05/28/2026
Sensory processing, executive function, and emotional regulation are deeply connected, especially in the children we see as occupational therapy providers.
When a child’s sensory system is either overwhelmed or under-stimulated, it can interfere with their ability to plan, focus, and control impulses, core components of executive functioning.
This sensory “traffic jam” can lead to frustration, shutdowns, or meltdowns, not because the child is being defiant, but because their brain is working overtime to manage input, organize thoughts, and regulate big feelings.
As OT practitioners, we support the foundation, helping kids process sensory input so they can better access higher-level thinking skills and emotional control throughout their day.
Here are resources:
🟢https://www.theottoolbox.com/emotional-regulation-and-executive-function/
🟢https://www.theottoolbox.com/sensory-processing-disorder-checklist/
🟢https://www.theottoolbox.com/lion-and-lamb-self-regulation-activity/
🟢https://research.aota.org/ajot/article/76/Supplement_1/7610505101p1/23472/Relationships-Among-Sensory-Processing-Behaviors
