Developing Executive Function Skills – A Whole Brain Approach

What is executive function (EF) skills? When does it develop? Can it be developed, or is it inherent in our genetic makeup—the old nature versus nurture argument? A deep dive into the literature and best practices reveals well-accepted “truths” and continued misconceptions.

What is executive function?

First, what really is executive function? Executive function is not a singular skill but rather a set of skills that underlie our ability to regulate ourselves, attend and focus, inhibit or control our tendencies, manage our emotions, set goals, make plans, and organize, prioritize, and initiate tasks.

Is executive function developed?

While genetic predisposition has a role in determining our EF capacities, there is very much a nurture component to the nature-nurture dichotomy. No one individual is born with a fully developed repertoire of executive functioning skills, but almost everyone is capable of developing them.

When is executive function developed?

Although the blueprint may be genetic, many facets of good EF skills can be taught and therefore learned early. Many experts support the view that the foundations are already built in infancy and continue to rapidly develop through early childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood. As a child’s executive function grows, adults can allow him/her to gradually manage more aspects of their environment and lives.

What areas can poor executive function impact?

Poor or under-developed executive function capacities that do not correspond with the developmental stage and environmental demands of an individual can manifest in a myriad of challenges in attention, learning, behavior, self-management, emotional regulation, self-organization, and social-emotional well-being.

Is working memory part of executive function?

A key component in the domain of executive function, the capacity to hold, manipulate, and integrate information from both long and short-term memory allows an individual to learn effectively. It is also an important capacity that allows for reasoning, inhibiting, and guiding decisions and ultimately behavior.

How can executive function be developed?

As research has enabled us to understand more of what executive function comprises in terms of cognitive skills and capacities, there are now frameworks and modalities that can help develop many aspects of these key capacities. Cogmed, a renowned program, can develop one’s working memory and attention skills. The Interactive Metronome program is also another highly acclaimed program that assists with inhibitory control, sustained focused attention, processing, and other facets that make up EF skills. Additionally, many top-down approaches such as Cognitive Orientation to Occupational Performance, Social Thinking, Social Emotional Learning, and others have gained recognition for their valuable contributions to building various EF capacities.

At Kidz OTC, we address executive function by putting in an individualized, dynamic and collaborative plan of care alongside caregivers to equip the individual with all the skill capacities that is under the umbrella of executive function.  Homebased options such as the Interactive Metronome and Cogmed programs are key components of this holistic whole brain approach to EF skils, ask our therapist about it.

Read on to find out “What is Cogmed?” and if it can work for your child