Executive functioning supports: Diving deeper into strategies and systems to support learning and work (October 8, 2024)

Presented by: Elisa Wern and Judith Schoonover 

Executive function skills are critical for clients' daily functioning and participation in various activities. Executive function encompasses cognitive processes like planning, task initiation, working memory, sustained attention, performance monitoring, impulse inhibition, and goal-directed persistence. Individuals with disabilities such as autism, ADHD, and emotional disorders benefit from executive function support (e.g., Foegel et al., 2019). By understanding and implementing strategies to support executive function, occupational therapists can enhance their clients' ability to plan, organize, manage time, regulate emotions, and regulate behaviours (Dawson & Guare, 2016), which leads to improved academic, work, and daily living outcomes (e.g., Diamond, 2014). Without these skills, behaviours stemming from executive function issues may be misinterpreted as defiance (Pathways 2 Success, 2019).

This webinar will provide an overview of executive function as well as explore behaviours related to executive function disorders, offering evidence-based strategies for therapeutic support, applicable to younger learners through young adults, in the school aged range.The strategies and tools discussed will align with Dawson and Guare (2016)’s areas: plan management, time management, organization, emotion regulation, and behaviour regulation.

After taking part in this webinar, participants will be able to: 

1. List the five overarching areas of executive function.
2. Describe four strategies that support learners with executive functioning needs.
3. Identify four tools that can be used in conjunction with strategies to support learners with executive functioning needs.

Level  Intermediate (3-5 years of experience in this specific practice area)

Area of practice Assistive Technology, Autism/Neurodiversity, Developmental Disability, Pediatrics 

Client age group Children (5-12 years old)