ERIC Number: EJ1398008
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1941-1243
EISSN: EISSN-1941-1251
Available Date: N/A
Executive Functioning in the Schools: Perspectives from Occupational Therapists
Tanis, Kelsey R.; Erb, Jacquelyn
Journal of Occupational Therapy, Schools & Early Intervention, v16 n3 p330-345 2023
Awareness of executive functioning and its relevance to both occupational participation and special education is expanding. This study describes how school-based occupational therapists address executive functioning in practice and determined if this differs from traditional areas. Fourteen occupational therapists from four districts in Michigan completed the 36-item online survey consisting of closed and open-ended questions. A majority of these participants agreed that executive functioning impacts school function and occupational therapists should address it in school; yet, only 33% provided intervention using this lens and 77% indicated this as the area they feel least prepared to address in school-based practice. Executive function practice significantly differed from handwriting (p < 0.05), sensory (p < 0.01), and fine motor competency (p < 0.01); fine motor and sensory evaluation (p < 0.05); and handwriting intervention (p < 0.05). Participants described their role with executive functioning as collaborative, supplemental to enhance participation, and applicable to functional organization tasks. Although some occupational therapists are embracing an occupation-based process explicitly considering executive functioning, a majority need continued education, role clarity, and advocacy to more intentionally align their team's services with emerging best practice.
Descriptors: Executive Function, Occupational Therapy, Allied Health Personnel, Intervention, Role, Best Practices, Delivery Systems, Attitudes, Student Development, Performance, Elementary Secondary Education
Taylor & Francis. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Michigan
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A