Executive Functions in Children with Intellectual Disabilities

Executive functions are higher order functions on the top level in the cognitive hierarchy, which implies the presence of basic intellectual functions in respect to which they are superior. Executive functions thus play the role of controller and modulator of cognitive functions. It is believed that the position of executive functions, i.e. the frontal lobe, (Freeman, 2000) is responsible for the overall ability of representation of the outer world. Executive functions are responsible for acquisition of all knowledge. Complexity of identifi cation of the aforementioned functions is refl ected, inter alia, in the fact that one of the requirements for their operation is voluntary attention, which is also an executive function (Ranganath et al., 2003). Impaired ability in self-control as well as emotional instability, carelessness in behaviour, impulsiveness, neglected hygiene, mental rigidity, diffi culties in planning, commencing and implementation of activities and Students You are en titled to a 50 % discount on a subscrip tion to The British Journal of Developm ental Disabi lities