About this resource
Regulation is easier with the right supports. This toolbox helps families plan calming and alerting activities, set up a calm space, build movement into daily routines and plan how to respond when a child is overwhelmed, based on the child's preferences.
Purpose
To help families build regulation supports into home life.
Who it is for
Primary profession: Occupational therapists. Also relevant for educators and school support staff, positive behaviour support practitioners.
Client or participant group: Families of children who find regulation difficult.
Practice setting: Home, with occupational therapy input.
Suggested uses
- Home programs
- Following OT assessment
- Families of children with sensory or regulation needs
- School and home consistency
Instructions for practitioners
- Base activities on the child's sensory preferences.
- Plan for both calming and alerting needs.
- Teach co-regulation strategies.
- Review with the family.
Instructions for clients or participants
- Choose activities your child enjoys.
- Set up a calm space.
- Use the plan when your child is overwhelmed.
Accessibility considerations
Use visuals for children.
Scope and limitations
A planning tool. It does not replace individual occupational therapy assessment.
Research basis
Children learn to self-regulate through warm, responsive co-regulation from adults and predictable environments. Evidence for sensory-based interventions is limited and mixed; this resource is for understanding a person's sensory preferences and adjusting environments, not a sensory treatment.
- Case-Smith, J., Weaver, L. L., & Fristad, M. A. (2015). A systematic review of sensory processing interventions for children with autism spectrum disorders. Autism, 19(2), 133–148. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361313517762
- Murray, D. W., Rosanbalm, K., Christopoulos, C., & Hamoudi, A. (2015). Self-regulation and toxic stress: Foundations for understanding self-regulation from an applied developmental perspective (OPRE Report 2015-21). Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation, US Department of Health and Human Services. https://acf.gov/opre/report/self-regulation-and-toxic-stress-foundations-understanding-self-regulation-applied
What is included
A 2-page printable A4 PDF, including a practitioner notes page with the research basis (version 1.0).
Originality
Original Practitioner Plus content: wording, activity structure, layout and icons were created for this resource. No third-party worksheets, illustrations or text were reproduced.
