"There Are 11 Executive Functioning Skills?!" Q&A Session for ADHD Adults on Executive Dysfuction

ADHD expert Sharon Saline answers ADDitude readers' questions about common executive function deficits - and other top concerns. This video was originally broadcast on 10/30/2020. To learn more about Dr. Sharon Saline, visit www.drsharonsaline.com

[@tombo54]

"Break it down...small steps. If you can't start, it's still too big." That's GOLD baby!!

[@johnroekoek9864]

Yes! I agree. Awesome It's an anwer on a question I had for decades, almost daily.

[@TR-kw9vx]

Thank you for those nice words

[@TIPPYtoeup]

I have ADHD, was born deaf in one of my ears and an adopted only child. I was recently diagnosed with ADHD because life has been hell. Because I look normal I’ve been expected to be normal. I went through trauma as a 10 year old but never told anyone until my mid 30’s. As far as treatment goes I am receiving adderall but it gives me an anxiety worse than my everyday anxiety. Which is actually more than words can describe. No friends, no carrier, no hobbies. And sitting here trying to absorb what is being said. On a pretty Saturday afternoon. Haven’t gone outside once. My Doctor or the hundred I’ve had never hear what I tell them. Again because I look fine. It’s hard Just expressing here. Wish the best for all of you and your families.

[@vonalaird1883]

This lady has the best suggestions. And the way she explains everything makes so much sense.

[@coda4150]

11:20 avoidance, perfectionism and prodicrtive procrastination

[@johnroekoek9864]

Tip: I hate timers. Once I set and start it, I remember I haven't eaten yet or other distractions. Or I totally forget the timer. But I found a solution. I found the Brili app, that shows flashcards with a task and multiple notification sounds for that task (half time, one minute left, finish, overdue). This keeps me on my very small task. I whipe away the card and the next tasks show. Totally adjustable.

[@Ikr2025]

I think there may be physical symptoms (eg fatigue, gut issues, inflammation) associated with ADHD that are not generally recognised as being part of the disorder. I think these physical symptoms could also be a factor in why we procrastinate, along with the simple deficit in dopamine and poorer executive functioning. I think many neurological conditions also have physical symptoms, after all the body and brain function as part of an entire system.

[@johannariddle9703]

I agree!

[@ModOtherStuff]

This is a guess that is supported by the evidence. There are a lot of physiological (and mental) conditions that can cause symptoms that mimic ADHD. Even if someone is correctly diagnosed as having ADHD, and medical treatment is effective, many people will enjoy significant improvement by improving diet, exercise, gut biome, social interaction and so on.

[@abmrose]

I was excited about and value the type of skills discussed in this video; but, naturally, found it hard to stay focused on it for 45 minutes. 11 minutes in and still not answering the first question was more than my little brain could take. I think that bite sized, single-topic, concentrated doses of information may be best suited for ADHD audiences 🙂

[@coda4150]

I agree. Or having timestamps at least would be good. though I find that listening to these big chunk discussions while multitasking on manual things like chores actually helps me focus better on both

[@eugenemcleod525]

Thank you so much for your explanation. I have a 54 year old daughter who is so so what you are describing. She thinks she is adhd but say she is facing it. It is years losses jobs. No friends. Family disagreement. How can I encourage her to get evaluate. She show high level anxiety at this moment she is saying give her aspirin because she is having a heart attack. I am mother feel I am not alive suffered so much cry every day for 30 yrs. Bless you for your information. How can I start to get her evaluated?

[@pageandink]

Comments sections shows the extreme sensitivity about this topic. My well wishes for all those affected. ❤

[@foodisgoodthatsthetruth3231]

Oof yeah, this seems good but I can't concentrate for this long (severe combined type ADHD, unmedicated as of yet) and have the same issue with university lectures. I could pause it, but realistically I won't come back to it *sweat drop*

[@jele77]

That dance was so cute and honest ❤ i will try to remember and imagine Sharon will dance for me, when i accomplished something

[@lindanorth4356]

I'm a bit surprised that neurofeedback has not been suggested in this program as a therapeutic intervention. Medication is NOT the only answer for supporting folk with ADHD. Neurofeedback is extremely successful for folk struggling with ADHD as well as many other mental health conditions. Neurofeedback also addresses anxiety, depression, and motivation challenges as it works with the basic timing factors of the brain, and regulatory function directly, through EEG activity. "In 2012, the American Academy of Pediatric, Level 1: "Best support" Intervention for ADD on par with medication". (Daniel Amen, author of Healing ADD).

[@patriciajump9511]

Don't like hearing "only information will help the other person." No, people are not all the same and thus not all going to react to information with understanding. There is emotion involved, too, and I would think each person needs to ideally be addressed with the right mix of input to get them to tolerate ADD in others.

[@tammybrantley6262]

When you started this video I would love to see what your saying on the screen so I can write it down please.

[@debrac1688]

ADHD and getting ready for Pesach 😱

[@patriciajump9511]

This video seems like it is a mix of advice for ADD adults plus parents of ADD kids. And some of the advice seems good for the "neuro-typical" person, not me. I don't like "neuro-typucal." It means I am not normal. Well, I have ADD, but I am neither abnormal or atypical.

[@patriciajump9511]

The idea of needing "scaffolding and support" makes me feel hopeless, helpless, useless, doomed to fail. Because "scaffolding and support" sounds like an arbitrary gift or assistance from outside my control, and I know better than to turn my ADD self and my ADD competence into something controlled by others, at their whim and/or at their ability to consistently do so. I don't like "Don't talk to yourself less than you would a third grader." This feels insulting, though of course I realize that is not the intention. I just don't like this video.