top of page

Occupational Therapy and Emotional Regulation for Children
(Birth to 12 Years)

Building Emotional Resilience - Control - Adaptation

From overwhelming mornings to bedtime battles, we recognize your dedication and patience in supporting your child's emotional growth.

Common Emotional Regulation Challenges in Children

Difficulty transitioning between activities

Sensory sensitivities that trigger emotional responses

Trouble recovering from upset or disappointment

Challenges with delayed gratification

Difficulty adapting to changes in routine

Emotional responses that seem outsized to the situation

Struggles with self-calming

Signs That Your Child May Benefit from Occupational Therapy

Has frequent emotional meltdowns that seem more intense or longer-lasting than peers

Becomes easily overwhelmed in certain environments

Has difficulty transitioning between activities

Shows extreme resistance to changes in routine

Struggles to recover from emotional upset

Has trouble engaging in play or social activities due to emotional responses

Shows delayed development of age-appropriate self-regulation skills

Kid meditating beside a river and mountains.jpg

How Occupational Therapy Supports Emotional Regulation in Children

Occupational therapists use a developmental framework to address emotional regulation, recognizing that children's needs and abilities change as they grow. Our approach combines sensory integration, developmental theory, and play-based interventions.

Emotional Regulation We Assess & Treat
 

Toddler girl in child occupational therapy session doing sensory playful exercises with he

Assessment

Our pediatric occupational therapists evaluate emotional regulation through:

  • Observing play and social interactions

  • Assessing sensory processing patterns

  • Evaluating developmental milestones

  • Gathering information from parents and teachers

  • Using age-appropriate standardized assessments

  • Understanding how emotional challenges affect daily activities

Sensory integration therapy in paediatric rehabilitation.jpg

Treatment

Sensory strategies: Identifying sensory needs and implementing calming or alerting activities tailored to the child's developmental stage

Play-based approaches: Using developmentally appropriate play to practice emotional regulation in a natural context

Visual supports: Creating emotion charts, visual schedules, and social stories

Environmental modifications: Structuring the child's environment to support emotional success

Caregiver coaching: Teaching parents and teachers strategies to support emotional development

Image by krakenimages

Supporting Parents Through the Journey

We understand the daily journey of helping little ones manage big emotions. The meltdowns, the tears, the victories big and small—we're here to support your family through it all.

Our approach recognizes that parents are the true experts on their children and the most important influence in their lives. That's why parent support and education are central to our therapy process, not just an afterthought. We provide:

  • Practical strategies you can implement during challenging moments

  • Education about the "why" behind your child's emotional responses

  • Regular check-ins to address your questions and concerns

  • Resources to help you explain emotional regulation to other family members

  • Validation and support for your own emotional experience as a parent

  • Tools to build your confidence in supporting your child's emotional development

We believe that by empowering parents, we create lasting change that extends far beyond our therapy sessions.

No Wait Lists!
After school & Saturday Morning Appointments available

Experience the Difference ...

bottom of page