Evidence and The Zones of Regulation
The Zones of Regulation, written by L. Kuypers and published by Social Thinking in 2011, has sold over 260,000 copies and counting, and has been widely implemented in homes, schools, districts, and clinical practices all over the world to address social emotional learning (SEL). The creation of The Zones of Regulation was based off clinical experience, seeing a need in the field to teach skills in the realm of regulation in a way learners could connect to and apply in context, all while layering together many theories, best practices and evidence as the foundation to inform and build The Zones' framework and lessons.
The Zones of Regulation is a metacognitive framework for regulation and treatment approach that is based on immense evidence in the fields of autism, attention deficit disorders (ADD/HD), and social-emotional theories. It integrates best practices around Trauma Informed Care and mental health supports and aligns with the CASEL SEL core competencies. The Zones integrates Systemizing Theory, Central Coherence Theory and Cognitive Behavior Management. It ties in Social Thinking®, visual supports and is a tool to build self-management skills. Some of these evidence-based practices are developmental in nature, while others are related to learning-styles, concepts or characteristics important to neurodiverse populations. For further explanation on how best practices were infused into The Zones of Regulation curriculum, please see the Literature Review.
The Zones of Regulation is certainly a practice based on evidence and has shown positive, measurable outcomes across multiple studies and applications in clinical practice and school-based settings (Zones Research & Scholarly Articles Spreadsheet). Knowledge gained from research guides practice and likewise feedback from clinical practice will in turn create ongoing changes to theory and our base of knowledge. Research is an integral part of what we do, and we continue to devote efforts to furthering the depth and breadth of our evidence base.
INTERESTED IN PURSUING RESEARCH UTILIZING The Zones of Regulation?
Please contact us (info@zonesofregulation and research@socialthinking.com) if you are considering conducting a study utilizing The Zones of Regulation. In addition, we have developed an Implementation and Fidelity Checklist to guide your use and instruction of the curriculum.
ALREADY CONDUCTED RESEARCH UTILIZING The Zones of Regulation?
We would love to hear more about your formal or informal research utilizing The Zones, please complete this FORM to introduce your work for us to review.
The Zones of Regulation is a metacognitive framework for regulation and treatment approach that is based on immense evidence in the fields of autism, attention deficit disorders (ADD/HD), and social-emotional theories. It integrates best practices around Trauma Informed Care and mental health supports and aligns with the CASEL SEL core competencies. The Zones integrates Systemizing Theory, Central Coherence Theory and Cognitive Behavior Management. It ties in Social Thinking®, visual supports and is a tool to build self-management skills. Some of these evidence-based practices are developmental in nature, while others are related to learning-styles, concepts or characteristics important to neurodiverse populations. For further explanation on how best practices were infused into The Zones of Regulation curriculum, please see the Literature Review.
The Zones of Regulation is certainly a practice based on evidence and has shown positive, measurable outcomes across multiple studies and applications in clinical practice and school-based settings (Zones Research & Scholarly Articles Spreadsheet). Knowledge gained from research guides practice and likewise feedback from clinical practice will in turn create ongoing changes to theory and our base of knowledge. Research is an integral part of what we do, and we continue to devote efforts to furthering the depth and breadth of our evidence base.
INTERESTED IN PURSUING RESEARCH UTILIZING The Zones of Regulation?
Please contact us (info@zonesofregulation and research@socialthinking.com) if you are considering conducting a study utilizing The Zones of Regulation. In addition, we have developed an Implementation and Fidelity Checklist to guide your use and instruction of the curriculum.
ALREADY CONDUCTED RESEARCH UTILIZING The Zones of Regulation?
We would love to hear more about your formal or informal research utilizing The Zones, please complete this FORM to introduce your work for us to review.
Research & Scholarly articles

This downloadable spreadsheet includes completed research and scholarly articles utilizing The Zones of Regulation framework, curriculum, and concepts.
Don't see your study or article? Please submit it for review in this FORM, and we will be in touch.
Don't see your study or article? Please submit it for review in this FORM, and we will be in touch.
featured studies utilizing The Zones of REgulation
Brevard Public Schools School Safety and Climate Study
Kristina Childs, Sara Bryson, Jennifer Peck, Kim Gryglewicz, Roberto Potter University of Central Florida and the Brevard County Public School Board, 2020 Grant-funded Study through the U.S. Department of Justice: Research conducted in 5 schools in a public school district utilizing The Zones of Regulation as part of a comprehensive mental health intervention focused on increasing school safety in schools with significant disciplinary disparities. |
The Impact of a Social Emotional Learning Curriculum on the Social-Emotional Competence of Elementary-Age Students
Michelle Dunn Clemson University, 2019 Dissertation: Large-scale study of implementing The Zones of Regulation in general education Tier-1 instruction in twelve 2nd grade classrooms from three socio-economically diverse elementary schools. |
A Feasibility Study of The Zones of Regulation® Curriculum as Part of Tier I MTSS
Erin McQuaid, MS, OTR/L CAPS Brookline Public School BSOT Tufts University, 2019 Poster: General education Tier-1 instruction using The Zones of Regulation with 4th grade class in elementary school setting. |
The Effects on The ZONES of Regulation on Preschoolers' Behavior
Christa Valkanos, MS, OTR/L; Maria Bettler, MS, OTR/L; Margaret Dess McGuire, OTR/L; Arielle Frederico, OTS, Bridget Kernan, OTS; and Allison Mohr, OTS Rush University and School Association of Special Education in DuPage County (SASED), 2016 Poster: Adapted Zones of Regulation curriculum for early childhood implemented in a whole-class model in inclusive preschool setting. |
Intervention to Increase Self-Regulation in Kindergarten Students
Lauren E. Yack Saint Joseph's University, 2015 Small group intervention utilizing The Zones of Regulation with Kindergarten students in an elementary school setting. |
Literature Review for the Original Zones of Regulation
Leah Kuypers, MA Ed., OTR/L Hamline University, 2008 Excerpt from author/creator of The Zones of Regulation Leah Kuypers' capstone: The Zones of Regulation: A Curriculum Designed to Foster Self-Regulation in Students with Neurobiological Impairments. Provides explanation on how best practices were infused into the design of The Zones of Regulation curriculum. |
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