New to the idea of Regulation? Let's talk about resources!

Understanding regulation can feel overwhelming, especially for newcomers. It is ironic that while we all use regulation skills, in every moment of every day, understanding the concept of regulation can take some time! The learning is worth it though! Developing regulation skills is one of the biggest tasks of child development and the ability to be regulated is necessary for learning, functioning, and for forming and being a part of relationships.

What is Regulation?

Another challenge is that the concept of "Regulation" is not always defined in the same way! If you search the internet for "regulation," you will find a variety of types of regulation, for example, "sensory regulation, " "emotional regulation," "behavioral regulation and/or "self-regulation."

In "The Regulation Plan" Resource and Application Guides, I used my OT and DIR® lens to define regulation through the reasons it is so important:

Regulation: A person's ability to be in a "just right" neurological arousal and emotional state that allows them to be available for engaging and positively interacting with other people, exploring their environment, and giving attention.

It's wordy and full of concepts, I know! Understanding the concept of "just right arousal state" takes us into the sensory processing world and understanding how a person processes sensory information, including their awareness of and sensitivity to sensory input. Once we understand this, especially as it is relevant to ourselves and for the child, we can support the ability to be available for giving attention to and interacting with others.

That is why I developed The Regulation Plan, Application Guide that accompanies The Resource Guide. The Application Guide applies all the components of regulation to YOU and to the Child in your life!

In addition the "The Regulation Plan", what other resources are available?

If you have already purchased "The Regulation Plan" you will find a list of Resources at the end of the resource guide. In this post, I want to highlight a few important resources.

Additional Resources for Regulation

icdl.com

icld.com is the online home for DIRfloortime®, and if you are new to the DIR® model, I STRONGLY encourage you to check it out! My whole career changed when I found DIR®, and the ways of relating to others truly becomes a way of life for those who learn the model. Understanding regulation through the concepts of sensory processing and with the DIR® lens is truly the "magic sauce!"

On icdl.com you can read all about the DIR® model and there is a section devoted to research and advocacy. Parents, professionals and caregivers can sign up for classes devoted to teaching the model. Parents and caregivers can also learn about an online parent network and virtual consultations.

Sensory Processing

Sensory Processing is a neurological process, and it is widely accepted that dysfunction can occur; however, Sensory Processing Disorder is not yet recognized as a standalone medical diagnosis. (Sensory Processing challenges can be however, be used as a treatment diagnosis). This is one of the reasons terminology can vary across the literature.

Two big researchers for Sensory Processing are Winnie Dunn and Lucy Jane Miller.

Winnie Dunn has published the "Sensory Processing Model" and her four basic patterns of sesnory processing are used in "The Regulation Plan" resource and application guides. Winnie Dunn has also published two standardized assessments, The Sensory Profile and The Sensory Profile 2, and the book "Living Sensationally, Understanding Your Senses."

Lucy Jane Miller is the founder of The STAR Institute for Sensory Processing, a research, treatment, and education center. sensoryhealth.org Here you will find a trusted source for learning more about sensory processing disorders and challenges.

I also want to recognize Julia Harpar and her website, therapeeds, for her important work researching and educating professionals on the science of sensory processing with a focus on the neurological processes. Julia's education classes helped me gain a better understanding of the neurology of sensory processing and of neurological arousal states, a big component of regulation!

*Please note there are some variances in sensory processing disorder types between Winnie Dunn and Lucy Jane Miller. If you have "The Regulation Plan" resource guide, I cover these variances in the Additional Reading Section found at the end.

Advocacy, DIR® and autism.

affect autism is a website dedicated to advocacy for the DIR model and for empowering parents and caregivers.

For kids

The book, Powerfully You: Learning to Notice your Body Sensations is a wonderful picture book for kids at the right developmental level. ("Meeting the child where they are developmentally is crucial to the DIR®  model and for supporting regulation!) That brings us to "how to choose the right resources"

How to Choose the Right Resources

There are many wonderful programs designed to support the child in learning about regulation. These include The Interoception Curriculum," "How Does your Engine Run" and "The Zones of Regulation."

These are all so great, for the child that is developmentally ready! The DIR® model recognizes foundational developmental skills, known as the Functional, Emotional, Develomental, Capacities (FEDCs for short!) The ability to understand these foundational capacities is very supportive to meeting the child where they are at so we can provide "the just right challenge!" You can learn so much more about this from IDCL and from "The Regulation Plan" guides!