Executive Functioning
You are cooking dinner and realize halfway through that you are missing an ingredient. What is the first thing you should do?
Identify alternatives or make a plan before continuing (e.g., substitute ingredient, check recipe, make a list).
What should you do first if you smell smoke in your home?
Ensure safety, leave the area if needed, identify source, call for help if necessary.
Repeat these numbers backward: 4 – 1 – 9.
9 – 1 – 4.
What does the phrase “don’t cry over spilled milk” mean?
Do not dwell on mistakes or things that already happened.
Name five animals in 15 seconds.
Any 5 animals without perseveration.
Name two strategies that help with time management.
Use a calendar, alarms, written schedule, timers, prioritization, to-do lists.
Name three items you should take if you must leave home quickly during an emergency.
Medications, phone, wallet/ID, charger, keys, emergency contacts.
Listen carefully: “John needs milk, bread, and apples.” What were the three items?
Milk, bread, apples.
How are a watch and a calendar alike?
Both help manage or track time.
What category do these belong to: apple, banana, orange?
Fruit.
Your ride to therapy cancels 15 minutes before pickup. What are two appropriate next steps?
Call therapy office, arrange another ride, use public transportation/rideshare, notify family/caregiver.
Your medication bottle says “take twice daily.” What questions should you ask before taking it?
When to take it, with food or not, dosage amount, possible side effects, interactions.
Name three ways to improve memory for appointments.
Use phone reminders, calendars, sticky notes, planners, caregiver reminders.
Explain what “thinking outside the box” means.
Being creative or approaching a problem differently.
Give two synonyms for “happy.”
Glad, joyful, cheerful, content, excited.
Explain the difference between an urgent task and an important task.
Urgent tasks require immediate attention; important tasks have long-term value or consequences.
A text message says you won a prize but asks for your bank information. What are two warning signs this may be a scam?
Requests personal information, unexpected prize, suspicious links, pressure to act quickly.
What is divided attention?
Paying attention to more than one task at the same time.
Why might someone say “actions speak louder than words”?
Behavior is more meaningful than promises or statements.
Name as many words as possible that begin with the letter “S” in 30 seconds.
Any appropriate responses.
You have three errands: pharmacy closes in 20 minutes, grocery store closes in 2 hours, and laundry can wait until tomorrow. In what order should you complete them and why?
Pharmacy first because it is time-sensitive; grocery second; laundry last because it is least urgent.
You fall at home and cannot stand up. Describe the safest steps to take.
Stay calm, call for help, use emergency alert/phone if available, avoid rushing to stand, crawl to stable support if trained/safe.
I will say a short list. Repeat it after a 30-second delay: “Blue car, pizza, library, seven.”
Blue car, pizza, library, seven.
Give two possible meanings of the phrase “break the ice.”
Start conversation, reduce tension, help people feel comfortable.
Describe how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich using clear sequential steps.
Logical step-by-step explanation.