The Executive Function Program at the Jonathan Jaques Children’s Cancer Institute was designed to help children who face challenges in self-regulation and executive dysfunction, which is often a side effect of cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation or surgery.
What are Executive Functions?
Executive functions are a group of cognitive skills that determine a person’s ability to plan, remember, pay attention and multitask. Patients (especially children and adolescents) who undergo cancer treatments are at an increased risk for problems in how they think, learn, plan and solve problems.
These cognitive effects can appear months or even years after treatment; they can include:
- Forgetting things that are usually easily remembered
- Struggling to remember words or finish sentences
- Issues with focusing, concentrating or organizing thoughts
- Trouble with multitasking or switching between tasks
- Taking more time to finish things
For most patients, these problems are not caused by loss of skills but are often caused by a slower rate of new skill development. Children and teens with cognitive issues can still learn and develop new skills, but it may take them longer than their peers, and they may need special accommodations or additional help. Learning issues a patient had prior to their treatment may become more apparent.
How can the Executive Function Program help?
The Executive Function Program at the Jonathan Jaques Children Cancer Institute offers advanced treatments, support services and care, and critical research initiatives that improve the lives of patients with cancer or serious blood disorders to help them cope with the challenges of their diagnosis and through post-treatment.
The Program includes psychologists, social workers and child life specialists. Pediatric psychologists work directly with patients and their families to help them learn executive functioning strategies and adaptive skills in four areas:
- Self-care and medical management
- Social interaction
- Home living
- School participation
Through early intervention strategies and testing, such as neuropsychological evaluations, families can determine how their child thinks and behaves and begin the best treatment option for their condition. To help a patient improve their executive functioning, treatment options can include:
- Cognitive training and rehabilitation
- Speech therapy
- Behavioral therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Medications that can improve cognitive function
To learn more about the options available to your child, speak to your child’s care team.
Centers & Programs
Providing quality, compassionate care to children with cancer, sickle cell disease and other serious blood disorders through comprehensive psychological programs, research and clinical trails, a specially trained care team and survivorship programs.