Hybrid Effectiveness-Implementation Trial of an Executive Functioning Intervention for Children's Mental Health Services

Unstuck and on Target (Unstuck; Cannon et al., 2021) is a cognitive-behavioral, intervention designed to be feasibly delivered by teachers and school staff in the elementary school setting. It was adapted for and pilot-tested in outpatient mental health. Unstuck targets key executive functions, including flexibility, goal-setting, planning, and coping. Sessions include prescribed content and activities to facilitate guided practice and home extension activities to aid generalization beyond the therapeutic session. It includes both child- and caregiver-directed strategies. It has been shown effective for youth with autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Unified Protocol for Children is a transdiagnostic, cognitive-behaviorally based treatment targeting shared core dysfunctions underlying emotional disorders, including distress intolerance and emotional dysregulation. It was developed by integrating cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness strategies and includes prescribed activities, in-vivo experiments, and home-extension components to promote generalization. It includes both child- and caregiver-directed strategies. In addition to its effectiveness for youth with emotional disorders, recent work supports its efficacy for youth with additional non-emotional disorders (e.g., externalizing challenges, irritability).