Executive Functioning

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So I have Autism and ADHD (which is weird to me since I read on the web you couldn't be dual diagnosed for those conditions before DSM-V, although I was diagnosed with aspergers and ADHD as a kid.

Anyways, I've been having trouble with executive functioning, to give examples, I have trouble following a task to its logical end (without prior instruction) Like if I pour myself some milk, I close the milk bottle, but it takes a while before I think of putting it back in the refrigerator (It's usually not milk but other food items, I just usually forget things have to go back in the fridge). Or I take a treat from a treat bag to feed it to a dog, but I forget to close the treat bag, or after cooking I forget to wash the pans, or when I finish drinking something I forget to throw the can in the recycle bin.

I suppose forget is not the right word, most of the time, the thoughts simply do not occur to me or it takes quite a while to occur to me.

Long story short, I suppose I'm asking if anyone has any advice on overcoming executive functioning problems.

I'm exactly the same as you with e.f. challenges. I'm clinically diagnosed moderate ASD but I wasn't screened for ADHD. I'm going for ADHD testing in February so (assuming I'm given a diagnosis) I will let you know what I learn. For the meantime I've been taking an atypical SSRI which helps with brain fog and e.f. I do find a little bit of relief but it obviously can't overcome the challenges inherent to my autism.

I often take vyvanse, it doesn't really help too much on my ability to plan, but it does aid focus. Problem is I lose appetite and cannot eat, eating is one of the few things I love in life, so I don't like to take my medicine.

I haven't personally seen my diagnosis, but I think I'm ASD level 1. I think since I was previously Aspergers. I think I also have Major Social Anxiety Disorder, based on some online diagnostic tests, but I cannot make a conclusion without an official diagnosis.

I hope your diagnosis goes smoothly.

Thank you. It's a long process over four days. I'll let you know if they have any helpful recommendations afterward.

Thanks and good luck.

This article's tips (towards end) resonate as helpful for me: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog ... e-function

Thanks for the article, SharonB.

For routine, everyday tasks, like pouring milk, you could put up sign in your house

If it's unusual, improvisation

I clicked that and thought "oh thats interesting", bookmarked it and shut it down..

Teasing (and curious): Your action exemplifies or indicates what?

Like it suggests, I am using one tip from it. The one I like is making a rule to complete something. I am so tired of lists and so tired of calendar reminders for simple things. When my work routine changed I stopped brushing my teeth. So yesterday I made a rule: when I change my shirt in the morning (e.g. pj to blouse), I will brush my teeth. Day 1: fail --- I didn't change out of my pj shirt. Day 2: time will tell. If it doesn't work today, I may need a different rule. Maybe when I put on my shoes (I did go outside yesterday; had a coat over my pj top), but usually I am in a rush then... I don't want to get to crazy and overwhelm myself, but if I find a good "hook" for the rule, maybe I could add "make the bed" and it would be easy. One can dream...

I thought it might indicate executive dysfunction but perhaps its more short attention span

I know i had lots of rules when chefing in pub. Always doing things in the same rigid order otherwise thing would go south mentally. eg Chips first, then burger, then buns etc Always keeping things in the same place. Always checking microwave even if not using it as so easy to leave things in there.

I find that cooking helps. While I am waiting for something to cook I can check my calendar to see if anything needs to be done.

I have the same problem with not following through.

Like I will have a bottle of soda pop that I only drink half of, and then instead of putting the cap back on and putting it in my mini-fridge, I leave it sitting there on my desk. Then I get angry hours later when I want the rest of it and it is warm and flat.

I have autism and adhd.

Not quite sure what executive function is but I think I get it.

Here is an example. This morning I found out I had a doctors appointment. My Mum had phoned for me. Now the appointment was in about an hour and a halfs time from when I woke up. I had to try to automatically function to get the tasks done as I started to partly shutdown. I actually shutdown for a few seconds while sitting on the toilet, but most of the time I was partly shut down.
While partly shut down I was doing odd things. I would be standing on top of the stairs unable to think how to walk down them. I just could not think what to do... Mindblank for the odd moment... Then it came to me to hold on to the banister and put one foot forward and then I was walking down the stairs. I had this a few times while aalking this morning where I just stood there unable to think how to walk just for a few brief moments. I sometimes get balance and judgement issues while in a partial shutdown and these are thw main indicators that I am in one, as they are the first things I have difficulties with when my body starts to partly shut down. I overcompensate in regards to the judgement issues... In other words where I would have seen a gap between people walking towards me in a town etc... I will need to stop ad wait for a much larger gap, or just stop and wait for them to walkaround me as my ability to judge gaps has been compromized so I don't take risks. I need the gap of three people for me to fit throug if that makes sense? Balance issues... When at the top of stairs, not only do I get moments of what do I do next on rare occasions, but my ability to balance has been essed with during a partial shutdown, so I will need to manually lean foresrd to grab the handrail to walk downstairs, and sometimds I will get on my bottom and go down that way rather then take risks when I am having difficulty in this way. I find the first step or two is the hardest to do. Once I am over the first two steps, I am fine.

Sounds to me like you are just not linking the final actions you say you are 'forgetting' (and you did mention perhaps forgetting is not accurate), with the main task at hand.
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How about taking one of those tasks and writing them down in an outline or timeline?
Create all the steps you want to get through for that task, in words or pictures, so you can visualize the whole thing beginning-to-end.
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Sometimes leaving notes.. say, on the fridge door that says "CLOSE ALL CONTAINERS BEFORE PLACING INSIDE", might help.
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For me... if it's a task I don't do very often, or a onetime thing... I'm likely to not get it completely correct.
Repetition, and building on each time I do it, works good for me.
I may not get the whole task completed the first time, playout the steps in my mind for the next time, and maybe add a little more success the next time I do it.
Also, not bashing myself for the mistake of not completing the task as I want to, is important.
I am the way I am... I no longer hate on myself because of it. In so doing, I have freed myself up to make those errors, recognize them, and build on those experiences in order to be more complete in my actions next time.
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With my smart phone, I will make a step-by-step list of what I need to accomplish... providing I stop and take the time to pull out my phone and make the list. lol
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Hope you find some means/method/tool to help you manage the tasks.