Why Is ADHD So Impairing?

00:00 Introduction 00:50 Discussion of the 7 basic executive functions 01:30 How the 7 EFs cause transitions across 4 dimensions of behavioral control 03:45 Brain maturation and the cognitive control of behavior 08:10 The major domains of impairment due to ADHD Here I discuss the reasons why ADHD is so impairing in many domains of life. It has to do with ADHD being a disorder of executive functioning. That functioning is crucial to our self-regulation across time toward our future. And that future directed behavior is essential for effective functioning in many major domains of life activities. This explains why ADHD is not an attention disorder but a disorder of EF and self-regulation. And that accounts for its serious and widespread impact on major life activities. Reference: Barkley, R. A. (2012). The Executive Functions: What They Are, How They Work, and Why They Evolved. New York: Guilford Publications. Barkley, R. A (2020). Taking Charge of ADHD: The Complete Authoritative Guide for Parents (4th ed.). New York: Guilford Publications. Barkley, R. A (2020). 12 Principles for Raising a Child with ADHD. New York: Guilford Publications. Barkley, R. A (2021) Taking Charge of Adult ADHD (4th ed.) New York: Guilford Publications. Barkley, R. A (2021). Treating ADHD in Children and Adolescents: What Every Clinician Needs to Know. New York: Guilford Publications.