Date of Award
8-15-2026
Degree Name
Occupational Therapy, OTD
Document Type
Capstone
First Advisor
Amanda Mohler
Subject Categories
Medicine and Health Sciences | Occupational Therapy | Rehabilitation and Therapy
Abstract
Outdoor settings present unpredictable challenges that require children to simultaneously use inhibitory control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility in ways that mirror real-world contexts. This continuous adaptation to changing environmental demands supports the generalization of skills across settings. Despite this potential, no nature-based pediatric occupational therapy program previously existed to effectively address executive function deficits. To address this gap, the Nature Explorers Program was developed, consisting of a theoretical foundation and practical application. The Nature-Based Executive Function Frame of Reference (NBEF) was developed to guide the assessment and treatment of executive function within a nature-based setting, and the Nature Explorers Camp Manual was developed to implement the NBEF into structured camp sessions. Overall, the Nature Explorers Program equips nature-based pediatric occupational therapists with the resources needed to support executive function development in a consistent, theoretically-grounded manner.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
Recommended Citation
Mahan, Morgan, "Addressing Pediatric Executive Function Through Nature-Based Occupational Therapy in Central Ohio" (2026). Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones. 89.
https://arch.astate.edu/nhp-ot-cap/89
