Special issues on 'working memory and executive functioning in individuals with intellectual disabilities'.

In recent years, evidence has mounted to show that the study of working memory and executive functions is crucial for understanding the cognitive profile of individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID), and for implementing appropriate interven- tion programmes. The two constructs of working memory and executive functions have been differently conceptulised and studied. However, there is a substantial agreement that working memory refers to the temporary maintenance of information in memory and to its eventual elaboration in order to meet specific cognitive requests (e.g. Baddeley 1986). Under somewhat more debate is the definition of ‘executive functions’ and the possibility that they concern a large variety of cognitive processes, working memory included. However, according to Meltzer (2007, pages 1–2) ‘there is general agreement... that executive function is an umbrella term for the complex cognitive processes that serve ongoing, goal-directed behaviour. In this regard, most of the definitions of executive function include many, but not all, of the following elements: goal setting and planning; organization of behaviour over time; flexibility; attention and memory systems that guide processes