The Dysregulation Insider Newsletter #24

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🧰Your Regulation First™ Parenting Tool of the Week: 10-Min Parent Regulation Routine DOWNLOAD NOW!

🔎 CASE STUDY

Creating a Holiday Calm Plan That Actually Works

FAMILY SNAPSHOT:
‍
‍Parent: Dana

‍Child: Leo, age 8 (sensory-sensitive, hates crowded gatherings)

‍Struggle: Holidays led to explosive meltdowns—noise, smells, and new faces overwhelmed him.

🔍 The Pattern (Before)

Leo melted down at nearly every holiday event.
He hid behind furniture, refused to join activities, or cried through transitions.
Dana felt torn between family expectations and her son’s regulation needs.

Nights ended with guilt, stress, and exhaustion—every time.

💡 What Dana Tried Instead:

The Holiday Calm Plan

Created a portable calm kit (headphones, chewy snacks, fidgets).
Set a clear code word for breaks.
Gave advance warnings before transitions.
Scheduled a 10-minute quiet reset before each event.
Left early when needed—without guilt.

🌟 What Changed (After 1 Week)

Meltdowns became shorter and less intense.
Leo used the code word instead of exploding.
He stayed longer at events and even participated.
Dana felt calmer and more confident about her choices.

🧠 Why This Worked

Predictability reduces amygdala activation (Porges, 2011).
Sensory relief tools lower overstimulation.
Co-regulation cues from parents signal safety.
Planned resets prevent overwhelm before it starts.

🎧 PODCAST HIGHLIGHT

The Real Reason Transitions Are So Hard for Your Child

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN

📖 BLOG HIGHLIGHT

How Dysregulation Affects Family Dynamics

– And How To Hold It Together

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