Self-regulation strategies of children with emotional disturbance

Phys Occup Ther Pediatr. 2008;28(4):369-87. doi: 10.1080/01942630802307127.

Abstract

Children with emotional disturbance frequently have difficulty regulating their classroom behaviors. Many have co-occurrence of other disabilities, such as sensory processing problems, which compound difficulties in school participation. This exploratory project evaluated the 8-week-long use of the Alert Program within the classroom setting for seven children with emotional disturbance. Five children with emotional disturbance served as a control group. Self-regulation, behavioral adjustments, and sensory processing skills as reported by the children and teachers were evaluated. Changes from pretest to posttest indicated that children who received the Alert Program demonstrated a small improvement on all measures while performance of the control group remained relatively constant or decreased. These preliminary results indicate programs that target self-regulation skills may be useful in helping to improve self-regulation of children with emotional disturbance.

Publication types

  • Controlled Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological*
  • Affective Symptoms / psychology*
  • Child
  • Child Behavior Disorders / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Psychological Techniques
  • Schools
  • Self Efficacy
  • Treatment Outcome