#63 Behaviour, Brain, and Beyond: Supporting Executive Function in Kids

This episode continues our deep dive into executive function—what it looks like in children, why it matters, and how we can support it through speech pathology and exercise physiology. Lizzy and Emily explore how executive function underpins behaviour, learning, and regulation, and unpack how to differentiate between executive function challenges and language difficulties in therapy. You'll hear real-life clinical reasoning, case examples (including Lizzy’s own kids!), and evidence-backed strategies to help identify and support executive function skills like working memory, impulse control, cognitive flexibility, and planning. Whether you're a parent, educator, or allied health professional, this episode is packed with practical ways to build executive function into therapy and everyday life. What You’ll Learn: What executive function really is and why it’s central to child development The link between executive function and behaviour, attention, and communication How to differentiate language delays from executive function challenges Why movement-based interventions (like Pilates and tennis) can boost brain development Practical ways to embed executive function strategies into therapy sessions How to model problem solving and planning at home or in therapy Simple assessment tools to identify working memory and impulse control differences Why executive function development looks different in every child (and isn’t always disruptive!) Tools & Resources Mentioned: 2025 Research Study on Executive Function and Receptive Language Stay Connected with Move.Talk.Thrive If this episode helped shift your perspective or gave you a new tool for your parenting or professional practice, share it with someone else who’d benefit from it. Follow us on Instagram: @movetalkthrive Watch on YouTube: Move.Talk.Thrive Connect With Us Lizzy Dawson Website: www.lizziedawson.com.au Instagram: @lizzydawson_ Emily Mackie Website: www.emilymackie.com.au Instagram: @emilymackie.speechie