Before School Meltdowns? Try This One Small Shift

If your child melts down before school even starts, their body may already be overwhelmed. Some children regulate best with steady, calming input like compression or deep pressure. Instead of waiting as behavior escalates,try offering it proactively — during dressing or while putting on shoes. ✨ Micro-move: Build regulation into the routine — not as a consequence. See how one mom & OT makes joint compression fun! @mindfulplay.ot https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIcSa14SnYj/?igsh=MWhrZ3g4MTIwZ2NtYg== Want to explore different regulation tools? Visit our digital Exploratorium to see options families are using. https://specialedtechcenter.com/exploratorium/ Family Connections for Inclusive Voices is funded by King County through a Best Starts for Kids grant and administered through the Special Education Technology Center at Central Washington University. Description of video: Narrator reads text on 5 slides Slide 1: “Mornings are overwhelming before we even leave the house.” Image of a floor or entry way in a home with back pack, clothes and shoes. Slide 2: “Try adding calming input BEFORE stress builds — not after. “ No image text with yellow background. Text only with green and white background Slide 3: “A few minutes of steady joint pressure while getting dressed can help the body feel organized.” Image a child in a blue shirt and a mom with her hands on his shoulders. Slide 4: “Building regulation into the routine helps everyone start the day steadier. The link in the bio shows how one mom/OT makes this happen.” Slide 5: “To explore self-regulation ideas, visit our digital Exploratorium.” Image: Family Connections for Inclusive Voices logo.