Did you know that The Zones of Regulation originated in occupational therapy?
Leah Kuypers, OTR/L, created The Zones to support her caseload while working as a school and clinic-based occupational therapist (OT). As word spread, OTs were among the first adopters of The Zones of Regulation, a framework designed to scaffold and strengthen emotional regulation skills.
Occupational therapists play a critical yet often underutilized role in supporting regulation development across school, home, and community settings. As experts in the field, OTs are tasked with staying up to date on accessible tools and approaches that support diverse learners in being able to participate in their daily routines and activities with ease.
Here are a few ways OTs can be leading the way with The Zones of Regulation® Digital Curriculum and training.
1. OTs Customize The Zones for Individual Learners
The updated Zones Digital Curriculum includes over 200 all-new, ready-to-print visuals and differentiated activities making it easy for OTs to meet learners where they are. Materials are designed to grow alongside learners; this includes images compatible with AAC devices and communication boards as well as visuals more appealing to adolescents.
Here is a sneak peek at just a few:
2. OTs Bridge Regulation Skills Across Settings and Support Teams
A common challenge for OTs is carryover, helping learners apply regulation skills beyond individual and group sessions. OTs are tasked with coaching teachers, parents/caregivers, and support teams to understand how to foster learners’ growth and facilitate their participation in meaningful activities.
The Zones Digital Curriculum includes Zones Bridges with every concept, designed to keep the entire team of supporting adults on the same page (also available in Spanish). These resources include:
- What’s being taught and why it matters
- Discussion prompts for the adults and learners
- A quick activity to complete together
- Related visual supports
3. OTs Are Leaders in Implementing The Zones with Integrity
OTs are uniquely positioned to ensure the Key Principles of The Zones are implemented consistently across settings. This helps to clear up misconceptions or misuse of The Zones.
Highlights include:
- All Zones are okay
- The Green Zone is not the goal
- The Zones is a proactive, not compliance-based practice
Climate Practices embedded throughout The Zones Digital Curriculum reinforce common language, shared practices, and the foundational values of the program. This helps create a safe and supportive environment for regulation to thrive in.
4. OTs Belong at the Planning Table
Whether planning at the department, grade-level, schoolwide, or district level, OTs bring essential expertise in self- and co-regulation, environmental modifications, sensory processing, and skill scaffolding. Our Strategic Planning for Zones Leaders training helps OTs confidently contribute and partner with other stakeholders in larger social emotional learning (SEL) initiatives.
As social and emotional learning continues to expand and integrate across school, home, and community, intentionally integrating occupational therapists’ expertise is key to building sustainable, effective regulation systems of support.
