Busy days can derail even the best self-care plans. But you do not need special tools or extra time. By noticing your alert level during small daily moments such as waiting for coffee, walking to your car, or pausing before a meeting, you can choose simple strategies to get to “just right.” This turns routine into built-in support and models for others that steady, intentional self-care is both normal and essential. Read more »
Seasonal shifts can disrupt even the most consistent routines. For children who rely on sensory input to stay regulated, that disruption can feel like a storm with no anchor. But with thoughtful adjustments, we can turn these moments into opportunities. Summer Sensory Swaps offer a simple, science-backed way to keep self-regulation tools consistent even when everything else is changing. Whether you’re a therapist, teacher, or caregiver, you don’t need new materials. You just need a fresh perspective. This blog explores easy, playful ways to meet sensory needs using what’s already around you, from garden hoses to bubble wands. With the right approach, summer becomes more than a break from routine. It becomes a season of growth. Read more »
Professionals in early education and clinical care have long recognized the powerful impact of reaching children early. Now, mounting research is revealing the lasting ripple effects of these interventions, particularly when studies include voices and communities that have often been left out of traditional research. Read more »
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) represents a range of lifelong challenges that arise from prenatal exposure to alcohol, impacting cognitive development, emotional control, and adaptive behavior. Read more »
In our fast-paced, constantly changing world, individuals frequently encounter challenges that test their ability to adapt, maintain focus, and stay emotionally balanced. Whether in classrooms, workplaces, or homes, the capacity to self-regulate is crucial. But self-regulation isn’t merely about controlling emotions or staying calm under pressure—it is an intricate combination of sensory processing, cognitive flexibility, and motor regulation. These components collectively allow individuals to adapt effectively and thrive in diverse environments. Read more »
As people spend more time indoors engaging with digital environments, they are exposed to less natural sensory input, which plays a key role in movement, focus, and decision-making. Researchers are still examining how this shift impacts the brain’s ability to regulate these functions, particularly as modern lifestyles reduce interaction with natural electrical and sensory stimuli. Read more »
Effective self-regulation training empowers professionals to help students, patients, and clients thrive while enhancing their own focus and well-being. This post outlines key criteria for leaders to choose the best training program. Discover how to select a course that benefits both your team and those they serve. Read more »
Looking for one simple change that can improve your focus, mood, and sleep? Morning sunlight is scientifically proven to reset your circadian rhythm, boost serotonin, and help you feel more energized throughout the day. Learn how this easy habit can transform your routine—no extra time or equipment required! Read more »
You might think the Alert Program® is just for elementary school-aged kiddos. But it supports self-regulation (changing how alert you feel) for all ages, populations and settings. Once you know about the importance of self-regulation, it can take you to some surprising places. Here are seven Alert Program® success stories. After taking an Alert Program® training… Read more »
The engine analogy is not the “be all and end all,” although the Alert Program® often uses the metaphor of a car engine running high, low, or just right. Young children relate to the playful side of it; adults drive and own cars, so they understand it from a practical standpoint. Naturally, each level has its … Read more
If you’re unfamiliar with this dynamic duo of occupational therapists or their fun and effective sensory regulation program, this is the place to be. Read on! The Alert Program® is a cognitive and experiential sensorimotor approach to teach children how to change and maintain levels of alertness necessary for any given task during their day (i.e., how to self-regulate). Sherry … Read more
It is likely that, at this very moment, competition for your attention is fierce. While you are reading these words, your brain is being bombarded with countless pieces of sensory information per second, most of which is irrelevant to the task at hand. Can you keep reading? That depends. Do you feel lethargic, like a couch potato? … Read more
TherapyWorks, Inc. is an AOTA Approved Provider of Professional Development # 4832. The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA.
The Illinois Early Intervention Training Program has approved these courses for EI credential credit.
TherapyWorks, Inc. is listed as an approved provider on the California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare. For more information, visit www.cebc4cw.org.