State 01
Make it safer & smaller
Protection
- Invest more in trust
- Normalize the protective response; add pain science
- Anchor attention in another area of the body
- Use a slower, predictable pace
- Offer soothing touch
- Smaller movement, less effort
- Use motor imagery
State 02
Make it more simple & clear
Overwhelm
- Simplify language when questioning and directing
- Guide attention to a smaller focus
- Ground to one sensation
- Slow breath, especially the exhale
- Simple repetitive movements
- More frequent pauses, slower pace
State 03
Make it more engaging
Shutdown
- Invest in relational attunement
- Reinforce vertical support — more time off the table
- Add more curiosity and exploration
- Engage verbally more often
- Movement and touch that is gradually more enlivening
- Encourage self-efficacy
State 04
Make it more interesting
Regulated
- Enthusiastically explore variations and novelty
- Introduce nuances and complexity
- Model even more curiosity
- Celebrate what they are already doing well
- Reinforce success