Executive function.....What is it?

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Could someone explain to me what the executive function is, and why autistics are poor at utilizing it. I have been trying to do some money matter things, as well as my taxes. The people helping me have tried to explain it, and I find it very difficult to understand certain things that they easily get. Partly it has to do with my general lack of interest in money matters, but maybe it has to do with this executive functionig defect. I don't know?

Executive Function= The concept is used by psychologists and neuroscientists to describe a loosely defined collection of brain processes which are responsible for planning, cognitive flexibility, abstract thinking, rule acquisition, initiating appropriate actions and inhibiting inappropriate actions, and selecting relevant sensory information.
--- That was from Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executive_functions

I thought it was what they called people who ran companies

it's the reason I go to the store 4-6 times in a week. It's also the reason I'm slowly going nuts.

I always understood executive function as "the impulse muscle" and read:
controls impulsive reactions & initiates impulsive ideas.

Which means that in new situations, someone with executive function issues will stick to their normal routine (or favourite topic), and forget or be unable to create new plans or new reactions to surprise (or non routine) events.

But I could be wrong.

It does, among other things.

Executive function helps you:
--Multi-task
--Concentrate on one thing rather than another (rather than involuntarily having your focus all over the place or on something you don't want it to be on)
--Switch from one activity to another
--Organize your environment and your thoughts
--Follow directions
--Do something in a systematic manner
--Inhibit impulsive actions
--Start and stop physical movement, speech, a task, etc.
--Effectively use your short-term memory (the "I'm in the kitchen and don't remember what I came here for" problem)
--Plan things while you're doing something, rather than having to plan every step ahead of time
--Not lose track in the middle of a multi-step process
--Keep your attention on a conversation while simultaneously thinking of what to say
--Remember to do things that should be done, like remembering to take out the trash or retrieve your meal from the oven
--Stop and think before making a decision; weigh all options rather than jumping to the first available response
--Act quickly enough when quick responses are necessary

You may see a common tie here with attention-deficit disorder, and yes, that's because ADHD is a form of executive dysfunction. ExD is also common--very common--in autism.

I want there to be a funk song called Executive Function, perhaps in the style of Rick James, or Prince. I feel it would be just exactly perfect. Go on, sing it. 'Executive Function' in falsetto.

mines busted! where can i get a new one?

I think there's multiple dimensions to what they call "executive function". I struggle with certain things that fall into the category of exacutive function, but not all.

I struggle a bit with verbal improvisation and quick recall of specific words, things, examples, anecdotes, etc. I've always had a problem with timed writing tests because of the latter. It drives me nuts. It also hurts me socially because I don't feel like I can perform like other people, i.e. I can't ever come up with the right clever sounding thing to say at precisely the right moment like others can. By the time I think of something it's usually too late to say it. The most frustrating thing is that I'm usually more intelligent than the people around me but I have nothing to show for it because I can't even get a word in when other people just bowl over me.

Thanks. These comments have helped me understand. I also am poor at multitasking, as well as other things mentioned associated with dysfunctional executive function.