How Self-Regulation Affects a Child’s Physical, Mental, and Emotional Wellbeing
- Emotions, behavior, and the brain
- Impact on academics, social skills, relationships
- Correlation with sensory processing disorder, ADHD, autism, giftedness, anxiety, and related conditions
- Behavior and sensory assessment tools to pinpoint the underlying causes
- Limitations of research and potential risks
Sensory Processing Strategies
- Set kids up for success by meeting the underlying needs
- Hidden senses: vestibular, proprioceptive, interoceptive
- Characteristics of sensory modulation difficulties
- Create a sensory lifestyle
- Strategies across various settings for over-responsivity, under responsivity, and mixed responsiveness
- Develop sensory boxes, sensory schedules & plans, and sensory-friendly spaces
- Strategies for difficult routines such as meals and bedtime
ADHD & Autism Approaches
- Recruiting the higher-level areas of the brain
- Levels of autism
- Working with attention, emotions, and other executive functions
- Communication strategies that promote social engagement
- Strategies for picky eating and poor sleep habits
- Behavioral strategies for minimizing difficult behaviors and shaping desired behaviors/Positive Behavior Support approach
- Strategies for smooth transitions
- Calming Strategies
- Environmental strategies and adaptations
- Case studies highlighting why we see certain behaviors and reflecting successful intervention
Self-Management Strategies
- The key to ending power struggles
- Role play and video modeling techniques
- Communication strategies that provide emotional control
- Mindfulness and nervous system co-regulation strategies for kids and the adults interacting with them
- Visual schedules, social stories, visual timers
- Self-monitoring forms and apps
- Self-regulation toolkits/strategy lists
Tying It All Together
- One size does NOT fit all
- From assessment to intervention
- A systematic approach to strategy selection
- Case studies and group problem-solving