Building Brain Skills: What is Executive Functioning?
Abby Taylor, OT
As therapists, we love building brain skills that kids need to succeed. One of these necessary skills is executive functioning, but what exactly is that?
Executive Functioning
Executive functioning is the name for cognitive skills that we all need to participate in the things we want to do and need to do. These are skills that allow us to plan, organize, and regulate our bodies and minds so that we can participate in work, play, school, and household activities. For children, these skills grow and emerge through participating in daily routines and play activities.
As therapists, it is our job to help cultivate these skills. Your child may appear disorganized or have poor memory, resulting in frustration for both you and the child. There are many different strategies that we can set in place to help with that, such as visual charts, schedules, and different ways of communicating. Does your child have a short attention span? There are activities and strategies that we can use to help engage them and encourage them to participate in games and daily activities!
Without these skills, children may get frustrated easily, have a difficult time following instructions or a routine, they may forget instructions or household rules, and have tantrums or meltdowns when in a new place or with new people.
Examples
After answering what exactly executive functioning is, the next question is likely, “What do I need to look for in my child?” Listed below are some examples of executive functioning skills your child should demonstrate.
Attention
- Playing structured games with friends or family without losing interest
- Sitting at the table during mealtimes
Memory
- Learning and retaining new information like letters, colors, and numbers
- Remembering household rules/routines
- Thoroughness during bathing/toileting
Organization
- Locating necessary objects and items during the day
- Putting away clothing in drawers or in closet
Planning Ahead
- Completing home exercises from therapy
- Picking out outfits for the day
- Following a bedtime or morning routine
Impulse Control
- Playing with a single toy or activity without abandoning the task
- Holding caregiver’s hand in parking lots
- Participating in grocery shopping without tantrums
Emotional Regulation
- Frustration tolerance
- Losing/winning during a game
- Tolerating new people and places
If you notice your child having difficulties in any of these areas, occupational therapists at Hogg Therapy are trained in evaluating and treating executive functioning deficits. Visit our website here, or give us a call at 859-353-3666 if you have any questions or concerns about your child.
![We’ve loved seeing your stories roll in over the past couple weeks and wanted to share one of our own, thanks to therapists Lauren & Maya and their friend Tiffany. ❤️
Last week, OT Ms. Lauren and ST Ms. Maya accompanied Tiffany on a HUGE adventure, attending the Special Needs Camp of Kentucky for activities, friendship, and growth ? Headquartered in Bath County, SNCKI is free to attend, with nearly 100 campers enrolled this year! Ms. Lauren shared her thoughts with the HTP team when she got home: “The other campers welcomed [Tiffany] with open arms, and she made so many new friends…A space where 76 teens/adults with disabilities of all kinds were free to just be them and make those connections with each other while having tons of fun. We have had moments that were trickier to navigate, but we did it together.”
One of the nights was family and community night, featuring a group dance and a talent showcase. ?Lauren said, “The amount of love and support in the gym was out of this world. For her mom to see that, to know that we’ve got her girl no matter what, means more than any treatment code or note I could ever write. She is already asking when she gets to come back…and even told her mom to ‘buy a new house at camp’? If you are not already, follow Special Needs Connections of Kentucky, Inc on facebook. They are doing such AMAZING things for our community here and deserve so much support.” ? We couldn’t agree more!
Therapy isn’t about treatment codes, billable hours, documentation, or recertification. It’s about the meaningful moments and the love we pour into these children every single day. This is why Hogg Therapy exists—to give every child the opportunity to experience a meaningful, joyful life. ✨ Thank you, Lauren and Maya for your support both in and outside of the clinic and for sharing this story! ?](https://scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/747807719_18212073508337241_9129116297997701917_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0FST1VTRUxfSVRFTS5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=XHWOHNKbqngQ7kNvwHBxO-E&_nc_oc=Ado6shBMUfaBbZ4ewjx0ivsZmxI_fDZ3qAY3DldBqXDoVKuwiNEucbVIUkydJ_cKjYc&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=tmMyfCr378Iv_Aft0I3jYg&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQGDVFuEfoEQVHEgbaA488GpRxUyYqQIz3mP49J3luHFJ4FMgtgD9ThkqrO7X9_C_5QES4483Mcu8g&oh=00_AQA0IGFjWY5AjnjQz_Us-AnR5TEAJE-ZyT4xxDkEHJ0ypQ&oe=6A6EB98A)
![We’re sharing an occupational therapy success story from OT Mrs. Abby today! ? Meet Grayson! When he first started occupational therapy, everyday life felt hard. He was experiencing significant picky eating, struggled with daily routines and transitions, and had a difficult time managing big emotions.
Since then, Grayson has put in so much hard work. Through OT, he has built confidence, strengthened his self-regulation skills, and learned to take on new and challenging tasks with courage. Every small step has added up to something truly amazing! One of the biggest reasons for Grayson’s success has been the incredible partnership with his parents. They fully embraced therapy beyond the clinic by consistently practicing strategies at home through his Home Exercise Program (HEP). Their dedication, encouragement, and willingness to try new approaches have made all the difference.
Today, Grayson is trying new foods every week, navigating daily routines with greater independence, and enjoying more successful, joyful moments with his family. His growth is a wonderful reminder of what can happen when a determined child, committed caregivers, and a supportive therapy team work together.
?Congratulations, Grayson! We are so proud of everything you’ve accomplished, and we’re celebrating your amazing parents, too. Your hard work, perseverance, and teamwork are inspiring! ?
[This story & all photos shared with parent permission ??] #occupationaltherapy #hoggtherapypediatrics #hoggtherapy #feedingtherapy](https://scontent-iad6-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/742695277_18211398901337241_3568386461214310976_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0FST1VTRUxfSVRFTS5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=oR7_fz2gWMoQ7kNvwGnz8pQ&_nc_oc=AdqSMqOpbiDNBQw4xWhycD-xWb8DSLuKHZEUuqtSVv1Hc5rG4oCHYfewJ1ud8NCskWA&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-iad6-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=tmMyfCr378Iv_Aft0I3jYg&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQFfV3AddsrTYYTl5xAyDImzDnBtwWOzSOLjTkzgdhMVb3i0ofNEDjHUCwrdBgbhsFgW1cYIcKB4rQ&oh=00_AQDxl6J3tRCCp9l30gDYebPNmyUMsLuqEhcMhmAGBWETQg&oe=6A6ED04E)
