Recentering the foundations: Using the Zones of Regulation® with fidelity

Emotional regulation is widely recognized as a foundational skill set that is critical to daily life, and occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) are well positioned to support its development (American Occupational Therapy Association, 2020). In schools, clinics, and community settings, practitioners often adopt frameworks that help learners understand and manage their internal experiences to support occupational engagement, participation, and performance in daily activities. The Zones of Regulation^® (Kuypers; 2011, 2024) is one such framework that has gained wide adoption across educational and therapeutic environments.