EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING APPS FOR ADULTS

Hailey Edwards Kern-Administrative Coordinator/Assistant To The Director

Executive function describes a set of cognitive processes and mental skills that help an individual plan, monitor, and successfully execute their goals. For many people with ADHD or learning disabilities, things like motivational regulation, planning, and problem-solving can be daunting. That’s why the use of assistive technology can be beneficial for tracking goals and appointments and remaining consistent/focused on everyday life tasks.
 
Below, we will explore some free apps that may be helpful to track and achieve goals. There are more straightforward calendar apps and gamified apps for children which reward them once a task is checked off as completed. 
 
Some of these apps will employ the use of the Pomodoro technique. The Pomodoro technique breaks down big tasks, projects, or goals into 25-minute segments, giving breaks in between. It keeps you hyper-focused on the next thing you need to do rather than get overwhelmed by the enormity of what you're taking on.

ASANA:

Asana is the easiest way to manage projects and tasks. From the small stuff to the big picture, Asana organizes work so timelines are clear on what to do, when to do it, and how to get it done.
 
The “My Tasks” button shows what is upcoming and needs to be done in chronological order.
Set up templates for repeating tasks to simplify your daily schedule with timelines. For a bit of whimsy, when you hit complete on a task, mythical creatures fly across your screen.
 
Great for work and personal life alike, Asana is easy to use!

GOOGLE KEEP:

Quickly capture what’s at the top of your mind and get a reminder later at the right place or time. Speak a voice memo on the go and have it automatically transcribed. Grab a photo of a poster, receipt, or document and easily organize it or find it later in a search. Google Keep makes it easy to capture a thought or list for yourself and share it with friends and family.
 
Keep all the tasks needed close at hand without all the mess of paper. A hub to keep voice memos, draw pictures, take pictures and organize them into categories that make sense for your brain. This app can sync across all devices and can even set up location-based reminders so that once a destination is reached, a list or reminder will automatically pop up. 
 
Great for families because you can share and collaborate on notes and ideas easily.

Sectograph. Day & Time Planner:

Sectograph is a time planner that visually displays a list of tasks and events for the day in the form of a 12-hour pie chart - a watch dial. The application will help sharpen sense of time and allow one to visualize the day ahead.
 
This app can be synced to Google Calendar or used on its own. Choose different colours for different tasks, look at the monthly view to see how you spend most of your time and have a count down to your next task. A calendar and analog clock combined give an amazing visual representation of work, allowing the ability to plan and calculate your day effectively.
 
Technology should always make our lives easier, and these apps do just that. Finding the app that works best for how your brain processes and solidifies information is important. Try one at a time and see which makes the most sense for you! By adding in fun functions, organizational lists, and mindfulness exercises, anyone can use any of these apps!
 
If any apps have been helpful that we didn’t mention, we would love to hear about them! Comment below!