preface

Part 1: Overview of the Executive Function Enhancement Program

Chapter 1: Why Executive Functioning Programs Are Necessary for Adults with Autism
1.
Difficulties in Transitioning to Adulthood for People with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) Without Intellectual Disability
2.
Executive function problems in autism spectrum disorder
3.
The Association Between Executive Functioning Problems and Difficulties in Social Adaptation in Autism Spectrum Disorder
4.
Interventions to address executive function vulnerabilities
5.
Focus of Transition Intervention for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder without Intellectual Disability
6.
Development process of the executive function utilization program and composition of the final program
7.
Evidence-based research on the effectiveness of the program

Chapter 2: Program Structure and Manual Overview
1.
Program structure
2.
Structure of the manual

Part 2: Becoming a Manager of Your Life Using the Executive Function Program Manual

Let's find out what my executive function is like in Session 1.
Let's make our own plan and create a system for the second session.
Let's manage our limited time efficiently during the third session.
Let's manage emotions and stress in the 4th session.
Let's think and act flexibly in the 5th session.
Let's manage our daily lives by utilizing the 6th session executive function.
Let's use the 7th session executive function to improve our ability to adapt to environmental changes.
Let's manage our personal finances using the 8th session execution function.
Let's use the 9th session execution function to find the right job for me.
Let's introduce myself to the job I want by using the 10-session execution function.
Let's learn how to do well in interviews by utilizing the 11th session execution function.
Let's learn how to improve your work life by utilizing the 12-session executive function.

References

This manual contains guidelines to help adults study and utilize executive functions to acquire the skills (adaptive behavior) necessary to conduct daily life and live and manage an independent life.
Doctors and clinical psychologists at the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Clinic at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital came together and developed a 12-session educational program by combining their clinical experience. After verifying this program with adults with autism spectrum disorder, they refined and supplemented the content and published it as a book.

What I've come to realize from years of meeting and treating autistic adults and researching autism spectrum disorder is that the skills and attitudes needed to live an independent life are very small and trivial, and they begin with things we encounter in our daily lives.
This includes things related to food, clothing, and shelter, managing time and money, and adapting flexibly to minor changes without being flustered or upset.
These actions necessary for daily life may seem to occur naturally, but they are actually the result of the frontal lobe working hard to perform a function called executive function.
We've found that people with autism often have difficulty learning these skills, and that even people with high intellectual ability actually have a lot of trouble learning and utilizing them. This program is designed to explain the basics of executive function, practice using it, and help build on it to build small, trivial daily life skills one by one.

I hope this book will provide guidance to adults with autism spectrum disorder to live healthier and happier lives in society.
Currently, this program has been developed and validated for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) without intellectual disability, but with modifications to the difficulty level and pace of instruction, it could be adapted for adults with borderline intelligence or intellectual disability.
Some of the book's content may also be helpful to ordinary adults who are just starting college or working life.
I hope this book will flexibly adapt and evolve in response to changes in society and the environment, and will continue to help many adults for a long time.