In this second episode of the executive function series, Dr. Regan breaks down how speed, working memory, and sequencing impact daily life. I Love Lucy chocolate factory TV clip Executive Function Book Series by Dawson and Guare: Smart But Scattered (children's version) Smart But Scattered (Teen version) Smart But Scattered (adult version) Dr. Regan's Master Class for Clinicians (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec 2023) Zur Institute: Master Class Dr. Regan's Resources Book: Understanding Autism in Adults and Aging Adults, 2nd ed Audiobook Book: Understanding Autistic Behaviors Autism in the Adult website homepage Website Resources for Clinicians Read the transcript: 1 00:00:05,570 --> 00:00:06,059 Hello, 2 00:00:06,070 --> 00:00:06,820 everyone. 3 00:00:06,829 --> 00:00:08,659 This is Doctor Regan. 4 00:00:08,670 --> 00:00:13,670 I'm joining you for an episode of Autism in the adult podcast. 5 00:00:14,020 --> 00:00:14,880 For those of you. 6 00:00:14,890 --> 00:00:16,260 New to the podcast. 7 00:00:16,270 --> 00:00:18,020 I'm a neuropsychologist, 8 00:00:18,030 --> 00:00:20,190 a certified autism specialist, 9 00:00:20,420 --> 00:00:25,180 and the founder and director of an autism diagnostic clinic for adolescents, 10 00:00:25,190 --> 00:00:28,940 adults and aging adults in Central Illinois. 11 00:00:29,549 --> 00:00:35,240 And today you are listening to the second episode in a series on executive function. 12 00:00:35,750 --> 00:00:47,139 And this is a topic we're covering because many of the strengths and challenges that go along with the autistic neurology fall within the realm of executive function. 13 00:00:48,849 --> 00:00:51,619 Before we dive into that topic for today, 14 00:00:51,759 --> 00:00:58,540 I'd like to thank Amanda who pointed out that my diagnostic terms in the first episode were imprecise. 15 00:00:58,830 --> 00:01:03,279 I use terms that are common in my day to day interactions with patients, 16 00:01:03,290 --> 00:01:04,819 families and physicians, 17 00:01:05,080 --> 00:01:07,900 which are the terms ADD and ADHD. 18 00:01:08,089 --> 00:01:09,099 However, 19 00:01:09,110 --> 00:01:16,800 the most precise and current terminology is ADHD predominantly inattentive presentation. 20 00:01:17,379 --> 00:01:21,389 ADHD predominantly hyperactive - 21 00:01:21,470 --> 00:01:26,199 impulsive presentation, or ADHD combined presentation. 22 00:01:27,379 --> 00:01:29,589 And I guess in reviewing that in my mind, 23 00:01:29,599 --> 00:01:32,720 I think it's similar with the term dementia, 24 00:01:32,730 --> 00:01:37,550 which is often still used in day to day language in clinical settings, 25 00:01:37,559 --> 00:01:42,690 even though the most recent and precise term is major neurocognitive disorder. 26 00:01:43,360 --> 00:01:43,650 So, 27 00:01:43,660 --> 00:01:44,410 thanks Amanda, 28 00:01:44,419 --> 00:01:51,279 I'll stick to being precise and specific in podcasts about the topic of ADHD 29 00:01:51,839 --> 00:01:55,230 And instead of using each of the subtypes, 30 00:01:55,239 --> 00:02:07,379 I will just use the term ADHD unless I'm speaking about specific features of one subtype. As we discussed in the first episode, 31 00:02:07,389 --> 00:02:16,580 executive function is really a broad term and it's includes multiple subfunctions or subcategories. 32 00:02:17,179 --> 00:02:33,800 And this is a series that I really encourage you to listen to the first episode before listening to subsequent episodes because it really went through a lot of layers of explaining executive function, ADHD, and autism ... 33 00:02:34,350 --> 00:02:37,160 how those relate or don't relate to each other. 34 00:02:38,539 --> 00:02:43,720 So the subcategories of executive function include things like attention, 35 00:02:43,990 --> 00:02:45,919 goal directed persistence, 36 00:02:45,929 --> 00:02:47,949 organization, response 37 00:02:47,960 --> 00:02:50,020 inhibition and several more. 38 00:02:50,440 --> 00:02:50,990 In fact, 39 00:02:51,000 --> 00:02:53,229 depending on what source you're using, 40 00:02:53,240 --> 00:02:57,669 there can be about 12 or so sub functions identified, 41 00:02:57,679 --> 00:03:06,410 even though there's really no complete agreement on how to list out the sub functions within executive function. 42 00:03:08,110 --> 00:03:17,000 There are two main developmental diagnoses with large executive function components and these include ADHD and autism, 43 00:03:18,710 --> 00:03:23,160 the ADHD criteria, as we talked about in the previous episode, 44 00:03:23,339 --> 00:03:28,899 only describe symptoms falling within about four of the subcategories. 45 00:03:29,720 --> 00:03:35,460 I would label these subcategories in the ADHD as organization, 46 00:03:35,500 --> 00:03:41,690 attention, response inhibition, and goal directed persistence. For example, 47 00:03:41,699 --> 00:03:50,500 "fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes" is one of the criteria that can be met in ...
