Your Child’s Engine Level

Have you noticed when it’s just about time for bedtime your child starts playing even harder, running around and chatting your ear off?  This is your child’s attempt at counteracting the fact that they are tired. The child is in a high state of alert in order to self regulate how they are feeling inside.  We all require that our nervous systems be in an appropriate state of alertness in order to perform specific tasks. Sometimes children have a hard time self-regulating their nervous systems.  The term “Engine Level” is often used to help children understand the state of their alertness.

Identifying Engine Levels

Engine levels can be high, normal/moderate or low.  For example, a low engine level can be when your child just wakes up in the morning.  This is normal upon waking but not normal if it lasts all day. If a child’s energy level is low in school the child may not be able to focus on schoolwork or may overcompensate by being disruptive in the classroom. Occupational Therapists can help a child learn to identify where their Engine Levels are so the child can begin to self-regulate appropriately for the situation.

What is Self-Regulation?

Self-regulation is the ability to achieve, sustain and change states of alertness appropriately for a task or situation.  A child who is fidgety at their desk in school and can’t pay attention to the teacher or a child who cannot sit at the dinner table without getting up every two seconds may benefit from an Alert Program.  Some children are often unable to change the degree of alertness they feel which makes it difficult for them to function optimally. This is just one area your Occupational Therapist may be able to help your child at school and at home.