Executive Functioning: Your Brain’s Admin Team and why Visual Supports Matter

In the everyday world of life, learning and connection, executive functioning plays a critical, but often invisible role. Commonly referred to as the brain’s admin team, these skills help us plan, focus, shift gears, regulate emotions and follow through on tasks.

When executive functioning skills are underdeveloped or disrupted – whether due to developmental differences, injury or neurological conditions – daily life can quickly feel overwhelming. Fortunately, research continues to show that visual supports are a practical and powerful way to scaffold these mental processes and promote participation, independence and success across the lifespan.

What is Executive Functioning?

Executive functioning refers to a set of cognitive skills that include (see our free download for more info):

As Dr. Russell Barkley describes, these functions are essential for self-regulation and are deeply tied to independence, learning and behaviour. Dr. Adele Diamond reinforces their foundational role in child development and mental health. In Australia, Professor Muireann Irish’s research at the University of Sydney has helped illuminate how executive functions are impacted in conditions like dementia and brain injury – reminding us that these challenges extend far beyond childhood.

Executive functioning isn’t a childhood issue – it’s a lifelong reality. Challenges can emerge in many contexts:

These challenges can touch every corner of life – getting dressed in the morning, managing a mealtime, remembering an appointment or staying calm when something unexpected happens. What may seem like “simple tasks” to some can feel like steep mountains to others.

That’s why visual supports aren’t just helpful – they’re essential. They offer a gentle, respectful way to bridge the gap between intention and action. For clinicians, educators and carers, they’re a practical tool grounded in empathy – supporting not just function, but dignity and confidence too.

Visual supports make thinking visible. They allow the brain’s admin team to work with less strain and more structure. They:

Research by Kenworthy et al. (2005) and Strobel et al. (2011) shows that visual supports improve task initiation, completion and emotional regulation – especially for autistic individuals and those with executive functioning differences. Coughlin & Montague (2011) highlight their use in supporting people with brain injuries and dementia through structured visual prompts and clear routines.

For speech therapists, OTs and other allied health professionals, visual supports can be simple yet transformative.

Here are some practical examples:

These supports don’t just make daily life clearer – they build self-confidence, reduce overwhelm and support autonomy.

Executive Functions(EF), EF icon at wood box. Young children’s brain skills It plays an important role in other skills such Working Memory, Inhibitory Control grow with quality and success in life.

At MyComms, we believe in communication-informed support. Our platform makes it easy for families, educators and professionals to create, customise and share visual supports that truly reflect the person they’re supporting.

Whether you’re helping a child build routines, a teen learn life skills or an adult navigate memory loss -MyComms lets you bring their world into the visual supports they use, using their words, their images and their priorities.

Explore how MyComms can help you create flexible, personalised visual supports anytime, anywhere.

👉 Learn more about MyComms