Regulation is when the brain and body work together to meet the demands of the environment. Regulation tends to live in the realm of occupational therapy, but it can have a significant impact on the quality of connection and engagement in our SLP sessions.
Having an OT on the child’s team (or referring to one) is best practice if you have concerns about regulation and sensory processing. It’s also important for SLPs to have knowledge on how to identify regulation challenges and utilize strategies in their sessions to facilitate engagement, learning, and communication.
Supporting regulation skills in young children starts with co-regulation. This means supporting children by establishing trusting relationships, leading with connection, and providing individualized support for arousal and sensory processing.
Why should SLPs support regulation?
Co-regulation is an essential practice for SLPs because it supports:
Attuned Relationships- Co-regulation is integral to helping children feel safe, seen, soothed, and secure. Attuned and responsive relationships are the foundation for healthy brain development and early communication skills.
Optimal Arousal- Co-Regulation supports optimal arousal so that a child can sustain attention in order to participate in activities, engage with others, and communicate for a variety of purposes
Co-regulation also supports children with sensory differences who have difficulty recovering from adverse sensory experiences. This includes up to 95% of autistic children and 66% of children with ADHD. This is a huge need for our neurodivergent toddlers and preschoolers who tend to make up a large majority of our caseloads.
How Can SLPs Support Regulation?
Start by building trust. A relationship-based approach to therapy helps children feel connected and encouraged. Next, tailor your support to the individual needs of each child by:
Using observations to gather information on sensory and arousal needs
Modifying the environment to meet their needs
Implementing strategies to support their unique profile
Want to Learn More?
If you’re ready to deepen your understanding of regulation challenges and master the art of co-regulation in therapy, the Confidently Co-Regulating course is here for you. Led by an occupational therapist, this course provides the tools and strategies you need to create responsive, engaging therapy sessions that support attention, learning, and communication.
Together, we can create meaningful connections and help children thrive!
-Laura Brown, MA, CCC-SLP