Awareness as an Executive Function in ADHD Management

Most people come to coaching thinking they need to stop procrastinating, as a typical example, but are less likely to come asking to improve their awareness. Bringing awareness into the category of skills for ADHD management is the value of ADHD coaching for adults.

To support this point of view, I want to share this recent (March 31, 2023) ADDitude FaceBook Live presentation by Dr. Sharon Saline on improving working memory. Dr. Saline explains the difference between “hot” and “cool” executive functions; she categorizes working memory as a “cool” executive function, meaning it is one of the less-conscious executive functions.

Dr. Saline’s distinction between the types of executive functions helps us understand why building self-management skills takes time.

“Hot” executive functions are things we consciously do, like planning. They respond well to direct instruction of how to do them. I think of these as “skills.”

“Cool” functions are less conscious, like having focus and paying attention. Since they happen below conscious control, they are less responsive to direct instruction. It takes time for awareness to come up to the conscious mind. The “cool” executive functions also developmentally occur later in life.

While awareness is necessary to be able to make use of skills, the two abilities will not be likely to develop at the same pace.

When awareness is present, Dr. Saline points out techniques that can be used for building working memory skills. Working memory (the ability to hold information in your mind in order to use it to do something) is highly correlated with emotional regulation - so that adding personal significance tends to improve memory. Others include repetition, routine (a set of actions), pairing, and speaking out loud more than once.

Without awareness, information is missing about how and when to apply skills. That’s why awareness coaching is an important part of the skill-building process for ADHD.

https://www.facebook.com/295157883845/videos/585715903498949

ADHD Life Support is the blog of ADHD coach Susan McGinnis
of ADHD Impact Coaching, LLC
www.adhdimpactcoaching.com