Understanding Executive Dysfunction in AuDHD
- Anri Louwrens
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
What is “Executive Function”?
Think of executive function as your brain’s manager.
It helps you:
Plan
Organise
Start things
Keep going
Manage time
Switch between tasks
Stay calm
Finish well
When this system doesn’t work smoothly, life can feel:
Messy
Rushed
Overwhelming
Hard to keep track of...
What Executive Dysfunction Looks Like in AuDHD
You might:
Want to do something — but just can’t start
Begin — but struggle to finish
Forget the order of steps
Lose track of time completely
Jump between too many things at once
Feel emotional when things don’t go as planned
Know what to do, but not how to do it
It’s not laziness. It’s not lack of willpower. It’s your brain needing a different kind of support!
Why It’s Harder with AuDHD
Autism and ADHD together can create:
Big imagination + strong focus on details
Lots of ideas, but not always a way to act on them
Sensory overload that makes planning difficult
An all-or-nothing energy pattern (super focus or zero focus)
That means your brain is powerful, but easily overloaded.
You might:
See the end goal clearly — but not the first step
Have great ideas — but lose track halfway through
Feel stuck, frustrated, or like you’re “failing”
The Davis Approach: A Different Way
The Davis Method helps people understand how their mind works —and gives tools to make life flow better.
We start from strengths, not weaknesses.
1. Filling the Gaps in “Life Concepts”
Many executive struggles come from missing core ideas, such as:
Time
Sequence
Order & Disorder
Before & After
Cause & Effect
If these ideas are unclear, daily life becomes confusing.We use creative, hands-on methods (like clay modelling)to make these invisible concepts visible and solid.
When you understand these ideas, executive function naturally improves.
2. Orientation Counselling
This is a key Davis tool.
It helps you:
Notice what’s happening in your mind and body
Learn to control focus and energy
Switch between “creative mode” and “focus mode”
It’s not about forcing attention — it’s about understanding and adjusting it.
3. Turning Chaos into Clarity
Executive dysfunction feels like juggling too many things.
We bring order by using:
Modelling tasks (seeing steps physically)
Visual timers
Simple, repeatable routines
Concept practice (linking actions to “why”)
Concrete tools make abstract tasks easier to handle.
4. Celebrating Strengths
We don’t try to “fix” your thinking. We help your natural gifts work with structure.
That means:
Creative ideas → organised outcomes
Visual thinking → clear sequences
Deep focus → flexible attention
When your brain’s strengths and supports align, life feels calmer and more manageable.
Try These This Week:
Small steps can make a big difference.
🧱 Clay Sequence – model “Before → During → After” of a daily task
⏰ Time Practice – guess how long 10 or 30 minutes is, then check
🔋 Energy Check-In – pause, breathe, notice how focused you feel
⚓ Anchor Step – mark one step you often skip with a sticky note
💬 Concept Talk – reflect on “What caused what?” or “What came first?”
These help your brain see and feel structure.
Why This Matters
When executive function improves:
✅ Tasks feel doable
✅ Confidence grows
✅ Less burnout and guilt
✅ More time for creativity
✅ You feel in control again
You start to see:
“My brain isn’t broken — it just needed a better manual.”
How Davis UK & Ireland Can Help
We work with individuals across the UK and Ireland and even Africa who experience executive dysfunction linked to autism, ADHD, or both.
Our licensed Davis Facilitators offer:
One-to-one programmes
Tools that build self-understanding
Lifelong skills for calm, focus, and confidence
Visit davismethod.co.uk to find a facilitator near you or book a chat.
📌Remember:
Executive dysfunction is not who you are. It’s something you can understand, reshape, and master— one concept, one moment, one solution at a time...with Davis!
More info at:
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