Dr. Cara Koscinski
Pediatric Occupational Therapist | Founder of Executive Function Institute
Helping professionals understand behavior through interoception and build executive function through the body.
A Body-First Approach to Understanding Behavior
For more than two decades, I have worked with children, families, therapists, and educators to look beyond behavior and understand what the body is communicating.
My work focuses on the connection between interoception, regulation, executive function, and participation. Rather than viewing behavior as the starting point, I help professionals identify the underlying access needs that shape a child’s ability to learn, engage, communicate, and adapt.
Explore My Work
My professional work now lives through the Executive Function Institute, where clinical frameworks, practical tools, and professional training come together in one place.
From Roots to Fruit, The Integrated Interoception Tree Model™
A clinical framework for understanding how internal body signals, sensory foundations, relationships, environments, and lived experiences shape regulation, behavior, and participation.
The Executive Function Express Program™
A visual, movement-based system that helps children build executive function through regulation, body awareness, planning, flexibility, and real-life participation.
About Cara
Hi! I’m Cara Koscinski, OTD, MOT, OTR/L, CAS. I have been an occupational therapist for nearly 30 years. During this time, I have worked as an educator, speaker, and author, with extensive experience supporting children across clinical, educational, and family-centered settings.
I founded a pediatric private practice and developed supportive groups designed to meet children where they are, helping them build regulation, connection, and participation in meaningful ways. This work continues to shape how I approach clinical reasoning, program development, and education. I am also the mother of an adult son who is neurodivergent, which brings a deeply personal lens to the work I do.
My work integrates occupational therapy, child development, sensory processing, interoception, executive function, and neuro-affirming practice. Across my books, courses, and clinical tools, my goal is to help professionals understand the “why” beneath behavior and support children with greater clarity, compassion, and clinical reasoning.
Books and Publications
My books have supported therapists, educators, and families in understanding sensory processing, interoception, regulation, and daily participation. The goal with every book is to give both the ‘why’ and the ‘how’ to empower you to use the ideas to immediately make a difference in your practice.
Featured Book
Now available in a revised and expanded second edition with updated research and practical, neuro-affirming tools.
Interoception helps us understand what is happening inside our bodies, supporting how we feel, regulate, and move through daily life.
Speaking, Training & Professional Education
I provide professional training for therapists, educators, schools, organizations, and clinical teams seeking a deeper understanding of interoception, regulation, executive function, and body-first support.
Training topics include interoception, executive function, behavior, movement/sensorimotor interventions, sensory regulation, neuro-affirming practice, clinical reasoning, and practical strategies for supporting children across environments.
Looking for Tools, Training, or Resources?
Visit the Executive Function Institute to explore my current frameworks, downloadable tools, professional resources, and training opportunities.