Social and Emotional Regulation – How Occupational Therapy Can Support Behaviour, Relationships, and Resilience
- claire2876
- Jul 23
- 3 min read
Being able to understand and manage our emotions, build friendships, and cope with challenges is critical to living a healthy and fulfilling life. These skills don’t always come naturally—especially for children and young people with developmental, neurological, or emotional challenges. That’s where occupational therapy can help.
Occupational therapists (OTs) are uniquely placed to support social skills, emotional regulation, and behavioural self-control across home, school, and community settings. Whether a child struggles with outbursts, anxiety, or friendships—or a teen or adult finds it hard to cope with change or communicate their needs—occupational therapy offers evidence-based, individualised support.
In this blog, we’ll explore what social and emotional regulation is, how OTs assess and support it, common challenges seen in children and teens, and practical tips families can try at home.
What Is Social and Emotional Regulation?
Emotional regulation is the ability to recognise, understand, and manage one’s emotions—especially in response to stress, frustration, excitement, or disappointment.
Social regulation involves being able to interact appropriately with others—sharing, taking turns, resolving conflicts, recognising others’ feelings, and adapting behaviour to suit the setting (e.g., classroom vs playground).
These skills begin developing early in life and continue to grow into adulthood. Delays or difficulties in these areas may show up as:
Meltdowns or shutdowns
Defiance or opposition
Avoidance of social situations
Difficulty with friendships or teamwork
Inflexibility or trouble with transitions
Low self-esteem or anxiety
How Occupational Therapists Support Social and Emotional Skills
OTs take a wholistic and strengths-based approach, recognising that behaviour is often a communication of unmet needs. They work with individuals and families to identify sensory, cognitive, emotional, or environmental factors impacting behaviour and connection.
OT Assessments May Explore:
Sensory processing differences
Executive functioning (impulse control, planning, memory)
Emotional awareness and self-reflection
Communication and social pragmatics
Anxiety triggers and stress responses
Family routines and environmental setup
OTs often work in collaboration with psychologists, speech pathologists, teachers, and families to create consistent, safe, and predictable environments for emotional learning.
Common Tools and Frameworks Used by OTs
Zones of Regulation
A visual and structured program that helps individuals identify their emotional “zone” (e.g., Blue = tired/sad, Red = angry/loss of control), and select tools to self-regulate. Widely used in schools and clinics.
Social Stories
Social stories are personalised short narratives that teach expected behaviours or help prepare for unfamiliar situations.
The Alert Program (“How Does Your Engine Run?”)
Uses a car engine metaphor to help children learn about their sensory and arousal states—and how to get into a “just right” zone.
Sensory Diets
Customised plans with calming or alerting sensory activities tailored to each individual’s nervous system needs (e.g. swinging, deep pressure, fidget tools).
Play-Based Therapy
OTs use structured and unstructured play to teach turn-taking, sharing, flexibility, and problem-solving.
Signs Your Child Might Benefit from OT Support
Has intense emotional outbursts or “meltdowns”
Struggles to calm down after becoming upset
Shows aggression, avoidance, or withdrawal in social settings
Can’t manage changes in routine or transitions
Has difficulty recognising or naming feelings
Struggles to play or engage appropriately with peers
Has sensory sensitivities that affect emotional regulation (e.g. noise, clothing, food textures)
Emotional Regulation Tips for Parents and Caregivers
💬 Name the Emotion
Use “name it to tame it” strategies: “You’re feeling really frustrated because you wanted to keep playing.”
🧘♀️ Model Calm Behaviour
Children learn how to regulate by watching how adults respond. Narrate your own coping strategies.
📊 Use Visual Supports
Visual schedules, emotion thermometers, and “first-then” boards help reduce anxiety and increase understanding.
🤲 Create a Calm-Down Kit
Include items like headphones, chew toys, calming visuals, soft toys, or sensory bottles.
🔄 Stick to Predictable Routines
Consistency helps reduce anxiety and emotional overload. Prepare your child in advance for changes.
🎯 Practice Regulation During Calm Moments
Don’t wait until a meltdown—practice breathing, sensory tools, or role-play during quiet times.
Teenagers and Emotional Regulation
Adolescents face additional challenges: peer pressure, increased independence, hormonal changes, and academic stress. OT support for teens may include:
Time management and planning
Coping strategies for anxiety
Assertive communication skills
Managing school or social pressures
Transitioning into employment or adult roles
Group therapy, individual sessions, or coaching-based OT models may be helpful for this age group.
Supporting Adults with Regulation Challenges
Adults living with ADHD, autism, trauma history, or mental health conditions can benefit from OT strategies for emotional regulation, such as:
Structuring their day for success
Identifying personal triggers and strategies
Setting healthy boundaries
Sensory and mindfulness-based interventions
Ready to Support Your Child’s Emotional and Social Development?
Our OTs at South Coast Therapy & SupportGroup are passionate about helping children, teens, and adults build the tools they need to navigate the world with confidence and connection. Therapy is fun, compassionate, and individualised to each client’s goals.
We welcome families seeking NDIS-funded support, private clients, or school referrals.
