Executive Function And Other Cognitive Considerations For Speech And Language Treatment Of Middle And High School Students

Course overview

Executive Functions (EFs) and other aspects of Cognitive Control mature well into adulthood. Adolescents are, in many ways, just beginning this journey. This practical course reviews the research on maturation of these aspects of cognition in typical middle and high school age students and those with EF difficulties. EFs reviewed include: attention, theory of mind, working memory, decision making, emotional regulation and goal setting. How these impact classroom performance is specifically addressed. The course then presents approaches that SLPs can use to help middle and high school age students compensate for EF difficulties in the classroom. Finally, pharmacological interventions as well as evidence-based methodologies for building executive function skills are reviewed.