This week, LiveBig hosted a dynamic webinar led by Amanda Trist, Senior Occupational Therapist and Area Manager for NSW, exploring how emotional regulation shapes resilience and independence for young people from their tween years through to their twenties.

Why Emotional Regulation Matters

Emotional regulation is the ability to recognise, pause, and adapt our emotional responses to life’s challenges. It’s a vital skill for daily living, relationships, education, employment, and mental health. When emotional regulation is difficult, young people may experience disrupted routines, increased reliance on carers, and emotional meltdowns, impacting their independence and social participation.

Case study: Real-Life Impact

The webinar featured the story of a 17-year-old female with Autism Spectrum Disorder preparing for TAFE. Her struggles with emotional awareness and social interpretation led to anxiety, outbursts, and difficulty adapting to change – affecting her friendships, family life, and ability to manage everyday tasks. Even small disruptions, like missing an ingredient for dinner, could trigger meltdowns and task avoidance.

The OT Approach: Building Resilience

LiveBig’s Occupational Therapists use a step-by-step framework to help young people like her build emotional regulation skills:

  • Emotional Literacy: Teaching young people to recognise and name emotions using activities like flashcards, mirror work, and body language games.
  • Recognising Emotional States: Using tools such as the Zones of Regulation, emotional odometers, and sensory profiling to identify feelings and triggers.
  • Flexible Thinking: Encouraging cognitive flexibility, positive self-talk, and problem-solving through analogies and reframing exercises.
  • Toolkit Development: Introducing breathing techniques, sensory tools (like weighted blankets and fidgets), movement-based regulation, and mindfulness practices.
  • Real-World Practice: Role-playing scenarios, using visual supports and social stories, and involving family and peers in weekly check-ins and feedback loops.

A typical intervention goal might be: “Over three months, I will successfully implement emotional regulation strategies 50% of the time when faced with unexpected changes.”

Empowering Young People

The webinar highlighted that emotional regulation is a learnable skill. With evidence-based OT strategies, family support, and community engagement, young people can develop the tools they need to thrive—building resilience, independence, and confidence for life’s transitions.

If you would like to make a referral for one of our Occupational Therapists to support a young person in building emotional resilience, contact LiveBig today at 1300 390 222 or visit here to get started.