Everyone experiences moments when emotions, sensory input, or everyday demands feel like more than they can comfortably manage. For some children and adults, these moments may happen frequently or may be especially difficult to navigate.
Self-regulation is the ongoing process of noticing what is happening in your body and emotions and responding in ways that help you move through the situation. It can involve calming down, maintaining focus, managing frustration, adjusting to change, or taking a break when you need one.
There isn't one way to self-regulate, and there isn't one strategy that works for everyone. TouchPoints offer one simple, wearable option that can be incorporated into an individual's existing self-regulation routine.
What Is Self-Regulation?
Self-regulation involves the ability to manage responses to internal and external experiences.
That can mean staying engaged when you're distracted, recovering after becoming upset, adjusting to an unexpected change, or recognizing when you need a break.
For children, self-regulation skills develop over time and can be influenced by their environment, experiences, and individual sensory needs. Adults also rely on self-regulation throughout the day, particularly during stressful, unfamiliar, or demanding situations.
Self-regulation isn't about suppressing emotions or expecting someone to always remain calm. It's about having strategies and support available to navigate those emotions and experiences.
Recognizing When Additional Support May Help
The signs that someone is becoming overwhelmed can vary considerably.
A child might become restless, have difficulty transitioning between activities, withdraw from an interaction, or become visibly upset. An adult might have trouble concentrating, feel overstimulated, become frustrated, or need to step away from a busy environment.
Recognizing these signals early can make it easier to introduce a familiar strategy before the situation becomes more difficult to manage.
A self-regulation routine might include taking a quiet break, moving the body, practicing breathing exercises, reducing sensory input, using a familiar tactile tool, or simply creating some space to reset.
How TouchPoints Fit Into a Self-Regulation Routine
TouchPoints use BLAST® bilateral stimulation, providing alternating tactile stimulation through paired wearable devices.
They are designed to be simple to use and can be incorporated into everyday routines without requiring a screen, app, or complicated setup.
Some people may choose to use TouchPoints during situations they already know can be challenging. Others may incorporate them into a regular routine as one of several sensory strategies.
TouchPoints may be used:
- During transitions between activities
- At school or in the workplace
- Before or during busy or unfamiliar environments
- During moments of frustration or overwhelm
- While taking a break or practicing other regulation strategies
- At home as part of a familiar daily routine
How and when they are used can be individualized based on the person's preferences and needs.
Supporting Regulation During Transitions
Transitions can be challenging for children and adults alike.
Moving from one activity to another, leaving a familiar environment, changing plans, or preparing for something new can require significant mental and sensory adjustment.
A predictable routine can help. Giving advance notice, using visual schedules, offering choices, and allowing time to transition are examples of strategies that may make changes easier to navigate.
TouchPoints can be another option to incorporate into a transition routine when an individual finds the tactile stimulation supportive.
Self-Regulation at School
School environments can introduce many competing demands at once. Students may need to move between classrooms, manage background noise, interact with peers, follow instructions, and adjust to changes throughout the day.
For students who use sensory tools, having a familiar option available can be helpful.
TouchPoints can be worn discreetly and incorporated into a student's existing support strategies. Families, educators, and qualified professionals can work together to determine whether and when they make sense for an individual student.
Self-Regulation at Home
Self-regulation strategies can also be part of everyday life at home.
A predictable bedtime routine, a quiet space, movement breaks, sensory activities, or time to decompress can all provide opportunities to reset.
For some individuals, TouchPoints may be one additional tool within that routine. Because they are wearable, they can be used while engaging in ordinary activities rather than requiring someone to stop what they're doing.
Building a Personalized Regulation Toolkit
A useful self-regulation toolkit doesn't have to look the same for everyone.
Depending on the person, it might include:
- Quiet or low-stimulation spaces
- Movement breaks
- Breathing exercises
- Music or noise-reducing headphones
- Fidget or tactile tools
- Visual schedules and predictable routines
- Time outdoors
- Mindfulness or relaxation activities
- Support from parents, educators, therapists, or other professionals
- Wearable sensory tools such as TouchPoints
The goal is to give the individual options and help them understand which strategies feel supportive in different situations.
A Tool, Not a One-Size-Fits-All Solution
Self-regulation is personal. A strategy that works well for one person may not work for another, and preferences can change depending on the environment or situation.
TouchPoints are intended to complement, rather than replace, the strategies and professional support an individual may already use.
For families, educators, and clinicians, they can be considered as one potential addition to a broader approach to sensory support and self-regulation.
Explore TouchPoints for Sensory Support
TouchPoints offer a simple, wearable way to incorporate bilateral tactile stimulation into an everyday self-regulation routine.
Whether you're supporting a child through transitions, looking for sensory strategies for school, or exploring additional options for everyday regulation, TouchPoints can be used alongside other personalized approaches.
Explore TouchPoints™ for Sensory Support to learn more about how they work, the research behind them, and how they can fit into everyday life.
TouchPoints are a general wellness device and are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any condition. They are not a substitute for medical or therapeutic advice. If you have questions about self-regulation, sensory processing, or your individual needs, consult a qualified healthcare or therapeutic professional.
