The Zones of Regulation

A Concept to Foster Self-Regulation & Emotional Control

Presented by Leah Kuypers, OTR/L, M.A.Ed

Thursday, November 15, 2018  |  Vancouver, bc

Date & Location

Self-Regulation is a skill everyone needs to manage the daily trials and tribulations.  Sometimes we become incapacitated to cope, and with all the pressures on our youth, all too often we are seeing more self-regulation needs in this general population.  Managing emotions and monitoring behaviors is a particular challenge for some.  Self-regulation skills need to be taught and learned so that our youth have the capacity to manage everyday conflicts, persevere under stress and maintain a mentally healthy state of being.

The Zones of Regulation (2011) curriculum, comprised of lessons and activities designed by Leah Kuypers, M. A. Ed., OTR/L to help students gain skills in the area of self-regulation.  The lessons and learning activities are designed to help students recognize when they are in different Zones (states of alertness/moods) as well as learn how to use strategies to regulate the Zone they are in.  In addition to addressing self-regulation, students will gain an increased vocabulary of emotional terms, skills in reading facial expressions, perspective on how others see and react to their behavior, insight on events that trigger their behavior, calming and alerting strategies, and problem solving skills.

Zones trainings provide strategies to teach students to become more aware of and independent to control their emotions and impulses, manage their sensory needs and improve their ability to problem solve conflicts.  Practical ideas are provided that can easily be incorporated into the classroom or home.

Who Should Attend

Education and Clinical Professionals: K–12 Classroom Teachers, School Counsellors/Psychologists, Learning Assistance/ Resource Teachers, School Administrators, School Paraprofessionals including Special Education Assistants, Classroom Assistants and Childcare Workers. All other professionals who support students including but not limited to: Nurses, Social Workers, Psychologists, Clinical Counsellors, Family Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech Language Pathologists, Addiction Counsellors, Youth Workers, Mental Health Workers, Probation Officers, Police Officers, and Early Childhood Educators.

Parents, Caregiver, Foster Parents, Grandparents, and Extended Family raising a child.

Agenda

9:00  Introduction to Self-Regulation

• What is self-regulation?
• Development of self-regulation
• Components of self-regulation

• • • Sensory and think, pair, share on their sensory lifestyle
    • Executive Functioning
    • Emotional Regulation
    • Social Cognition

10:15  Morning Break (15 Minutes)

10:30  How we view Behavior

• Assessment and Data Collection

The Zones of Regulation Framework

• • • Integrating theories and approaches
    • Defining the four Zones
    • Introducing the Zones to students

11:45  Break for Lunch

12:45  Zones Curriculum

• Identifying the Zones in self and others
• Identifying triggers
• Zones and perspective taking
• Exploration of tools for the Zones
  • Sensory supports
  • Calming techniques
  • Thinking strategies
• Reflection on personal Toolbox

2:00  Afternoon Break (15 minutes)

2:15  Zones Content Continues

• When and how to use tools
• Stop, Opt and Go problem solving

Implementing the Zones

• Adapting to different population and settings
• Using with other approaches

3:45 End Notes/Questions

4:00  Finish

Learning Objectives

Learner will demonstrate knowledge of self-regulation, including:

• Identify the sensory systems that impact regulation
• Describe sensory integration and its impact on modulation and regulation
• Outline executive functions that frequently impact self-regulation
• Define emotional regulation to include social cognition’s role in emotional expression
• Reflect on the importance of using individual strategies to self-regulate
• Demonstrate insight into the Zones of Regulation’s systematic way to teach students to self-regulate by:
  • Citing strategies to identify level of alertness in self and others
  • Describing how social and contextual cues are used to decipher expected display of emotions
  • Describe strategies to adjust level of alertness/emotional display to match the demands of the environment
• Identify ways to integrate the Zones into practice and generalize skills across settings

Your Presenter

Leah Kuypers, OTR/L, M.A.Ed

Leah Kuypers, OTR/L, M.A.Ed., earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a Graduate Certificate in Autism, and a Master of Arts in Education from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN.  She has practiced as an OT and specialist in school and clinical settings, specializing in self-regulation and social learning, and has worked with students of all ages and challenges, including anxiety, ADHD, and ASD.
Leah created The Zones of Regulation®, a concept designed to teach self-regulation, and is author of the book and app by the same name (2011, Social Thinking Publishing; 2013, Selosoft, Inc). In addition to working with students, she provides trainings and consultation to parents and professionals, and offers workshops on the Zones to groups across the country and Canada.

She currently resides in Minneapolis, MN with her husband, son, daughter and dog. To have fun, Leah loves traveling, playing with her children, hiking, skiing and most anything outdoors.

 

Testimonials

“Enjoyed the very practical applications of Leah K’s presentation. I can take away so much to apply in the classroom. Thanks!”
– Edmonton, AB | October 26-28, 2016

“Evidence from research studies and news headlines very appreciated, very happy to hear how zones could be implemented school-wide and for older students. I have done lots of zones for younger students but never for adolescents.”
– Edmonton, AB | October 26-28, 2016

“Dr. Kuyper’s love of kids shone through.”
– Edmonton, AB | October 26-28, 2016

Registration & Fees