Document Type

Presentation

Publication Date

2025

Faculty Mentor

Amanda Giles

Abstract

Emotional dysregulation is defined as patterns of emotional experience or expression that interfere with goal-directed activity (Thompson 2019). Emotional development is built on the relationships created between a child and primary caregivers including parents, extended family, and/or teachers (Stern, 2010). This project supports the development of educational resources to implement social-emotional regulation tools with children. There were some resources at the site that already existed. These were updated and revamped, along with new resources created to address social-emotional dysregulation in children.

Two passionate pediatric occupational therapists based in the Charleston area created a self-regulation education program that is implemented by trained clinicians. Their mission is to equip caregivers, practitioners, teachers, and parents with a comprehensive curriculum, effective training, and practical tools to support children in developing self-regulation strategies (Lewis & Spann, n.d.).

This project aims to develop and improve educational resources to be used with the self-regulation education program created by my mentors. It involved facilitating the implementation of the resources created in classroom groups within the school system and the clinic setting. Support and feedback throughout the 14-weeks was provided by mentors and stakeholders. Adjustments were made to resources based on feedback received. This provided insight and helped to gage the effectiveness and sustainability of the resources created. These resources can be used within groups of various diagnosis or developmental levels. Different versions of some activities have been created for the use of older children vs. younger children. The resources cater in helping children become aware with their body senses. The body sensing resources center around: connection, movement, quality, and amount of sleep, and having healthy food and water each day.

Lewis, A., & Spann, H. (n.d.). Powerfully you. Powerfully You. Retrieved February 2025, from https://www.powerfullyyou.org

Thompson R. A. (2019). Emotion dysregulation: A theme in search of definition. Development and psychopathology, 31(3), 805–815. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954579419000282

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