A teenager with autism and his occupational therapist provide insight and strategies about executive functioning skills. As children enter puberty, the frontal cortex begins maturation. It helps with analysis and successful completion of tasks. Teens may struggle to analyze, plan, adjust, and execute tasks which leads to frustration and disorganization.
Executive functioning disorder is prevalent in those with autism. Struggles in this area lead to great frustration in all aspects of daily life. As children enter puberty, the frontal cortex begins to mature. It helps with analysis and successful completion of tasks. Knowing how to organize, plan, adjust, and execute tasks decreases many frustrations and resulting behaviors that can occur. As children become older, successful experiences lead to skill development and a system of problem solving. It is for this reason that we entrust teens with increasing freedom and deem them competent in those skills required for more independent living. When a disruption or delay in executive functioning occurs, disorganization, recklessness, or other manifestations of frustration result. If a teen demonstrates difficulties with school projects/assignments, chores, planning long-term projects, using systems for organization, and/or establishing and carrying out long-term goals, he/she may require additional assistance. Occupational therapists specialize in structuring activities of daily living for success by formulating a specialized treatment plan. The plan, although tailored to the individual, contains many of the same general ideas and strategies. Upon completion of the program, the audience will list several accommodations for organization and study skills.
The first-hand account of Jacob Koscinski, a chess master and honors student who struggles greatly with executive functioning disorder, will provide attendees with compelling details. Jacob has autism and his mother, Cara Koscinski, MOT, OTR/L is a veteran occupational therapist, mother to two teenagers with autism, successful speaker, and author of several books. Working together, the two have developed several strategies and programs to facilitate success in adolescents who exhibit difficulty with emotional control, attention to task, flexibility, and goal development. The audience will be able to describe executive functioning disorder and its importance to success in daily living. Hearing directly from Jacob, the audience will gain insight into their own children/clients who are not able to verbalize such difficulties. This unique session allows both parents and professionals to benefit from the experiences of a teenager with autism and his own in-home occupational therapist/mother.
Presenters:
Cara N. Koscinski, MOT, OTR/L
The Pocket Occupational Therapist
Cara Koscinski, MOT, OTR/L
Cara, "The Pocket Occupational Therapist," is a veteran pediatric OT. She has authored several books and regularly provides continuing education to therapists and parents. Both of Cara’s children have autism. She specializes in Sensory Processing, social skills, behavior, mindfulness, and advocacy for individuals with autism.
Jacob A. Koscinski
The Pocket Occupational Therapist
Jacob is a loquacious and intelligent teen with autism. He has struggled with organization, social anxiety, depression, executive function disorder, and bullying. As a high school junior, Jacob has friends and plans on attending college. He has spoken at local and national conferences and advocates for teenagers with autism.