Towards a better understanding of self-regulation and BEST strategies for children and youth

Our ability to self-regulate is key in supporting our relationship with others and in helping us participate safely and effectively in meaningful daily activities (Binns, 2019). Occupational therapy professionals can utilize body, emotional, sensory, and thinking (BEST) strategies to support self-regulation in children and youth.

Course overview 

This online course will equip occupational therapy professionals and students with a better understanding of self-regulation and strategies to support the self-regulation of children and youth using the presenter’s evidence-based BEST (Body, Emotional, Sensory and Thinking) strategies framework.  This two-part online course includes a combination of videos, a case study, reflection questions, a knowledge quiz, resources, and discussion boards covering the following topics: 

• Part 1 (approximately 2 hours): Defining self-regulation and Identifying domains that contribute to self-regulation and their relationship to behaviours. Examining key neurobiological underpinnings of stressed behaviours and the need to consider these when addressing challenging and/or interfering behaviours. Practical examples as to how the concepts apply to clinical practice particularly in the school setting will be embedded throughout the presentation. 
• Part 2 (approximately 2 hours): Key BEST (Body, Emotional, Sensory and Thinking) strategies for self-regulation for children and youth. Practical examples as to how each strategy applies to clinical practice will be provided throughout the presentation. 

Learning objectives 

By the end of this online course, you will be able to:

1. Define self-regulation.
2. Identify domains that contribute to dysregulation.
3. Understand how a person's unique neurobiology (developing brain, responses to stress, and sensory profile) affect their abilities to regulate themselves.
4. Understand the relationship between self-regulation and behaviours.
5. Implement key BEST (Body, Emotional, Sensory and Thinking) strategies to support the self-regulation of children and youth.

Target audience 

This online course is ideal for occupational therapy professionals (including occupational therapist clinicians, educators, and researchers; occupational therapist assistants) and students in occupational therapy or OTA/PTA programs who wish to increase their understanding of self-regulation and their knowledge of strategies to support the self-regulation of children and youth.

Experience level 

Beginner (0-2 years of experience in this specific practice area)

Client age groups 

Young children (0-4 years old), Children (5-12 years old), Adolescents (13-19 years old)

Areas of practice 

Autism/Neurodiversity, Caregiver/Family Education, Developmental Disability, Occupational Therapist Assistants, Pediatrics, Sensory Integration & Processing

Time commitment 

Approximately 4 hours 

Language

English

Presenter 

Moira Peña, BScOT, MOT, OT Reg. (Ont.), is an occupational therapist who is passionate about equipping occupational therapy practitioners and other health care and education professionals with neurodiversity-affirming and strengths-based practice knowledge & skills that best support autistic people. Moira is the owner of Moira Peña Sensory Workshops and also works at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital in Toronto, Ontario with children and youth on the autism spectrum.  Moira is an Expert Hub Team member of the ECHO Ontario Autism Program which aims to further develop paediatricians’, school psychologists’, teachers’ & allied health professionals’ skills to screen, diagnose (if applicable) and best address the needs of autistic children and their families. Moira holds credentials from the STAR (Sensory Therapies and Research) Institute for Sensory Processing and is a certified Solution-Focused Healthcare Facilitator & Coach (C-SFHCF). She is a published author and researcher in The Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders and is the creator & host of Holland Bloorview’s Autism Summit. Moira is also an Adjunct Lecturer in the Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy at the University of Toronto.