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
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
Assessment
Our pediatric occupational therapists evaluate emotional regulation through:
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Observing play and social interactions
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Assessing sensory processing patterns
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Evaluating developmental milestones
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Gathering information from parents and teachers
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Using age-appropriate standardized assessments
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Understanding how emotional challenges affect daily activities
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
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:
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Practical strategies you can implement during challenging moments
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Education about the "why" behind your child's emotional responses
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Regular check-ins to address your questions and concerns
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Resources to help you explain emotional regulation to other family members
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Validation and support for your own emotional experience as a parent
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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
