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OT IN PEDIA

COGNITIVE SKILLS AND EXECUTIVE FUNCTION SKILLS

TermDefinitionKey FeaturesSchemaLimitations
COGNITION - Mental functions that enable learning, reasoning, problem-solving, and adaptation. - Foundation for participation in play. school, self-care, and social life.
GLOBAL MENTAL FUNCTION - Consciousness, orientation, energy/drive, personality/temperament
SPECIFIC MENTAL FUNCTIONS - Attention, memory, perceptual functions, thought (sequencing, categorization), executive functions. - Higher level skills, but still needs lower skills.
TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT - Cognitive skills progress from sensorimotor exploration → symbolic thought → logical reasoning → abstract thinking - Development occurs through interaction with environment and occupations
Match the activities with the cognitive level of the child - follow the typical development when giving activities, instructions, and other critical elements of the activity.
THEORY OF COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT BY JEAN PIAGET The purpose of intelligence was to help humans adapt to the environment. In the process of adaptation, cognitive structures changed through the process of assimilation and accommodation.
ASSIMILATION Integrating new information into existing mental structures (schemas).
ACCOMODATION Adjusting or creating new mental schemas when existing ones don’t fit
ADAPTATION Balance of assimilation and accommodation that drives learning and cognitive development.
PIAGET’S STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT 1. SENSORIMOTOR (0-2 YRS) Learning through senses and motor actions; cause and effect understanding; development of object permanence (when you press a button, a light pops up). - Type of thought - The more you provide opportunities, the more you acquire schema.
Sensory information - you understand how your body responds
substage: Simple Reflexes Age: Birth - 1 Month Description: Reflexive responses ore the are the basis of interaction in the world Example: Rooting, sucking, grasping
substage: First Habits & Primary Circular Reactions Age: 1 - 4 Months Description: Repetitions of actions centered on the body Example: Repeatedly sucking thumb differently from nipple
substage: Secondary Circular Reactions Age: 4 - 8 Months Description: Intentional actions directed toward environment Example: Infant coos to keep caregiver nearby
substage: Coordination of Secondary Circular Reactions Age: 8 - 12 Months Description: Goal-directed behavior, object permanence emerging Example: Infant pushes a toy aside to grab one underneath
substage: Tertiary Circular Reactions, Novelty, & Curiosity Age: 12 - 18 Months Description: Trial-and-error exploration; problem-solving Example: Infant drops a block in different ways to see results
substage: Internalization of Schemes Age: 18 - 24 Months Description: Mental representation of events, beginning of symbolic thought Example: Infant imitates a tantrum they observed the other day
PIAGET’S STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT 2. PRE-OPERATIONAL (2-7 YRS) Symbolic thought, pretend play, rapid language growth, egocentric thinking (difficulty seeing other’s perspectives) Lack of logical operations; cannot conserve quantity or understand reversibility.
Symbolic pretend play - up to 4 - Has language and scripts (ex: check if he is sick, etc) (animalistic thoughts) - Could be the misrepresentation of the function of an object. More of the reality that you are misrepresenting
Egocentric thinking - Difficult for them to understand others (tumitigas ulo nila, saying “no”, being firm)
Age: 2-4 y/o Stage: Symbolic Function (PC) Cognitive Milestones: • Mentally represent an object not present (draws, language, pretend play) Representing from mental imprint • Strong egocentrism and animism (3)
Egocentrism They think that everyone is thinking the same as them. That is why they can throw tantrums and meltdowns because they do not understand that we all think differently.
Animism Giving lifelike features. Talking to toys and dolls like they are alive.
Age: 5-7 y/o Stage: Intuitive Thought Cognitive Milestones: • Children seem so sure of their knowledge and understanding yet are unaware of how they know that they know • Curiosity and primitive reasoning • Centration, conservation, irreversibility
Irreversibility It wouldn't be clear yet that ice is water, and water is ice. Children do not understand this and so they only have irreversibility at this time.
PIAGET’S STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT 3. CONCRETE OPERATIONAL (7 - 11 YRS) - Preschooler - Pretend play becomes more complex, more activity level Logical thinking about concrete, tangible events; conservation of mass/number; classification and derivation (ordering by size/number)
PIAGET’S STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT 4. FORMAL OPERATIONAL (11 & ABOVE) Abstract thought, hypothetical reasoning, deductive logic, metacognition (thinking about thinking)
FACTORS AFFECTING TYPICAL COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT - 0-7 y/o is a very crucial age for development because marami na namiss na milestones. Kaya pag ganto age, wag masyado panoorin ng youtube. - If we want to build schemas, we give stimulus and opportunities such as play and human interactions
FACTORS AFFECTING TYPICAL COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT Biological: genetic conditions, brain injury, sensory processing
FACTORS AFFECTING TYPICAL COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT Environmental: family routines, exposure to play/learning, socioeconomic context
FACTORS AFFECTING TYPICAL COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT Social: caregiver interaction, peer relationships, cultural values
FACTORS AFFECTING TYPICAL COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT Occupational: opportunities for play, school participation, technology use
RED FLAGS 1 - Difficulty with sequencing routines - iI therapy centers, it is a common redflag sa parents na they are waiting for the kid to do certain things na it is past their age already.
RED FLAGS 2 - Struggles in symbolic or pretend play beyond age expectations - Poor attention span or inability to follow age-appropriate instructions - Challenges in adapting strategies across contexts
IMPACT OF COGNITIVE SKILLS ON OCCUPATIONS ADLs: forgetting steps, trouble sequencing dressing or hygiene
IMPACT OF COGNITIVE SKILLS ON OCCUPATIONS Education: poor attention, weak memory, difficulty problem-solving
IMPACT OF COGNITIVE SKILLS ON OCCUPATIONS Play: difficulty with rule-based or cooperative games
IMPACT OF COGNITIVE SKILLS ON OCCUPATIONS Social Participation: trouble with perspective-taking, turn-taking
IMPACT OF COGNITIVE SKILLS ON OCCUPATIONS Leisure/Work (Older Child): trouble planning, organizing, managing time
EVALUATION - STANDARDIZED ASSESSMENTS Bayley Scales of Infant Development - Measures cognitive, motor, and language development
EVALUATION - STANDARDIZED ASSESSMENTS Mullen Scales of Early Learning Early cognitive and motor milestones
EVALUATION - STANDARDIZED ASSESSMENTS Wechsler Scales (WPPSI,WISC) - Intellectual functioning - Usually used by devpeds
EVALUATION - STANDARDIZED ASSESSMENTS Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) Everyday executive functioning
EVALUATION - STANDARDIZED ASSESSMENTS School Function Assessment (SFA) Participation and task performance in school
EVALUATION - OBSERVATIONAL METHODS - Play Routines (Problem solving, symbolic play) - Classroom Activities (attention, task completion) - ADLS (sequencing, organization, memory in routines)
EVALUATION - ECOLOGICAL ASSESSMENTS - COPM (Canadian Occupational Performance Measure) - Caregiver and teacher interviews. - Contextual analysis of home, school, and play environments. 
HOW DO WE GRADE COGNITIVE SKILLS? - Age appropriate or age inappropriate; emerging, developing, mastered - especially if using Piaget - Does not matter if advanced for the age, it is still age appropriate because we look at the typical development
Why do we use GFP in adults? - Because they are already mature (not in the stage of skill attainment) - We look at how they use the skill efficiently, if there is blablabla (Di ko narecord)
INTERVENTION APPROACHES - REMEDIATION (SKILL-BUILDING) - Sequencing games - Categorization and sorting activities - Memory tasks (matching, recall games)
INTERVENTION APPROACHES - COMPENSATION (SUPPORTIVE STRATEGIES) - Visual schedules and checklists - Timers and reminders - Simplified instructions with step-by-step prompts
INTERVENTION STRATEGIES - COGNITIVE STRATEGIES - CO-OP (Goal-Plan-Do-Check) - Problem-solving scripts, self-talk - “Stop-Think-Do-Check” Routines
INTERVENTION STRATEGIES - OCCUPATION-BASED INTERVENTIONS - Real routines (packing backpack, cooking, morning dressing). - Schoolwork planning (breaking assignments into steps). - Play with peers (games requiring turn-taking, flexibility).
INTERVENTION STRATEGIES - ENVIRONMENTAL SUPPORTS - Teacher/Caregiver scaffolding - Peer-assisted learning - Structured, predictable routines.
EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS - Higher-order cognitive processes that enable self-regulation, goal-directed behavior, and problem-solving
Behavioral Regulation - Emotional control - Shift - Inhibit
Meta-cognition - Monitor - Organization of materials - Plan/Organize - Working memory - Initiate
WHY REGULATION COMES FIRST? - EF skills rely on prefrontal cortex activity. - In a dysregulated state (fight/flight/freeze), the limbic system “hijacks” → EF goes offline. - Trying to teach EF skills during a meltdown or high stress moment will not “stick”
CO-REGULATION IS THE BRIDGE - Before EF teaching, the child usually needs support from a regulated adult. - Once calm, the brain is more ready to engage in EF learning.
Co-regulation strategies: calm voice, sensory tools, movement breaks, predictable routine
REGULATION AS A PRE-REQUISITE SKILLS Teach regulation → then practice EF
regulation in action For younger children or those with development challenges, EF is _________________.
regulated state EF strategies (e.g. “Stop-Thing-Do-Check”) only makes sense when the child is back in a ______________.
TWO DIMENSIONS OF EXECUTIVE FUNCTION SKILLS - THINKING (COGNITIVE) Planning and Prioritization - set goals, set steps to reach goal - decide the first and last of importance  - The ability to create a roadmap to reach a goal, deciding on steps and priorities along the way.
TWO DIMENSIONS OF EXECUTIVE FUNCTION SKILLS - THINKING (COGNITIVE) Organization - task and information  - The skill of keeping track of materials and ideas in structured, logical ways to avoid confusion.
TWO DIMENSIONS OF EXECUTIVE FUNCTION SKILLS - THINKING (COGNITIVE) Time Management - Ability to use your time effectively - plan and schedule accordingly to allocate the time reasonably to finish it - The capacity to estimate how long tasks will take, set deadlines, and use time effectively
TWO DIMENSIONS OF EXECUTIVE FUNCTION SKILLS - THINKING (COGNITIVE) Working Memory - Holding information in mind for use - The ability to hold and manipulate information in mind to complete tasks or solve problems.
TWO DIMENSIONS OF EXECUTIVE FUNCTION SKILLS - THINKING (COGNITIVE) Metacognition - Thinking about thinking - Capacity to monitor and reflect on what you are thinking - The skill of self-monitoring and reflecting on one's own performance to make adjustments.
self-monitoring: Having the responsibility checking or correcting his or her own work
TWO DIMENSIONS OF EXECUTIVE FUNCTION SKILLS - DOING (BEHAVIORAL) Response Inhibition - The ability to think before acting and resist impulses that could interfere with goals.
TWO DIMENSIONS OF EXECUTIVE FUNCTION SKILLS - DOING (BEHAVIORAL) Emotional Control - Regulating to meet the task demands - The capacity to manage feelings so they do not disrupt thinking or behavior.
TWO DIMENSIONS OF EXECUTIVE FUNCTION SKILLS - DOING (BEHAVIORAL) Sustained Attention - For a significant period of time - The skill of maintaining focus despite boredom, fatigue, or distractions.
TWO DIMENSIONS OF EXECUTIVE FUNCTION SKILLS - DOING (BEHAVIORAL) Task initiation - The ability to begin tasks without undue procrastination or delay
TWO DIMENSIONS OF EXECUTIVE FUNCTION SKILLS - DOING (BEHAVIORAL) Flexibility - Shift between tasks without difficulties (frustrated, inefficient) - The ability to revise plans in the face of obstacles, setbacks, new information, or mistakes.
TWO DIMENSIONS OF EXECUTIVE FUNCTION SKILLS - DOING (BEHAVIORAL) Goal-directed Persistence - Sustaining effort towards goal-directed activities - The ability to stay motivated and follow through with a goal despite difficulties.
TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT Preschool (3-5 yrs): Simple inhibitory control, emerging working memory
TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT School age (6-11 yrs): Improved attention, rule-following, planning simple routines
TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT Adolescence (12-18 yrs): Abstract planning, long-term organization, metacognition
TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT Adulthood: Mature executive control, but still context-dependent  
FACTORS INFLUENCING EXECUTIVE FUNCTION SKILLS DEVELOPMENT Biologic: Brain maturation (prefrontal cortex), neurodevelopmental conditions (ADHD, ASD, TBI)
FACTORS INFLUENCING EXECUTIVE FUNCTION SKILLS DEVELOPMENT Environmental: Parenting style, routines, school structure, stress
FACTORS INFLUENCING EXECUTIVE FUNCTION SKILLS DEVELOPMENT Occupational: Opportunities for play, games with rules, real-world problem solving
IMPACTS ON OCCUPATIONAL PERFORMANCE IMPACTS ON OCCUPATIONAL PERFORMANCE ADLs/IADLs: Forgetting steps, poor time management, safety risks
IMPACTS ON OCCUPATIONAL PERFORMANCE Education: Trouble initiating homework, organizing materials, sustaining attention
IMPACTS ON OCCUPATIONAL PERFORMANCE play: Difficulty following multi-step games or flexible play scenarios
IMPACTS ON OCCUPATIONAL PERFORMANCE Social Participation: Impulsivity, difficulty taking turns, poor emotional control
EVALUATION - STANDARDIZED ASSESSMENTS * BRIEF / BRIEF-2 (Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function) - Everyday EF behaviors in natural settings - Most commonly used 
EVALUATION - STANDARDIZED ASSESSMENTS D-KEFS (Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System) - Measure higher-level cognitive skills in structured tasks
EVALUATION - STANDARDIZED ASSESSMENTS NEPSY-II (Neuropsychological battery) - Broad cognitive functions including attention, memory, social perception, and EF
EVALUATION - STANDARDIZED ASSESSMENTS SFA (School Function Assessment) - Participation, task supports, and performance in school routines.
EVALUATION - OBSERVATIONAL METHODS - Classroom routines (initiation, self-monitoring) - Play tasks with rules - ADL sequencing
EVALUATION - ECOLOGICAL ASSESSMENTS - COPM with c/g - Daily routines analysis (home and school)
BRIEF/BRIEF-2: BEHAVIOR RATING INVENTORY OF EXECUTIVE FUNCTION - Standardized rating scale completed by parents, teacher, or self-report (older children/adolescents) - Captures real-world executive function behaviors across home, school, and community
BRIEF/BRIEF-2: BEHAVIOR RATING INVENTORY OF EXECUTIVE FUNCTION Purpose: - Evaluates how children regulate emotions, behavior, and cognition in everyday life. - Identifies EF strengths and weaknesses that affect ADLs, school play, and social participation
BRIEF/BRIEF-2: BEHAVIOR RATING INVENTORY OF EXECUTIVE FUNCTION Ages: 5-18 yrs
BRIEF Preschool: 2-5.11 yrs
BRIEF Self-report: 11-18 yrs
BRIEF/BRIEF-2: BEHAVIOR RATING INVENTORY OF EXECUTIVE FUNCTION Domains/Indices: Behavioral Regulation Index (BRI): - Inhibit - Shift - Emotional control
BRIEF/BRIEF-2: BEHAVIOR RATING INVENTORY OF EXECUTIVE FUNCTION Domains/Indices: Metacognition Index (MI): - Initiate - Working memory - Plan/Organize - Organization of Materials - Task Monitor
BRIEF/BRIEF-2: BEHAVIOR RATING INVENTORY OF EXECUTIVE FUNCTION Domains/Indices: Global Executive Composite (GEC): - Overall summary score of EF - Total of 9
BRIEF/BRIEF-2: BEHAVIOR RATING INVENTORY OF EXECUTIVE FUNCTION Scoring and Interpretation: (1) - Raw scores → converted to T-scores (mean = 50, SD = 10) - T > 65 → clinically significant EF difficulty
BRIEF/BRIEF-2: BEHAVIOR RATING INVENTORY OF EXECUTIVE FUNCTION Scoring and Interpretation: (2] - Profiles highlight whether issues are more behavioral regulation or metacognitive regulation - Comparison across raters (parent vs teacher) gives insight into contextual differences
HOW DO WE GRADE EF SKILLS? - We do not use GFP in grading - Different milestones kaya bawal din age appropriate and inappropriate  - Can use “emerging, developing, mastered”
INTERVENTION APPROACHES - REMEDIATION - Games for working memory (card recall, simon says) - Inhibition tasks (red light/green light) - Cognitive flexibility challenges (sorting tasks with shifting rules)
INTERVENTION APPROACHES - COMPENSATION - Visual schedules checklists, planners - Use of timers, alarms, or reminder apps - Breaking tasks into smaller steps
INTERVENTION STRATEGIES - COGNITIVE STRATEGIES - CO-OP (Goal-Plan-Do-Check) - Problem-solving scripts, self-talk - “Stop-Think-Do-Check” routines
INTERVENTION STRATEGIES - OCCUPATION-BASED - Real routines (packing backpack, cooking, morning dressing) - Schoolwork planning (breaking assignments into steps) - Play with peers (games requiring turn-taking, flexibility)
INTERVENTION STRATEGIES - ENVIRONMENTAL SUPPORTS - Teacher/caregiver scaffolding - Peer-assisted learning - Structured, predictable routines
HOW TO IMPROVE AND TEACH EF SKILLS 1 1. Assess and collaborate 2. Prioritize 1-2 target skills 3. Create SMART goals 4. Select evidence-based strategies and external supports 5. Teach the strategy explicitly (instruction) 6. Guided practice with scaffolding
HOW TO IMPROVE AND TEACH EF SKILLS 2 7. Apply to real-life scenarios (contextualization) 8. Teach self-monitoring and reflection 9. Systematically fade supports and promote generalization 10. Reinforce, problem-solve and troubleshoot 11. Monitor progress and adjust accordingly
SCAFFOLDING TIPS - Build EF skills through strengths-based approach - Start with the child's strongest EF area → scaffolding weak areas. - Embed strategies into meaningful occupations - Use rewards, visual cues, and consistent routines.
Executive functions are the brain’s air traffic control system—when we strengthen them, children gain the power to direct their own actions, emotions, and future participation in life.
SESSION PLAN IMPLEMENTATION: UNDERSTANDING AND APPLYING EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS 1 - Higher skills needed to execute certain task - A set of higher-order cognitive processes that are responsible for the control and regulation of lower-level processes, enabling individuals to achieve goal-directed behavior.
SESSION PLAN IMPLEMENTATION: UNDERSTANDING AND APPLYING EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS 2 - Effortful mental processes are needed when a person has to concentrate and pay attention.
FRAMEWORKS - MIYAKE ET AL (2000) Identified three EFs that work together for higher-level cognitive thinking - Shifting - Updating and Monitoring - Inhibition
Shifting - Moving from one task or mental set to another
Updating and monitoring* - Monitoring and revising the contents of working memory.
Inhibition - Stopping oneself from doing the first or automatic thing that comes to mindIdentified three EFs that work together for higher-level cognitive thinking
FRAMEWORKS - DIAMOND (2013) - Also follows 3 core EFs: Inhibition, Working Memory, and Flexibility 
Inhibition - Selectively attend and focus on what we choose, and suppress attention to other stimuli - Resist extraneous or unwanted thoughts or memories - Works to aid working memory - Self-control - CTA: Simon task, Go/no-go task, Stop-signal task
Working Memory 1 - Hold information in mind while mentally working with it. - Remembering instructions, rules, or sequences over short periods - Allows us to relate past information to present/future tasks
Working Memory 2 - Essential for reasoning, problem-solving, and goal-directed behavior - Works closely with inhibitory control to sustain focus - CTA: Digit span, N-back task, Self-ordered pointing task
CognitiveFlexibility 1 - Ability to shift perspectives, adapt to changing demand, or see things in multiple ways - Switching between tasks or mental sets - Helps adjust strategies when rules or environments change
Cognitive Flexibility 2 - Supports creativity, problem-solving, and considering multiple situations - Builds on both inhibitory control and working memory - CTA: WCST, DCCS, Task-switching paradigms
FRAMEWORKS - DAWSON & GUARE (2009) - Consists of 11 skills - Divided into two dimensions: Thinking, Doing
Thinking - The executive functions that help a person plan, organize, and guide their actions before carrying them out. They Involve mental processes like reflecting, setting goals, and monitoring progress to support problem-solving and decision-making
Doing - The executive functions that allow a person to put plans into action and manage behavior in the moment. They involve self-control, persistence, and flexibility to stay on track and adapt as tasks or situations change.
COOP (COGNITIVE ORIENTATION TO DAILY OCCUPATIONAL PERFORMANCE) - Studies stated that this helped in improving children's occupational participation - Client-centered, performance-based, problem-solving approach that enables skill acquisition through a process of guided discovery - Follows the GPDC format
GPDC format Goal - Plan - Do - Check
COOP Goal: Client identifies and chooses a specific skill/occupation they want to learn and improve
COOP Plan: OT uses guided discovery to help the client develop a plan to achieve their goal
COOP Do Client carries out the plan and performs the chosen activity.
COOP Check: The client and therapist reflect on the outcome
GAMES 1 - Simon says, go-no go task, other playground games - Through repeated practice, the child strengthens their ability to pause, process the command, and decide whether to act.
GAMES 2 - Game-based, behavior modification approach that uses a structured, playful activity to directly train response inhibition and sustained attention. - Game trains the child's brain to stop an automatic response and only act on a specific cue.
COGNITIVE REHABILITATION - Comprehensive program that uses targeted activities to retrain cognitive processes. The goal is to improve the brain's ability to adapt to new situations and reduce rigid, repetitive behaviors (Ramezani, 2024).
INTERVENTION PLANNING- FLEXIBILITY LTG: Claudine will improve cognitive flexibility by prioritizing accuracy and task completion over speed, as evidenced by reading instructions before answering and completing tasks with no physical outbursts independently within 6 months of OT sessions.
INTERVENTION PLANNING- FLEXIBILITY STG1: Claudine will demonstrate cognitive flexibility by completing classroom tasks according to instructions, even if she is not the first to finish, with moderate verbal prompting and visual cues, in 3 out of 5 opportunities within 3 months of OT sessions.
INTERVENTION PLANNING- FLEXIBILITY STG2: Claudine will demonstrate improved flexibility by refraining from physical outbursts (maintaining a calm behavior) when unable to finish first, given moderate verbal and physical prompting, in 3 out of 5 opportunities within 3 months of OT sessions.
Created by: avemaria
 

 



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