Download Change in Routine Card Tip Sheet
Self-regulation is what helps adults control their own behaviour. It has two primary components:
- Ability to control our impulses and to stop doing something
- Capacity to do something even if we do not want to do it
Examples of these might be:
- Staying calm enough to stay in the room for a planning meeting
- Ability to express your opinion when asked to make a choice and speak in front of a group of people
Introducing Visuals to Assist in Self-Regulation
What:
- Photographs, drawings, clip art, board maker, or written words
Why:
- Strategies are based on the concept of positive reinforcement of learning to use visual supports
- Individual is provided with opportunities to practice the appropriate skills repeatedly
How:
- Identify a situation that is currently difficult for the individual (eg. changes in routine)
- Investigate the many self-regulation strategies that are available (Powercards, relaxation techniques, scripts, cognitive picture rehearsal, help cards, change in routine cards, etc.) and select the appropriate strategy
- Customize the strategy you select to the particular needs of the individual
When:
- Introduce in a positive and safe environment
- Practice and rehearse just before the difficult situation is likely to occur
- Reinforce attempts by the individual to use the strategy