Today Emily Kircher-Morris welcomes Leah Kuypers, developer of the Zones of Regulation framework, to discuss self-regulation skills. They talk about the importance of emotional awareness, the practical applications of the framework in educational settings, and how it provides a common language for expressing feelings. Leah shares insights from her experience as an occupational therapist and educator, including the impact of the framework on students' ability to communicate their emotions and navigate their environments effectively. They discuss the need to move away from labeling emotions as good or bad, and explore practical strategies for implementing self-regulation tools in educational settings.

TAKEAWAYS

• Self-regulation challenges significantly impact students' well-being and success.

• The Zones of Regulation framework provides a common language for expressing feelings.

• All zones are valid; there are no good or bad zones.

• Visual supports can help neurodivergent students communicate their feelings.

• The framework is designed to foster emotional intelligence and self-awareness.

• Teaching self-regulation skills can reduce reliance on punitive measures.

• The framework can be adapted for various age groups and needs.

• Emotional intelligence can be difficult to articulate, even for older students.

• Co-regulation with adults can help children identify and manage their emotions.

• Understanding the neurobiological aspects of regulation can inform better support strategies.

Check out the Strategies for Supporting Twice-Exceptional Students course, and all of the others available now in the Neurodiversity University.

Leah Kuypers, MA Ed., OTR/L, is an occupational therapist, autism resource specialist, and educator, dedicated to helping individuals develop self-regulation skills. While working in public schools, she recognized the profound impact that regulation difficulties had on learners’ overall well-being and daily functioning. This led her to develop The Zones of Regulation, a systematic and practical framework designed to foster emotional and sensory regulation.

Since its initial publication in 2011, The Zones of Regulation has sold over 300,000 copies worldwide and has been widely adopted in educational and therapeutic settings. In 2024, Leah launched The Zones of Regulation Digital Curriculum, which has already been implemented in 40 countries. Her team has trained more than 8,000 educators and practitioners globally, equipping them with tools to support learners in developing essential self-regulation skills.

BACKGROUND READING

Zones of Regulation

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Today Emily Kircher-Morris talks with Gestalt language processing expert Ali Battye about the nuts and bolts of Gestalt, and why it's useful and important in understanding and supporting neurodivergent communicators. They talk about the barriers faced by Gestalt language processors, the role of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), and the need for a strengths-based approach in communication. There are some common misconceptions about Gestalt language processing, and they explain and dispel them in this conversation.

TAKEAWAYS

• Echolalia has become a helpful part of the learning process in Gestalt.

• Understanding the child's intent is crucial for effective communication.

• AAC can support children who struggle with verbal communication.

• Communication should be viewed as a connection-based approach.

• Misinformation about Gestalt language processing is prevalent.

• Real-life communication is complex and multimodal.

• Valuing a child's unique communication style fosters growth.

• Research on language acquisition should include lived experiences.

Be notified when the Therapist Hub opens for new members. It's a great opportunity to transform your practice into a more neurodiversity-affirming place, using tools and methods that benefit all clients. It's also a great resource for accredited CE!

Ali Battye is a highly experienced speech and language therapist with 25 years of practice in the UK and Australia. She specializes in neurodiversity-affirming therapy for autistic and neurodivergent children, with a focus on supporting Gestalt Language Processing (GLP) through Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). Ali is also an accomplished author, having written books on AAC and, most recently, on GLP, advocating for joyful therapy that prioritizes genuine connection.

Ali’s expertise is rooted in her extensive clinical experience and commitment to creating inclusive, supportive therapeutic practices that empower neurodivergent individuals.

BACKGROUND READING

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Ali Battye’s book

Today we're discussing the concept of whole body listening, and its evolution to whole body regulation. Elizabeth Sautter joins Emily Kircher-Morris to talk about that evolution, and what it means to neurodivergent people and those who support them. They discuss emotional regulation and co-regulation, the role of educators and parents in modeling emotional awareness, and the impact of shame on neurodivergent learners. Also, the complexities of vulnerability, and the significant difference between calling someone out, and calling them in.

TAKEAWAYS

• The shift from whole body listening to whole body regulation is crucial.

• Co-regulation is foundational for emotional regulation.

• Adults must model emotional awareness for children.

• Understanding individual needs is key to effective learning.

• Shame can hinder the learning process for neurodivergent kids.

• Brene Brown's work highlights the importance of discussing vulnerability and shame.

• Calling in promotes understanding and change more effectively than calling out.

• The stages of grief can be applied to the process of unlearning harmful practices.

• Self-reflection is essential for educators and parents to shift their approaches.

Be notified when the Therapist Hub opens for new members. It's a great opportunity to transform your practice into a more neurodiversity-affirming place, using tools and methods that benefit all clients. It's also a great resource for accredited CE!

Listen to Emily's other podcast, Creating Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools, co-hosted by Amanda Morin.

Elizabeth A. Sautter, MA, CCC, is a speech-language pathologist, speaker, author, and trainer, with expertise in social communication, emotional regulation, and executive functioning. She is the author of Make Social and Emotional Learning Stick! Practical activities to help your child manage emotions, navigate social situations & reduce anxiety, along with many other resources, including an online course and community for parents. Elizabeth collaborates with the Zones of Regulation team as a trainer and is a coauthor of the Zones children’s books, card decks, and games.

BACKGROUND READING

Elizabeth Sautter’s website

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