Executive function refers to a set of cognitive processes and mental skills that help individuals plan, monitor, and successfully execute their goals. These skills include working memory, cognitive flexibility, and inhibition control.
Based on that definition, who needs to understand executive function in the pediatric therapy world? Just SLPs? OTs? PTs?
ALL THERAPISTS need to have a solid understanding of executive function, as these skills are essential for learning, working, and managing daily life.
SLP and executive function expert Tera Sumpter says,
“A child’s success is directly proportional to our willingness to not give up.”
Let’s take a look at what Knowledge Is Now’s Ashlyn Hudson, Occupational Therapist, had to say about her recent experience learning about executive function from Tera:
“I recently attended the course “Executive Function: More than Just Attention” by Tera Sumpter and WOW was it fantastic!
Tera had the attendees engaged from minute one with high value information, engaging examples, real-life application, and puppets! What more could you ask for in a professional development course?
I learned so much in this training. As an OT, I have an understanding of executive function skills, but this course took my knowledge to a whole new level. We focused on the executive function skills she identifies as root skills – perception, attention, verbal and non-verbal working memory, and inhibition. These foundation skills help lead to the development of more complex executive function skills, such as initiation, self-modulation, and even more complex skills like planning, prioritizing, organizing and decision making.
Taking a really in-depth look at these root skills, how they develop, and what it looks like when they aren’t developed helped me think through how I will evaluate patients, identify skill deficits and write goals. I appreciated the time we spent digging into interventions that will help with the skill development and feel better equipped to address these skills in therapy sessions. One of my biggest take-aways was thinking through the tools I give kids to support their self-regulation and how those tools will be ineffective if they don’t have the executive function skills in place to use them.”
Ashlyn emphasized,
“I don’t always leave a training feeling excited and ready to implement new ideas, but this one had me energized! My approach to therapy will shift in a way I feel will better serve the kids I treat. Sign me up for continuing my own learning and growth!”
Check out Tera Sumpter’s work here.
