Executive Function.

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What is executive function and how do my severe Asperger's and schizophrenia affect it?

Executive function is the very human ability to inhibit instinctual responses in order to plan, carry out, assess, and adjust actions in order to achieve a goal. Both disorders can cause executive dysfunction, where executive function is disrupted:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executive_ ... opulations

Asperger's can cause problems with fluency--the ability to generate novel responses or number of responses in a category,--planning, and flexibility. In schizophrenia, it seems memory can be affected, in addition to what is affected in Asperger's.

Thanks.

My psychiatrist said that I'm a rarer case of schizophrenia as my high IQ remains high despite numerous relapses.

I think the high IQ should protect you from most cognitive deficits.

Really, now?

I don't think high IQ is very protective in general. In my own experience, I find that what it gets me is an overestimation of my abilities.

I'm sorry. I meant, You'll still have deficits, but they won't be as severe as typical.

What is "typical?" And how does IQ make these deficits less severe?

I seem to have both a high IQ and relatively severe deficits. Not the most severe, but severe enough to cause significant problems with daily living.

I have strong abilities but horrible executive dysfunction problems. The executive dysfunction is incredibly debilitating... what's worse is that when you are intelligent and have it, you have all these great ideas but can't fully execute them.. it's like Bill Murray in Groundhog Day.

I wonder, is Executive Dysfuntion in any way related to lack of (consistent) motivation?

Executive dysfunction includes having difficulties with motivation.

I'm interested in this as it can affect me.

Verdandi, can you elaborate on what you think the cause and/or 'cure' of the lack of motivation may be?

Executive functions are cognitive abilities that regulate the use of other cognitive abilities.

Examples include inhibition (usually impaired in hyperactive or combined-type ADHD), organization, planning, motivation and initiation.

With regards to motivation specifically, there are two kinds of motivation:

internal motivation - this is wanting to do something because it's intrinsically appealing to you. This is not related to executive functions. (If you have issues with internal motivation, it's more likely to be due to mood problems such as depression.)

external motivation - this is doing something you don't really want to do, because it gives you some sort of material benefit. An example would be working to the best of your ability even though you hate your job, because you need the money. This type of motivation is an executive function. (Incidentally, this is one of my biggest areas of impairment. Which is why I'm pretty desperate to get a job relating to an intense interest of mine, because otherwise I'll most likely be unemployable.)

If I had the answer to that, I would be much better off. Sorry.

I too have this problem, and I think it is underestimated in the ASD population. For me the executive function issues are as bad as, if not worse, than my social ones.
I have a 1 in 1000 IQ and go to the most prestigious girls' high school on the island, but I am failing math and getting bad grades in my other subjects (excluding English and biology... I am among the very best when it comes to certain subjects and others, the worst.)
However aptitude tests have concluded that math is supposed to be my best subject along with science. Why the heck would I be failing math???
I have ambitions, I have the ability to get motivated, but my time management is terrible. I cannot concentrate for long on things not related to my special interests, and when I make a plan, I discard it or go completely off track in a matter of days.
It has gone to the point that it's debilitating.
Verdandi is right. I would be better off if I knew how to solve this problem. Social deficits I can fake my way out, but this problem I cannot solve.

I have difficulty figuring out the order in which I ought to do things, especially if multitasking is required. I was told this is an executive function issue. For example, if I am unloading the dishwasher, I must do it in a certain order, or else I will end up with several cabinets open, dishes on the counter, and clean and dirty mixed together as I search for a fresh dish towel.

It seems this is much worse for tasks I do not enjoy. I never forget, for instance, how to check out books at the library or bake cookies , but I often forget a component of my daughter's bedtime routine since it's not a solid routine. Why, just this evening, I forgot to help her brush her teeth. Last night I forgot the bedtime story. The night before that, I left my iPhone in her room.

Then again, even if I really like something, there is a point where I am juggling too many balls, as they, say, and drop one. When I was a bartender, I would literally drop things if I was over-multitasked.

I am able to do things that I hate doing.