How Occupational Therapy can facilitate emotional regulation

Big feelings are a normal part of childhood—but for some children, those feelings can feel overwhelming and hard to manage. Emotional dysregulation may show up as frequent meltdowns, intense reactions to small challenges, difficulty calming down, or trouble transitioning between activities. In today's post, we will explore how Occupational therapy (OT) can play a meaningful role in helping children build the skills they need to feel more regulated, confident, and connected.

What Is Emotional Dysregulation?

Emotional dysregulation means having a hard time understanding, expressing, or managing emotions in a way that feels manageable. A child who is dysregulated may:

• Have big reactions that feel out of proportion to the situation

• Struggle to calm their body once upset

• Become overwhelmed by noise, movement, or changes in routine

• Have difficulty shifting from one activity to another

It’s important to remember: these behaviors are not intentional or “bad behavior.” They are often a sign that a child’s nervous system is having trouble processing what’s happening around them.

How Occupational Therapy Supports Emotional Regulation

Occupational therapists look at the whole child—their sensory system, daily routines, environment, and relationships—to understand what’s making regulation hard and what supports can help.

1. Supporting the Sensory System

Many children who struggle with emotional regulation also have sensory processing differences. OT helps identify how a child responds to sensory input like movement, sound, touch, or visual information. Therapy may include:

• Movement activities to help the body feel calm and organized

• Sensory tools to support focus and regulation

• Helping families understand what sensory input helps or overwhelms their child

  
  

2. Building Body Awareness

Children can’t manage emotions if they don’t yet recognize what’s happening in their bodies. OT helps children:

• Notice early signs of feeling upset or overwhelmed

• Learn the connection between body signals and emotions

• Practice strategies to respond before emotions escalate

  
  

3. Teaching Regulation Tools (in a Playful Way)

Rather than telling a child to “calm down,” OT teaches how to calm down through play-based, developmentally appropriate activities. This might include:

• Breathing and movement strategies

• Heavy work or calming activities

• Visual supports or routines that help children feel safe and prepared

  
  

4. Supporting Daily Routines and Transitions

Daily routines—getting dressed, mealtime, school transitions, bedtime—can be especially challenging for children with emotional dysregulation. OT helps families:

• Adjust routines to reduce stress

• Create predictable, supportive transitions

• Set up environments that promote success

  
  

5. Partnering with Parents and Caregivers

Emotional regulation doesn’t happen only in the therapy room. OT focuses on empowering parents and caregivers with:

• A better understanding of their child’s nervous system

• Practical strategies that fit naturally into daily life

• Supportive, relationship-based approaches to big emotions

  
  

What Progress Can Look Like

With the right supports, children may begin to:

• Recover more quickly after becoming upset

• Use tools or strategies with adult support

• Feel more confident navigating daily challenges

• Experience fewer emotional “explosions” over time

  
  

Progress is not about eliminating emotions—it’s about helping children feel safe, understood, and capable of managing them.