Self-Regulation as Key Factor in Protection Against the Harmful Effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences: Critical Role for Occupational Therapists

Abstract

The author reports that they have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Exploring Co-Regulation-Related Factors in the Mothers of ADHD Children—Proof of Concept Study

“…This preliminary study aimed to explore EFs, self-efficacy, anxiety, and sensory modulation in mothers of children with ADHD, attempting to better understand factors affecting their co-regulation abilities [ 25 , 36 , 50 , 76 , 77 ]. This study found enhanced sensory under-responsiveness in mothers of children with ADHD.…”

“…Further, it is crucial for developing regulatory abilities and enhancing child motivation [ 24 , 48 ]. Importantly, maternal stress impacts the perception of maternal roles and elicits increased feelings of low competence, negatively affecting the mother’s ability to support her child and thus disrupting the parent–child relationship [ 50 ]. Indeed, parents of children with ADHD report feeling incompetent and having lower parental self-efficacy in comparison with parents of children without ADHD [ 51 ].…”

“…SMD, a condition expressed by over- or under-responsiveness to daily sensations [ 55 ], is linked to high stress levels [ 56 , 57 ] and severely interferes with daily routines and participation as well as quality of life [ 49 , 52 , 53 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 ]. Furthermore, since 54–65% of children with ADHD demonstrate co-occurring SMD [ 19 , 62 , 63 , 64 ], their difficulties are amplified in sensory-intensified environments, such as schools [ 24 , 50 , 65 ]. Of note, like children with ADHD, children with SMD are reported to have mothers with SMD symptoms [ 66 , 67 ].…”

Community-Based Interventions for Childhood Trauma: A Scoping Review

“…Intervention at the environmental level may include creating optimal environments to support development (e.g., parent education). Finally, promoting healthy habits, routines, and roles creates a positive identity for the child and parent through occupation (Whitney, 2020). Despite this, there is limited evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of occupational therapy interventions in working with children with a history of ACEs outside the medical arena and in community settings.…”

“…The literature articulates occupational therapists' role in applying sensory-based techniques in the inpatient setting and how practitioners can address trauma through the person, environment, and occupation. For example, Whitney (2020) advises intervening at the person level (with the child or caregiver-child dyad) through self-regulation and co-regulation strategies (e.g., teaching mindfulness). Intervention at the environmental level may include creating optimal environments to support development (e.g., parent education).…”