — from the outside, it might just look like procrastination or avoidance. But for the person experiencing it, it can be incredibly frustrating and confusing.

Supportive tools, structured environments, and compassionate understanding can help reduce the strain — but it starts with recognising that this is a very real and valid experience.