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124: What to Do When Your Child Is Overwhelmed: The ABCs of Co-Regulation
Description
Ever had a moment where your child’s reaction felt way bigger than the situation? 🌋
A small thing turns into a huge meltdown. Logic doesn’t land. Consequences do NOT work. And you’re thinking "what am I supposed to do right now?" This is for you!
Today I’m joined by Elizabeth Sautter, a speech-language pathologist and author who has spent nearly 30 years supporting neurodivergent kids, families and educators. She’s also a mum of two neurodivergent (grown up) kids, so everything she shares comes from both professional experience and real life.
Elizabeth introduces a simple framework she uses with families called the ABCs and 123s of co-regulation. It helps parents understand what’s happening in a child’s nervous system when emotions run high, and what actually helps in the moment.
Because when kids are overwhelmed, it’s often not a discipline problem. It’s a regulation problem.
In this episode we talk about:
✅ Why behaviour is often a signal, not the real problem
✅ Why reasoning with a dysregulated child rarely works (we’ve all tried though)
✅ The power of pausing before responding
✅ How your calm nervous system helps regulate your child’s
I also love Elizabeth's metaphor about kids learning to ride emotional waves. "Our job isn’t to stop the waves, but to help them stay afloat while the feelings pass."
She created a free resource for listeners called the Get Regulation in Real Time Toolkit, with practical tools to support kids’ emotional regulation at home or school. Grab it here.
(https://elizabethsautter.com/regulation-in-real-time-toolkit)
Love what you're hearing? Get your FREE Emotional Intelligence Resource Bundle at stephaniepinto.com/gift
If this way of thinking resonates, my book on Amazon goes deeper into these ideas — emotional intelligence as the foundation for calmer, more connected parenting. Think of it as a companion to this conversation. 📚 Find my book From Chaos To Connection by Stephanie Pinto on Amazon here!
🩷 Hi! I’m an award-winning Emotional Intelligence parenting consultant, best-selling author and international speaker. I’m also a paediatric anxiety therapist and I love helping kids, parents and educators use emotional intelligence to become calmer, more connected and live happier lives!
Book a FREE 30 min consult with me to discuss coaching, support, collaborations or speaking engagements.
E: hello@stephaniepinto.com
IG @emotionally.intelligent.parent
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