Sensory regulation and executive function: An integrative approach (Part 1) (April 15, 2024)

Presented by: Lindy Joffe, OTD, OTR/L 

Executive function (EF) skills impact a broad range of functional developmental outcomes (Hyland & Polatajko, 2012; Jokić & Whitebread, 2011; Rahimi-Golkhandan et al., 2014; Rosenblum, 2018), and are at the core of many challenges seen by pediatric occupational therapists (Crisci, et al., 2021; Torske et al., 2020). Yet occupational therapists report either disregarding EF entirely due to insufficient training, knowledge, and skills, and/or misunderstanding the interaction between EF and sensory-motor challenges (Cramm et al., 2013; Cramm et al., 2016; Jokić & Whitebread, 2011). Sensory processing and EF skills are neurologically and functionally interrelated (Nakajima et al., 2019; Romero-Ayuso et al., 2018). Given this, combined with the increasing complexity of the children in our referral base, occupational therapists must be able to integrate knowledge of sensory processing with a strong understanding of how to facilitate development of these executive processes (Joffe, 2022).

This two-part webinar series explores the intersection of sensory processing and executive function (EF) in children with regulatory challenges and overviews a novel therapy approach. Part 1 focuses on the underlying theoretical and neurological foundations that underlie this evidence-based approach. During this hour, participants will develop a working definition of EF along with its relationship to the key occupational performance areas addressed in pediatric practice. Multiple examples of the neurological relationship between the EF and sensory processing systems will be described to help elucidate the many ways in which these systems are intrinsically interconnected. The theoretical foundation of the QUEST Program (Joffe, 2022) will also be described.

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

1. Define executive function.
2. Identify two ways in which executive function skills impact occupational performance.
3. Identify two ways in which sensory processing and executive function skills impact one another to advance or hinder participation in occupations.

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