What does executive function refer to in relation to ADHD?

Executive function refers to a set of cognitive processes that are essential for managing one's thoughts, actions, and emotions to achieve goals. In relation to ADHD, executive function encompasses skills such as impulse control, planning, organization, task initiation, and working memory. Individuals with ADHD often struggle with these executive function skills, leading to difficulties in regulating behavior and maintaining focus. This impairment in impulse control is particularly significant, as it affects a person's ability to think before acting, which is crucial in many everyday situations.

The other options, while potentially related to ADHD in different ways, do not specifically define executive function. Physical coordination skills pertain more to motor abilities, emotional responsiveness relates to how individuals express and control their feelings, and enhanced academic performance is an outcome that may be influenced by a variety of factors, including executive function but does not encapsulate the concept itself.