Enhancing Pediatric Outpatient Occupational TherapyThrough Self-Regulation Interventions

Abstract

Enhancing Pediatric Outpatient Occupational Therapy  Through Self-Regulation Interventions Self-regulation is defined as the understanding, acceptance, and regulation of emotional responses necessary for successful adaptation to one’s psychosocial environment, goal achievement, and overall mental health (Alarcón-Espinoza et al., 2022). This project was conducted in collaboration with two Charleston based mentors who developed a self-regulation education program with the mission to empower children and their caregivers through research-informed, trauma-sensitive strategies. The program emphasizes interoception, mindful awareness, and compassionate connection to support children in understanding their sensory needs and fostering emotional regulation. The purpose of this project was to expand pediatric self-regulation resources available to clinicians and increase their confidence by developing an evidence-based activity resource for use in therapeutic settings. This project involved the creation of a collection of over 20 self-regulation activities aligned with key concepts, including interoceptive awareness, self-compassion, connection, and mindfulness. These activities were implemented and trialed over a 14-week period in both outpatient and school-based pediatric settings. Ongoing feedback was obtained from mentors and stakeholders throughout the implementation process. Resources were revised based on this feedback to improve clinical effectiveness, usability, and sustainability. The final product was adapted to support a wide range of pediatric ages, settings, and group formats, providing clinicians with a comprehensive and flexible toolkit of evidence-based interventions to support the development of self-regulation skills in children. References Alarcón-Espinoza, M., Sanduvete-Chaves, S., Anguera, M. T., Samper García, P., & Chacón-Moscoso, S. (2022). Emotional self-regulation in everyday life: A systematic review. Frontiers Media SA. 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.88475