TFCC: 007 Executive Function: Supporting Ourselves During OT Week

Hi Subscriber First Name,

Welcome to week 7 of The Functional Cognition Chronicles!

If you missed last week’s issue, we explored the importance of task analysis in Functional Cognition. As always, you can read it back in the blog post.

HAPPY OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY WEEK

It’s OT Week here in Australia—a perfect time to reflect on the incredible work we do and how we can manage ourselves, in managing executive function (EF).

Recently, I had the opportunity to attend a professional development session focused on Executive Function (EF), and it reinforced how central this area is to the work we do as occupational therapists. Whether it’s managing complex tasks, problem-solving in unfamiliar situations, or adapting to changes.

Yet, EF challenges are often subtle, especially during routine tasks. When demands increase—whether from new environments, stressful situations, or multi-step tasks—that’s when executive function struggles can emerge. In this newsletter, I’m excited to share some of the key takeaways I learned and how we can use these insights to support our clients more effectively.

EF plays a critical role in daily life, helping us plan, organise, focus, and adapt. These are skills our clients often need support with, but they’re also skills that, as therapists, we need to nurture within ourselves, especially as we balance the demands of our profession.

Let’s take a moment to explore how we can strengthen EF in ourselves!

Definition of Executive Function:

EF is often described as the brain’s "CEO," responsible for controlling and coordinating our thoughts, emotions, and actions.

“EF encompasses a set of interrelated cognitive abilities that are critical to control, coordination and regulation of thoughts, emotions and goal-directed actions” J Toglia.

During my recent training, we focused on the three core components of EF and how they manifest in daily life:

(Yes I was surprised when they did not articulate planning, problem solving or organising as these core components too - however when you learn more you recognise that these core components are essential for achieving the tasks associated with organising, planning and problem solving.)

1. Inhibition

Our inhibition involves the ability to control impulses and resist distractions—essential for staying focused in both our personal and professional lives. Whether we're managing multiple client caseloads or trying to complete administrative tasks, our ability to stay on track without being pulled away by distractions is critical.

2. Working Memory

Our working memory allows us to hold and manipulate information in our minds as we navigate multi-step tasks. This is crucial for activities like following complex instructions, planning our day, or juggling multiple client needs. If we overload our working memory, we risk losing track of essential steps or forgetting key details.

3. Cognitive Flexibility

Our cognitive flexibility enables us to switch between tasks, adapt to changes, and view problems from different perspectives. Whether it’s managing an unexpected client situation or reorganising our schedule on a busy day, cognitive flexibility helps us stay adaptable and resilient.

One of the key insights from the training was recognising when executive function challenges appear; routine and regular tasks are easy as they are familiar; more demanding or novel situations may highlight challenges in EF.

I will dive in to how we can look further in to these Executive functioning areas for our clients in the coming weeks, but for now I want to talk about Health professionals.

Taking Care of Ourselves Health Professionals:

While we focus on supporting our clients’ EF, it’s important to remember that we need these skills just as much. Balancing clients, paperwork, professional development, and personal life can often feel like there’s a lot of cars on our highway. Here’s how we can apply EF strategies to support ourselves this OT Week (& ongoing):

1. Inhibition (Managing Distractions at Work):
   In a world full of notifications and constant demands, our own ability to stay focused can be tested. How often do we find ourselves pulled away from a task by an email or an unexpected phone call?

   Tip:
   Set boundaries around your time. Consider scheduling "focus blocks" where you turn off notifications, close your email, and allow yourself uninterrupted time to work on one task. A quick mindfulness break to reset can also help you regain control of your attention.

2. Working Memory (Keeping Track of Everything):
   Ever get halfway through your day and feel like you’ve forgotten something important? Working memory is a finite resource, and it can feel like a traffic jam in your brain when you’re trying to juggle too much at once.

   Tip:
   External supports aren’t just for clients! Use checklists or digital reminders to keep track of your tasks and appointments. A good routine, whether in the clinic or your personal life, helps you manage tasks more smoothly and reduces the mental burden of holding everything in your head.

3. Cognitive Flexibility (Rolling with the Punches):
   As OTs, we need to adapt constantly—to changing client schedules, different intervention needs, and even unexpected challenges in our personal lives. Flexibility is key, but it can be exhausting if we don’t take care of ourselves.

   Tip:
   Give yourself permission to pivot! When things don’t go as planned, pause and consider alternative approaches. Take a moment to brainstorm solutions, and don’t hesitate to lean on your team or network for support. This will keep you grounded and more resilient when the unexpected happens.

Also - I was on a Podcast. Be the first to hear it drop by following Parish @ Passion Occupational Therapy on Spotify.