Document Type
Report
College
College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Department
Occupational Therapy
Degree
Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
Report Date
4-2026
Faculty Mentor
Wells, Erin K.
Doctoral Experiential Coordinator
Latour, Debra
Abstract
Social-emotional learning (SEL) and self-regulation are essential components of childhood development that support participation in daily activities, social interactions, and overall well-being. While SEL is commonly addressed in school-based settings, there is a gap in the carryover of these skills into the home environment; where caregiver understanding and implementation play a critical role. This doctoral experiential capstone project, From Feelings to Function: An Occupational Therapy Perspective on All Things Regulation, aimed to address this gap through the development and implementation of a caregiver-focused educational program in an outpatient pediatric mental health setting.
The project involved the creation of online modules and educational resources designed to increase caregiver knowledge and confidence in supporting emotional and behavioral regulation, as well as sensory processing. A pre- and post-intervention design was used to evaluate outcomes, utilizing Likert-scale survey data and qualitative open responses from participants. Results demonstrated statistically significant improvements across all measured variables, with increases in caregiver knowledge and confidence following participation in the program. Qualitative findings further revealed meaningful shifts in caregiver perspectives, including increased understanding of behavior as communication and greater confidence in implementing regulation-based strategies within daily routines.
These findings support the efficacy of caregiver education as a means of promoting carryover of SEL strategies across environments. The project highlights the role of occupational therapy in supporting family-centered interventions that enhance participation in meaningful occupations.
Keywords: social-emotional learning, self-regulation, caregiver education, pediatric therapy, occupational therapy, sensory processing, emotional regulation, behavioral regulation
Recommended Citation
Travaglin, Caroline, "From Feelings to Function: An Occupational Therapy Perspective on All Things Regulation" (2026). OTD DEx Reports - College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. 109.
https://digitalcommons.law.wne.edu/otd/109
