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Paediatrics

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Mosa Bluejay
A Member who has completed one or more OT CPD Courses, supporting their development

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Emotional Regulation

Hi all, I'm just looking into the Zones of Regulation Curriculum and I was wondering if anyone had any particular success stories with using this framework or any recommendations for other regulation frameworks.

For context, I'm currently working in a SEMH school with children aged roughly 7-12 years old.

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Hub Team
Hub Team
Mar 10

@Mosa Bluejay - We've collated a number of replies to your query - gathered from our Facebook page/group posts. Take a look below:


  • "My son is autistic and turning 10 this summer. He uses the Zones and is able to tell me what zone he is in. So I'd say that is a success!" - Crystal

  • "I've used Zones and Sensory Ladders. Both useful. At the moment I use Sensory Ladders; it works better with my interventions. I'm trained in Ayres' Sensory Integration WISE, which is working really well in my school OT role. With autism and SEMH children, 8 to 18 years old." - Kerry

  • "I have used it with higher functioning children with great success. It's pretty easy to implement and adaptable and can be done individually or in groups." - Leslie

  • "I use Zones in combination with other frameworks. It's a great starting space." - Molly

  • "I like this style of format. Thinking of something similar for young man with LD/ADHD." - Lorraine

  • "This is so outdated. Zones of Regulation (ZOR) is a template; our kids are definitely not templates! Modernising Approach: Newer iterations emphasise that all zones are 'okay', moving away from the sole goal of forcing students back to the 'Green Zone' to, instead, managing their feelings within any zone. Neurodiversity and Trauma-Informed: Updated materials and digital curricula now aim to be more inclusive of neurodivergent learners and trauma-informed practices." - Marsi

  • "Universally, red is known as an indicator of STOP. Even if the curriculum is not teaching red feelings are bad feelings, there is an implied 'STOP' that goes with anything in the red zone. Being overjoyed is in the red zone; I hope I never stop being overjoyed. I also hope I never stop being angry about important issues in the world, as a means of pursing justice." - Alex

  • "I love it, outdated or not! Our whole way of teaching is outdated. It is simple for teachers and parents to incorporate; anything more complicated will sit on a desk collecting dust. Once you take a quick look at the colour they are in, you can quickly look at the colour-coded activities! Simple is best… Life is crazy!" - Jenn

  • "Zones of Regulation is not an evidence-based practice for autistic individuals - there is insufficient empirical research. A widely used alternative is an Interoception-based Curriculum... I'm a fan of the South Australian Interoception Program (Ready to Learn Kit). This is a whole-school framework" - Kimberley

  • "I really don't like ZOR. Regulation needs to be body-based and should be taught through co-regulation. If it's too cortical, it missed the whole point, in my opinion." - Nancy

  • "Zones of Regulation is compliance-based and training children to meet other people's expectations, whilst their needs go unmet." - Laura

  • "Check out Kelly Mahler and her resources; she also has done research on this subject that you can read. I think though the biggest issue with the Zones of Regulation is that it teaches that they have to be in the green zone and the reality is that life isn't that simple." - Kerry

ChikaChika

OT vacancy

Hello all, I have a practice and I’m looking for freelance paediatric OT’s who would be available to start from September in various areas within London, UK. Ideally the person has capacity of up to 1 weekday a week which is where we would expect caseload to build up to. Work is very flexible with Β£45 per hour pay. If interested do email with your CV and expression of interest: hello.londonoccupationaltherapy@gmail.com

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Jude Cookson
Jude Cookson
Aug 15, 2025
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Would be a long commute for me from Widnes, CheshireπŸ€£πŸ˜‚

Jamie Grant
A Member who has contributed 1+ service/resource suggestion to the Service Directory

Directory Submitter

Author of least one Therapy Article, contributing to greater collective knowledge

Article Guest Writer

'Jumping off rocks: Why kids need outdoor play to thrive'


Jumping off rocks: Why kids need outdoor play to thrive (The Occupational Therapy Hub)

'Meet Angela Hanscom, an occupational therapist who has come to the conclusion that children need adventurous activities to develop a healthy sense of body and mind. Not only do children need way more movement than our sedentary society allows them, she suggests, but they need precisely the kinds of movements that make adults gasp, if they are going to thrive.Β Often brought into classrooms to solve behavioural issues, Hanscom realised that children today do not get enough free play, exploration and exercise to allow them to focus properly in school. She began using movement as therapy, helping kids heal through spinning too fast on the merry-go-round and flying too high on the swings.'



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Marga Grey
Marga Grey
Mar 27, 2025
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Yes! More outdoors play and less adult supervision! Think of one of your best memories from childhood that involved play... then consider, was it indoors or outdoors? Were adults supervising? I bet 99% of us will answer: outdoors without supervision. Why take this away from our kids? I often use this question when encouraging parents to give the kids "freedom" to explore and more.

Jamie Grant
A Member who has contributed 1+ service/resource suggestion to the Service Directory

Directory Submitter

Author of least one Therapy Article, contributing to greater collective knowledge

Article Guest Writer

Hey all. I've worked in a community paediatric disability team in the UK before my current job. This was great experience, supporting not only the children but of course their parents/families too. It was mainly focused around adapting the home environment and providing specialist equipment - to facilitate accessibility and reduce barriers to occupational engagement...


On a separate but related note, you can stream four paeds-related podcast series directly through the Hub's Podcast Portal. Take a look here:


Paediatrics - Podcast Portal (The Occupational Therapy Hub)
[Click screenshot to visit the Podcast Portal]

Happy listening!

Jamie

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