Train Your Brain

The Train Your Brain (TYB) lab (formally known as Deafness OT Support) aims to design, implement and evaluate executive functioning (EF) support programs for children and adolescents. The TYB program is currently implemented as a summer camp (one-week, half-day sessions) for children ages 9-16 as well as an after-school program (eight, one-hour sessions throughout the fall semester). In the TYB lab, students will have the opportunity for both scholarly explorations of executive functioning skills as well as clinical application of EF support strategies.

General Description of Student Activities

In the summer semester, students will be introduced to EF assessment, support, diagnosis, and functional cognitive barriers that are associated with EF skills and may also have the opportunity to volunteer with the summer camp. During the fall semester, students will work together to plan and implement the TYB after-school program which runs at a local site-based program for students who are d/Deaf and hard of hearing (no knowledge of a visual language such as American Sign Language) is required). On top of these experiences, each student will take the lead on a scholarly project designed to further the development of the TYB program. Past projects have included qualitative and quantitative data collection, program design and evaluation, manualization of lesson plans, and development and dissemination of professional development materials for teachers regarding EF skills in the classroom.

Examples of Projects

Executive Functioning Program Evaluation for Students Who Are d/Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing
The Development and Dissemination of Educational Modules for Teachers of the d/Deaf to Support Students' Executive Functioning
Participation in Occupations of School-Aged Children Who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing: A Case Comparison
A Qualitative Analysis of the Perspectives of St. Louis Teachers of the Deaf on Student Executive Functioning
The Development of an After-School Executive Function Support Program and Curriculum Manual