Executive Functioning Archives

More Than Behaviour: Supporting Children’s Emotional Wellbeing Through Everyday Occupations

On World Mental Health Day – 10 October, the Occupational Therapists at The Therapy Network (TTN) are reflecting on the many ways children’s emotional wellbeing is connected to everyday life. From school mornings and mealtimes to play, friendships, sensory experiences and sleep, a child’s daily occupations can either support regulation or add to their stress. By looking beyond behaviour and understanding what may be happening underneath, OTs can help children and families build routines, environments and strategies that support emotional wellbeing, participation and connection.

Emotional Regulation, Executive Functioning, News|Comments Off

From Overwhelmed to On Track: Helping Teens Build Executive Function Skills

Planning assignments, managing time, remembering deadlines and keeping track of belongings may seem straightforward, but these tasks rely on complex executive function skills that continue developing throughout adolescence. When these skills are still emerging, teenagers may appear disorganised, unmotivated or forgetful—even when they are trying hard. From an occupational therapy perspective, the goal is not simply to tell teens to “be more organised”, but to provide practical systems that make planning, time management and organisation more visible and manageable. This blog explores how families, educators and occupational therapists can help teenagers develop strategies that support greater confidence, independence and participation.

Daily Living Skills, Executive Functioning|Comments Off

More Than Keeping Busy: How Everyday Occupations Shape Your Child’s Health and Wellbeing

As occupational therapists, we know that wellbeing isn't built in therapy sessions alone—it grows through the everyday activities that give children purpose, connection, confidence, and joy. From getting dressed independently to playing with friends, participating at school, helping with family routines, and enjoying meaningful hobbies, these daily occupations are the foundation of healthy development. In this blog, we explore how occupational therapists use meaningful occupations to support children's physical, emotional, cognitive, and social wellbeing, and why participation—not perfection—is the key to helping every child thrive.

Daily Living Skills, Emotional Regulation, Executive Functioning, Fine and Gross Motor Skills, School Readiness, Sensory Processing|Comments Off

Beyond the Behaviour: What Is Your Child Really Trying to Tell You?

A child’s behaviour is often the most visible part of a much bigger story. Meltdowns, withdrawal, refusal, aggression or avoidance may be signs that a child is overwhelmed, anxious, tired, confused or unable to express what they need. In this blog, we explore the difference between behaviour and emotional regulation, why behaviour is a form of communication, and how adults can respond with curiosity, connection and practical support.

Daily Living Skills, Emotional Regulation, Executive Functioning, School Readiness, Sensory Processing|Comments Off

Less Clutter, More Play: How Toy Rotation Can Support Children with ADHD

A playroom full of toys might seem like the perfect environment for play, but for some children with ADHD, too many choices can make it harder to know where to start, stay engaged or pack away afterwards. Toy rotation is a simple strategy that reduces visual clutter and creates a more manageable play environment. In this blog, our Occupational Therapists at The Therapy Network explore how toy rotation can support attention, creativity, executive functioning and independent play — without taking the fun out of playtime.

Daily Living Skills, Executive Functioning, Fine and Gross Motor Skills, News, Sensory Processing|Comments Off

More Than Three Little Words: Helping Children Feel Seen This R U OK? Day

R U OK? Day is an important reminder that meaningful conversations can help people feel connected, supported, and less alone. For children, however, answering “Are you OK?” may not always be easy. Some children have difficulty identifying emotions, finding the right words, recognising when they need help, or talking while they are overwhelmed. In this blog, The Therapy Network (TTN) explores how families, and therapists can create safe opportunities for children to communicate, strengthen emotional awareness, and show that checking in is something we can do every day—not only on R U OK? Day.

Emotional Regulation, Executive Functioning|Comments Off

Beyond the Label: Understanding the Different Faces of ADHD

Not every child with ADHD looks the same. While some children are constantly on the move, others may appear quiet, daydreamy, or simply "switched off." ADHD presents differently in every child, and understanding these differences is the first step towards providing meaningful support. In this blog, our paediatric occupational therapists explore the three recognised presentations of ADHD—inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, and combined—and explain why looking beyond the diagnosis helps children thrive at home, at school, and in everyday life.

Daily Living Skills, Emotional Regulation, Executive Functioning, Sensory Processing|Comments Off

“They Can Play Minecraft for Hours!” Understanding Why Attention Isn’t the Same as Motivation

Synopsis "If they can spend hours building LEGO or playing video games, why can't they finish their homework?" It's one of the most common questions occupational therapists hear from families of children with ADHD. The answer lies in understanding that attention and motivation are not the same thing. In this blog, we explore how the ADHD brain regulates attention, why children can intensely focus on activities they enjoy yet struggle with everyday tasks, and how occupational therapy helps children, adolescents and young adults build the skills they need to succeed.

Daily Living Skills, Emotional Regulation, Executive Functioning, Sensory Processing|Comments Off

Beyond the Therapy Room: Why OTs Love Working Where Children Learn

A child can show us so much in a therapy room—but sometimes the missing piece of the puzzle is seeing them in the place where they spend much of their week: school. From managing classroom routines and playground friendships to coping with noise, organising belongings, starting tasks and regulating big emotions, school places many demands on a child at once. From an Occupational Therapist’s perspective, seeing these everyday moments firsthand can provide incredibly valuable insight into what is helping a child participate—and what might be getting in the way. In this TTN OT Insight, we explore why our Occupational Therapists work in schools, what we are looking for during a school visit, and how collaboration between therapists, educators and families can help children feel more confident, capable and included throughout their school day.

Daily Living Skills, Executive Functioning, Fine and Gross Motor Skills, News, School Readiness, Sensory Processing|Comments Off

When Plans Change: Helping Children Build Flexible Thinking and Resilience

When the plan changes, does your child become upset, anxious or completely overwhelmed? Flexible thinking is the ability to adapt when things don’t go as expected — and for some children, this can be much harder than it looks. In this blog, The Therapy Network (TTN) explores why change can feel so challenging, how flexible thinking connects with emotional regulation and executive functioning, and practical ways families can help children build confidence, adaptability and resilience one small change at a time.

Emotional Regulation, Executive Functioning, Sensory Processing|Comments Off

Executive Functioning

Our Pages

Contact

Our Pages

Contact