Executive function (EF) undergoes significant development during childhood and adolescence. It encompasses the capacity to focus attention, absorb, retain, and manipulate information, manage sensory input, maintain task engagement while regulating distractions and emotions, multitask, and adapt behavior according to environmental changes.

 

Challenges with executive function can show in various areas such as academics, career, personal relationships, finances, and self-esteem. Conditions like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), dementia, and dyslexia commonly feature deficits in executive function.​

 

ADHD and ASD, in particular, are prone to misdiagnosis or overdiagnosis due to their complexity. Its prevalence rates in adults and children are 2.5-3% and 5% (ADHD) and

only 1% in both children and adults (ASD), respectively, according to DSM-5.

ADHD and ASD symptoms are diverse and may overlap with many other clinical and behavioral conditions, making differential diagnosis challenging and comorbidity common.

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Diagnosing ADHD or ASD solely based on symptoms or self-report scales, or self-diagnosis is strongly discouraged. An accurate diagnostic process involves comprehensive understanding of an individual's neurodevelopmental history and current presentation, the evaluation of IQ profile, executive function data, and a variety of clinical and neurocognitive tests. These assessments are conducted, analyzed, and interpreted by a psychologist with a specialty in testing.

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​So, stay off of Google and TikTok and contact Dr. Joo for your evaluation!