Improve Executive Function in Children and Adults: Tools for Occupational Therapy

Executive functions are the skills that help us focus attention, set and stick to a plan, control our impulses, and juggle multiple projects. All of these are critical to achievement at school, work, and in life. The multiple and simultaneous demands of a classroom, household or busy office require effective executive function.

Children and Executive Function

Your child’s backpack is a mess. Their planner isn’t used and homework can’t be found. Instructions from the classroom are forgotten. Planners are meant to help students get organized, but without good executive function, it’s nearly impossible to learn how to use them effectively.

The lack of organization triggers a downward spiral. Negative self-messaging about forgetting the homework and negative feedback from behavior in the classroom result in not being valued as an individual, as a student. Low self-esteem and lack of confidence often follow.

Adults and Executive Function

Adults have similar, just more grown up, versions of this scenario. They may have great ideas in a meeting but struggle with the follow through. Their desk is like the backpack! It’s difficult and stressful to meet deadlines and thousands of dollars are spent on organizational tools.

How do Unyte programs help Executive Functioning?

Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP)

Without an appropriate physiological state, we just can’t access our executive functions. The SSP is a five-day intervention that helps with autonomic regulation and improves high level functions like problem solving, planning and behavioral control.

Focus System

The filtered music and specific movement activities of the Focus System programs encourage the integration of sensory input, leading to more efficient brain function and energy to the prefrontal cortex – the area of the brain responsible for executive functioning.

HOW IT WORKS

All iLs systems come with supervision, either from your current iLs-trained therapist or from an iLs-employed coach who can work remotely with clients who don’t have an iLs provider in their area. You can find an iLs Provider here or contact us to locate someone in your area.