Occupational Therapy for Emotional Regulation in Phnom Penh: Helping Children Manage Big Feelings

Does your child have frequent meltdowns, sudden mood swings, or trouble calming down? Emotional outbursts may seem like defiance or misbehavior, but often they’re signs that a child is struggling with emotional regulation—the ability to manage feelings, behaviors, and reactions.

At OrbRom Center in Phnom Penh, our occupational therapy program helps children develop the tools they need to regulate their emotions, stay calm under stress, and function better at home, in school, and with peers.

What Is Emotional Regulation?

Emotional regulation is the ability to:

• Recognize and name feelings (like frustration, fear, or excitement)

• Understand triggers and responses

• Pause before reacting

• Use coping strategies to stay in control

These are essential skills for success in everyday life. However, for children with autism, ADHD, sensory processing difficulties, or developmental delays, regulation is often harder—and needs to be taught intentionally through therapy.

Read more: What Is Emotional Disturbance?

Signs Your Child May Need Help With Regulation

You may notice:

• Frequent tantrums or meltdowns over small changes

• Trouble calming down after being upset

• Aggression or physical outbursts

• Anxiety or fear in new environments

• Withdrawal or shutdowns when overwhelmed

• Difficulty following routines or transitioning between tasks

If these patterns are impacting school performance or family life, occupational therapy can help identify underlying causes and teach practical strategies for self-regulation.

How Occupational Therapy Supports Emotional Regulation

At OrbRom Center, our licensed OTs take a holistic approach. We start by identifying sensory triggers, communication gaps, and motor challenges that may affect emotional control. Then, we develop an individualized plan that includes:

• Sensory regulation activities (swinging, deep pressure, vibration)

• Visual schedules and timers to reduce anxiety and increase predictability

• Body-based techniques like breathing, movement breaks, or weighted items

• Cognitive-behavioral tools for identifying emotions and planning responses

• Play-based strategies for learning social and emotional skills

Therapy is designed to be engaging and empowering, helping children feel more in control of their bodies and minds.

Explore related tools: Vibrating Pillows for Sensory Regulation

The Link Between Sensory Processing and Emotional Outbursts

Many emotional meltdowns are not purely behavioral—they stem from sensory overload. A child may cry or act out because:

• Lights are too bright

• A shirt feels scratchy

• Noise is too loud

• Transitions happen too quickly

Occupational therapy addresses these issues with sensory integration techniques that calm the nervous system and prevent escalation.

Learn more: Sensory Diet Plans for Home and School

Teaching Self-Regulation at Home

Parents play a crucial role in reinforcing regulation strategies. At OrbRom, we provide:

• Coaching for using calming tools (like weighted blankets or fidget items)

• Emotion labeling games and charts

• Daily practice routines with visual supports

• Consistency plans across home and school environments

See: Facial Expression Learning for Emotional Awareness

The goal is to help children not only control behavior—but also understand it.

Why Choose OrbRom Center?

OrbRom Center in Phnom Penh offers:

• Trained occupational therapists with expertise in self-regulation

• Sensory rooms designed to calm and support emotional growth

• Integration with speech therapy to support emotional expression

• Bilingual therapy sessions (Khmer-English)

• Personalized plans for home and school carryover

We help children turn their “big feelings” into manageable steps—so they can participate more fully in everyday life.

Final Thoughts: Big Emotions Need Big Support

Emotional regulation doesn’t always come naturally, but it can be learned—with the right tools, support, and compassionate guidance. At OrbRom Center, our occupational therapy programs help children in Phnom Penh build calm, confidence, and resilience—one step at a time.

Start occupational therapy for emotional regulation at OrbRom Center