How ADHD Impacts Planning, Memory and Setting Goals

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is often associated with difficulties in attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. One of the most significant aspects of ADHD is its impact on executive functioning skills — the mental processes that help individuals plan, tell time, remember details, and complete tasks. 


What Are Executive Functioning Skills? 

Executive functioning refers to a set of cognitive abilities that allow us to manage our thoughts, actions, and emotions to achieve goals. These skills include: 


  • Planning and prioritizing 
  • Time management 
  • Task initiation and follow-through 
  • Working memory 
  • Emotional regulation 
  • Impulse control 
  • Organization 


When executive functioning is impaired, even simple daily activities can become challenging. 


How ADHD Affects Executive Functioning 

Individuals with ADHD often experience consistent struggles in the following areas: 


1. Working Memory Challenges. Working memory allows a person to hold and manipulate information in their mind for short periods. ADHD can impair this ability, leading to: 

  • Forgetting instructions shortly after hearing them 
  • Losing track of what one is doing mid-task 
  • Difficulty following multi-step processes 


2. Time Management Difficulties. Many people with ADHD struggle with “time blindness,” where the perception of time is inconsistent or inaccurate. This can result in: 

  • Chronic procrastination 
  • Underestimating how long tasks will take 
  • Trouble meeting deadlines 
  • Frequently being late 


3. Problems with Task Initiation. Getting started on tasks — especially those perceived as boring, difficult, or unclear — can be a major obstacle. This might look like: 

  • Delaying important responsibilities 
  • Feeling mentally "stuck" even when the task is understood 
  • Needing external pressure (like a deadline) to begin working 


4. Disorganization and Difficulty Planning. Organizing materials, thoughts, and schedules can be particularly challenging. This often results in: 

  • Frequently misplacing items 
  • Difficulty maintaining a calendar or routine 
  • Trouble breaking large tasks into manageable steps 


5. Impulse Control and Emotional Regulation 

Executive functioning also plays a role in how we regulate our behavior and emotions. ADHD may lead to: 

  • Interrupting conversations or speaking out of turn 
  • Emotional outbursts or difficulty calming down 
  • Reacting without thinking through consequences 


Supporting Executive Functioning in ADHD 

Managing executive dysfunction related to ADHD involves understanding these challenges and implementing targeted strategies, such as: 



  • Using visual schedules, checklists, and reminders 
  • Breaking tasks into smaller, more manageable parts 
  • Creating structured routines 
  • Practicing mindfulness and emotional awareness techniques 
  • Seeking professional support through therapy, coaching, or medication 


Executive functioning challenges are a core feature of ADHD and can significantly affect daily life, work, and relationships. These difficulties are not due to a lack of effort or motivation, but rather the way the ADHD brain processes information and tasks. 


With the right tools, strategies, and support, individuals with ADHD can strengthen their executive functioning skills and improve overall functioning and well-being. The mental health professionals at Athans and Associates are trained to understand and treat children and adults struggling with ADHD. Reach out today if you’re interested in scheduling a session

 

 

About the Author  

Courtney Griffin is a Licensed Professional Counselor at Athans & Associates. She works with children and adults, and has a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from DePaul University. 

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