emotional and sensory regulation

A woman and a young girl sitting at a wooden table, playing with colorful fidget toys. The woman has dark curly hair, and the girl has light brown hair, glasses, and is wearing a floral long-sleeve top. They are smiling and appear to be enjoying their time together in a cozy home setting with bookshelves and a television in the background.

At About You OT, we support children to understand and navigate their emotions and sensory experiences in ways that feel safe, empowering, and tailored to who they are. We don’t aim to “fix behaviours”—we focus on helping kids feel regulated, understood, and confident in expressing themselves.

What Is Regulation?

Regulation means feeling balanced—emotionally, physically, and mentally—so a child can participate in daily life, play, learn, and connect with others. Every child experiences the world differently, and that includes how they process sensations and emotions.

How We Help

Our occupational therapists work with children and families to:

  • Understand emotional responses and triggers

  • Develop tools for calming and self-regulation

  • Navigate sensory sensitivities (e.g. sound, touch, movement)

  • Build routines and environments that support nervous system regulation

  • Strengthen co-regulation and connection with caregivers

We use play, movement, sensory exploration, and connection with caregivers to support regulation in a fun, safe, and engaging way.

Our Neuroaffirming Approach

We honour each child’s unique sensory profile and emotional needs. We help children recognise what their bodies are telling them, and give them the tools to meet those needs.

When Support Might Help

  • Frequent meltdowns or shutdowns

  • Big emotional responses that feel hard to manage

  • Sensory sensitivities or seeking behaviours

  • Difficulty settling, transitioning, or coping with change

We work alongside families to create practical, supportive strategies that build emotional security from the inside out.