Tag Archives: self-regulation

Self-regulation includes managing emotions, sensory input, and behavior. Techniques and tools help children maintain focus and calmness, supporting learning readiness in structured environments.

Advanced Treatment Strategies for Youth with Complex Behavior

Events & Conferences, Sensory, Social Emotional Learning, Therapist Resources, , , , ,
Speaker John Pagano, PhD, OTR/L who present Advanced Treatment Strategies for Youth with Complex Behavioral Challenges

On November 16, John Pagano, PhD, OTR/L presented his Therapro Saturday Seminar, Advanced Treatment Strategies for Youth with Complex Behavioral Challenges, to a captivated audience. The energy in the room was palpable throughout the two hour talk. Dr. Pagano ‘s passion was evident as he discussed assessing and treating children and adolescents who have complex behavioral disorders. He shared clinical examples and anecdotes to highlight his talk, peppered with humor. Leading the audience through many experiential activities provided them with examples of practical tools to use with individuals and groups.

John is an occupational therapist who practices at an adolescent psychiatric hospital and school. He is a certified instructor of Positive Behavioral Support and Movement Based Learning Strategies. His years of experience include working in various settings including adolescent juvenile detention, psychiatric hospital, adolescent group home, and in special needs, regular education and preschool classrooms. He is the author of the recently published book, FAB: Functionally Alert Behavior Strategies: Integrated Behavioral, Developmental, Sensory, Mindfulness & Massage Treatment.

John discussed the importance of setting functional behavioral goals when providing OT, PT, and Speech/Language therapies for students with complex behavioral disorders. He frequently reiterated the value of a team approach, including ABA specialists, to working with this population.

FAB Strategies® are Dr. Pagano’s evidence-based, practical strategies that use “clinical reasoning based on current clinical research and neurology to develop the individualized strategies needed to address complex behavioral challenges.” John reviewed Sensory Processing Disorders, how they interact, and how to treat them using sensory based interventions. In his discussion of Sensory Modulation Disorders, John stated that his research and experience have shown that the olfactory sense is a powerful teaching tool for those with ASD and for those who have experienced trauma. He has found that pairing a scent is very effective for achieving the desired Quiet Alert state of arousal. He advocated using materials like Scented Dough and scented markers as treatment materials.

John disclosed that research supports that mindfulness strategies are an effective and powerful treatment methodology for improving special needs students’ behavior and executive functioning. John led the group in breathing and movement activities that he uses with his students that also increase body awareness. John taught the group a number of quick, easy, and practical strategies to circumvent problem behaviors. For example, his FAB Turtle Strategy involves 4 steps: 1) Notice environmental & body triggers – STOP 2) Go to the sensory coping area 3) Do your individual coping strategy 4) Later problem solve with help. Fidgets like Loopeez, Boinks, Panic Pete, and Theraband were mentioned as some of John’s favorites for calming.

Dr. Pagano is a dynamic presenter who generously shared resources and evidence-based, practical treatment strategies for working with children and adolescents who have complex behavioral challenges. He integrates all that he has learned in his years of experience with current research so adeptly!! Attendees left this seminar with ideas they could put to use immediately in their practice.

Take a look at some of the overwhelmingly positive comments from those who attended John’s seminar:

“I left full of simple/functional strategies to try with my students, all ages. John is simply AMAZING!!!” – Christie H, Speech/Language Pathologist

“John is an excellent speaker who was very helpful, evidence based, and offered suggestions for treatment.” – Renee S., Physical Therapist

“Offered many resources & activities that can be used immediately in my practice & therapy.” – Rose O, Occupational Therapist

“John’s sense of humor made this important topic fun. Many teachers & therapists are struggling in the classroom. These are strategies that can be implemented Monday. In addition, his strategies come from evidence based research of strategies/techniques that help our students make progress.” – Jennifer H, Occupational Therapist

Thank you, John!

Filomena Connor, OT, MS, OTR
November 16, 2019

Practical and Effective Strategies to Improve Self-Regulation: Recap

Events & Conferences, Sensory Regulation, , ,

Jocelynn Wallach, MS, OTR/L‘s September 15th Saturday Seminar entitled: Practical and Effective Strategies to Improve Self-Regulation and Executive Function Skills, was a two hour presentation filled with useful and immediately applicable information. She shared valuable insights and information with the 51 captivated attendees!

With a wealth of over 40 years of pediatric experience in her distinguished career, Jocelynn provides innovative occupational therapy services for children in the Westwood, MA Public School System. In addition to her school-based practice, Jocelynn manages her private practice, Capable Hands and Associates. In addition, she has lectured nation-wide, taught college level courses, and provides training sessions and professional development courses for parents, therapists, instructional aides, and therapists in a variety of settings.

Jocelynn’s learning objectives for her seminar included reviewing the meaning of self-regulation and executive function skills based on the work of A. Jean Ayres, Lucy Jane Miller, Peg Dawson, and Richard Guare. Based on their body of work, she concludes that “self-regulation, which is the end result of well developed sensory integration and effective sensory processing, is the basis upon which higher level executive function skills can develop.”

Jocelynn provided an excellent review of neurological function to illuminate the relationship between self-regulation and executive function skills. She then proceeded to highlight the developmental stages of self-regulation and executive functioning from infancy through adolescence. She discussed “red flag” behaviors that might be observed when a sensory processing disorder and/or executive function dysfunction is present. The following website was recommended to help parents and school personnel have a better understanding of learning processes, insights into difficulties, and strategies for responding: Misunderstood Minds.

To make classrooms and home more conducive to learning, Jocelynn provided a number of useful recommendations with guidelines for calming and guidelines for alerting. She advocated for examining the child’s environment closely and the importance of trying out different environmental changes to determine their effectiveness. For example, simple seating adaptations can make a world of difference. Jocelynn shared her “Seating Options Data Collection” system to help determine what works and what does not work for a particular student.

Activities and apps for helping students improve executive function skills in areas of planning, organization, time management, task initiation, etc. were discussed. Several examples of useful apps she uses include: for self regulation – Pocket Pond, Fireworks, Pot Smash – Zen; for sustained attention – Monster Hunt, SIMON – I Say Pro, Eye Frenzy; and for planning – Voice Thread, Sticky Notes, Doodle Buddy. Some materials she suggested for therapeutic motor breaks include: Bungee Jumper, Thera-band activities, Rapper Snappers, Safety Grip Scooter Board, Drive Thru Menus, and How Does Your Engine Run?, to name just a few!

Jocelynn is a skilled and generous presenter who is very knowledgeable, as evidenced by a rapt and engaged audience. She has developed practical strategies, activities, and data collection methods to improve self-regulation and executive function skills that are designed to ensure student school success.

Attendees provided extremely positive feedback about Jocelynn’s seminar:

“Jocelynn is a great presenter and shared information that is relevant to our daily OT sessions, along with how to support teachers and provide strategies for class use!” – Amy H., Occupational Therapist

“A lot of tools, examples, and resources provided. Love the apps shown during the seminar!” – Vanessa C., Occupational Therapy Grad Student

“Very informative. Lots of suggestions. A review and a new way to look at things. Got my brain thinking. Good presentation.” – Anonymous, Teacher

“It was very comprehensive! Loved it!” – Patricia O., COTA

“Thank you so much for sharing! Just so fantastic. Wonderful, inspiring; gave me realistic ideas to hit the ground running. Thank you. So excited to share this with teachers & staff I work with!” – Tara G., Occupational Therapist

Thank you, Jocelynn!

Filomena Connor, MS, OTR/L
September 15, 2018

Brain Gym: Using the Figure Eight in OT

Motor & Movement, Sensory, , , ,

I came across Educational Kinesiology in the early 1990s when searching for tools or techniques to help heal from a chronic illness. Little did I know that it would become an integral part of much of my OT practice. I began with Brain Gym I and II and loved the fact that the two trainers in South Africa were experienced occupational therapists trained in both SI and NDT.

Brain Gym is wonderful for assisting with goal setting, whole brain learning, stress release, and re-patterning. Although there is a specific process to follow, many of the exercises are both beneficial and transferable into a regular OT session. One that I use a lot is the Lazy 8 – a figure eight that lies on its side like the infinity sign.

What is the Brain Gym figure eight used for?

In Brain Gym terms, the Lazy 8 turns on or activates the eyes while also crossing the mid-line.

It can be used to improve ocular motor function, which assists with reading, and crossing the mid-line improves integration between the two hemispheres of the brain.

The repeated action of the Lazy 8 is also very calming. It can be used in several different formats – using the eyes, drawing the figure of 8 in the appropriate orientation, and in motion, as we shall see shortly.

The Lazy 8 can also be carried out as a motor activity, having the client walk, skip, or run around a figure eight. I love to use two hoops placed side by side on the floor to provide a visual cue. Varying the space between the hoops elongates or enlarges the figure eight. Make it more fun by having the client clap while moving around the figure of eight in time to music.

For added motor integration, combine the cross crawl with the Lazy 8. This often has to be carried out in stages:

  • Having the client carry out their cross crawl while standing until they are sufficiently at ease with the exercise
  • Upgrade to carrying out the cross crawl while walking on a straight line
  • Upgrade further to doing cross crawls while walking a figure eight

When I first began using components of Brain Gym in my treatment sessions, I would often make up my own worksheets. I am delighted to discover that Therapro has a range of products that bring the figure eight into practice for all occupational therapists. Two examples include:

The development of these tools shows how Brain Gym is becoming accepted as a beneficial modality to use within OT. It also provides an added level of professionalism, which is important for anyone who is skeptical of either how Brain Gym combines with OT or the extent to which OT itself is a recognized profession.

Once clients are familiar with the Lazy 8 through either Trace the 8s or Race the 8s, introducing the Alphabet 8 helps improve their motor memory. The Alphabet 8 incorporates lower-case letters with the Lazy 8 and is wonderful as a pre-writing activity to enhance work to meet writing goals. It’s designed for English letters but, with some creativity and practice, cursive letters for Hebrew can also be used. Note, I am not sufficiently familiar with other alphabets to know how well they can be used in the Alphabet 8.

I mentioned earlier the benefit of improving a sense of calm. The rhythmic movement of drawing or moving in the Brain Gym figure eight pattern is a wonderful addition to your toolbox for assisting clients in need of stress management and improving relaxation.

Guest Blogger: Shoshanah Shear

Occupational Therapist, healing facilitator, certified infant massage instructor, freelance writer, author of “Healing Your Life Through Activity – An Occupational Therapist’s Story” and co-author of “Tuvia Finds His Freedom”.