Social and Emotional
Social and Emotional Services
At Ability Rehab, we support children in developing essential social and emotional skills, including emotional regulation, sensory processing, and social interaction. These skills are fundamental for managing emotions, building relationships, and thriving in everyday life. Our occupational therapists and speech pathologists provide tailored interventions to help children navigate emotional challenges, develop social skills, and engage more successfully in their environments.
Emotional Regulation
From birth to adolescence, children develop physically, socially and emotionally. When a child is in infancy or early childhood, it is developmentally appropriate to see a meltdown over a dropped ice cream or a broken toy. However, when children reach school age, parents and caregivers may feel overwhelmed when their child has frequent outbursts. It is essential to know that emotional regulation skills develop into adulthood.
Some children require additional support to communicate their emotions and use regulation strategies to calm themselves down. Children with a diagnosis, such as ADHD or Autism Spectrum Disorder, may also find it difficult to control impulses and manage their emotions. The ability to self-regulate is a skill that is taught and modelled all throughout life, but is especially important in the early years of childhood.
Emotional regulation is associated with many other life skills and areas. This includes an improved sense of self, improved relationships with others, and improved ability to work. Children with good emotional awareness and understanding are more likely to bounce back from challenges and be able to control their impulses when faced with strong emotions such as anger, frustration or excitement.
Sensory Regulation
Occupational Therapists cover a broad scope of practice; however, one thing that we are commonly known to help with is children with sensory processing difficulties.
Sensory processing difficulties can come in many different forms, whether it be a dislike of wearing clothes, sensitivity to loud noises or avoiding certain food textures. Significant struggles in sensory processing can impact a child’s ability to participate and engage in daily activities successfully. Sensory processing difficulties is also known as Sensory Processing Disorder.
When sensory processing difficulties impact a child’s daily life, occupational therapists can implement strategies to help children stay regulated and help them manage their sensory needs.
Social Skills
Play is crucial component of a child’s development. It helps them develop social, emotional, cognitive, and physical skills. At Ability Rehab, we understand the importance of play in a child’s life. In this blog, we’ll discuss social interaction in play milestones and what you need to know.
From birth to age seven, children go through various play milestones. These milestones are essential for their overall development.
Here are the milestones for each age and some tips to help encourage your child’s development:
0-6 months
In the first six months, a child establishes eye contact, recognizes parents visually, and responds with a smile when socially approached. They also laugh in response to play and distinguish between friendly and angry voices.
6-12 months
From six to twelve months, a child starts to play peek-a-boo, lift their arms to parents, and respond to facial expressions. They imitate adult actions, manipulate and explore objects, and begin to engage in imaginative play actions.
1-2 years
A child has toy preferences between one and two years and identifies themselves in the mirror. They imitate adult behaviour and engage in imaginative play. They spontaneously perform one action with a doll, use a similar-looking object for the needed object, and begin to play next to other children.
2-3 years
A child has a strong sense of ownership between two to three years and may begin cooperative play. They treat dolls or teddies as if they are alive and begin to use symbols in their play. They also use or plan storylines and express emotions.
3-4 years
Between three to four years, a child plays with mechanical toys, takes turns with other children, and plays with 2 or 3 children in a group.
Here are some activity suggestions to help foster the skills above in your child:
4-5 years
Between four to five years, a child begins taking turns and negotiating and usually prefers playing with other children than by themselves. They play imaginatively, enjoy playing games with simple rules, and may change the rules of a game as the activity progresses.
5-7 years
Between five to seven years, a child’s play themes include themes never personally experienced, and they play and negotiate with others during play. Their play is well-organized, and they enjoy using and understanding rules in play.
Children with developmental challenges may struggle to progress through these stages. By participating in play-based interventions and working on social skills, children can build their capacity for regulation, social interaction, and engagement in play. Our therapists use techniques such as sensory integration, play-based therapy, and collaborate with caregivers and teachers to provide consistent support across different settings.
How Ability Rehab Supports Social and Emotional Development
Our team of occupational therapists and speech pathologists:
- Assess your child’s emotional and sensory regulation skills
- Provide interventions to help children manage emotions and develop self-regulation strategies
- Use play-based therapy to enhance social skills and foster positive interactions with peers
- Work closely with families, caregivers, and educators to ensure consistent support across home and school environments
Make a Referral
If your child is struggling with emotional regulation, sensory processing, or social skills, contact Ability Rehab today. We provide individualised therapy plans tailored to your child’s unique needs, helping them navigate social and emotional challenges with confidence.