Regulation....why is my therapist always using that word?
Regulation or the state of being regulated has been a highly used descriptor despite it being a highly misunderstood concept. Regulation is the ability to change energy in the body to MATCH the energy level required for the activity/task that is being completed.
Are you bouncing off the walls in the trampoline park? Regulated.
Are you bouncing off the walls in the classroom during a math test? Dysregulated.
Nothing is as simple as the example above, but it gives us a starting point. To be regulated does not mean that you are ALWAYS calm, slow, and using a quiet voice….just as dysregulated doesn't mean that you’ve got loads of energy. Regulation is directly related to the context.
Children are not born knowing how to regulate themselves and as much as we want to be autonomous, even as adults we have a hard time self-regulating sometimes.
Regulation can be broken down in 2 stages: co-regulation and self-regulation. Co-regulation is when the child is regulated through a relationship with the caregiver where the caregiver is providing tools and input to meet the child’s needs. Self-regulation is when the child is able to independently match their energy levels/status to that required to the activity or task.
Activity ideas:
- Check out the energy meters provided on AutismLevelUp.com and ask yourself does your energy level meet the energy level the activity needs?
- Reflect on what skills you have taught your child to assist in their regulation.
- Write a list of 3 strategies that you, as the adult, use to regulate yourself to different acitivties.
By Emily Noldin, OTR @otandemily
