Helpful supports for emotional regulation

According to the National Autistic Society, there are some key strategies that are helpful for managing emotional regulation for neurodivergent people:

  • Structure and routine – as much as possible, building in a predictable structure and routine will reduce anxiety.
  • Prepare for changes – when changes do occur, making a plan and having a plan B ready in advance will help to reduce anxiety also.
  • Adjust expectations – consider if demands on the individual need to be adjusted and reduce demands where necessary.
  • Use sensory tools – consider the individual’s sensory profile and encourage use of sensory tools where appropriate, for example, headphones, fidget toys. Consider making changes to the environment to support individual sensory processing differences, for example, seating positions, lighting levels.  See Autism and Sensory Processing at autism.org.uk for more information.
  • Engage in calming activities – encourage familiar activities to help the person feel regulated.
  • Recognize signs early – look for early warning signs of dysregulation so that strategies can be offered early before the individual has tipped over into full dysregulation, as at this point, they will be unable to respond to communication from others. The person’s family will be best placed to advise on early signs of dysregulation.

Want to know more?

There is an evidence based programme called ‘The Zones of Regulation’ which aims to build emotional regulation and teach practical strategies too.  It was developed by OT Leah Kuypers and is based around creating a shared language for talking about emotions.

It refers to blue, green, yellow and red zones which represent different states of emotional regulation.  Green is considered to be the desirable zone where the individual is relaxed, happy and ready to attend and learn.  Blue refers to a state of low energy, e.g. feeling tired, ill, sad, yellow refers to a state of heightened alertness e.g.feeling nervous/frustrated/excited and red represents overwhelming emotions e.g. anger, panic.

Each individual is supported to recognize what behaviours they show in each zone and identify different strategies to help them when they are in each zone.

For more information, please visit the website www.zonesofregulation.com