Episode 15: "Windows to Regulation" with Tracy Stackhouse, Occupational Therapist

Hi everyone,

Welcome to Episode # 15

Yes..... it's finally here....a new episode!!

Today I have the utmost pleasure of speaking with Tracy Stackhouse, Occupational Therapist and Executive Director at Developmental FX a non-profit organization providing clinical and training services to engage and evaluate pediatric therapeutic practice.

I loved my conversation with Tracy.  Hope you like the title of today's episode, "Windows to Regulation" and I think as you listen to our conversation, the title will make sense.   Tracy so clearly articulates the inter-connection of key models, such as Dan Siegel's "Window of Tolerance"; Bruce Perry's Neurosequential Model; Jean Ayres Sensory Integration Theory, and Interpersonal Neurobiology with the Polyvagal Theory. These models help us formulate clinical plans to facilitate co-regulation, connection, and safety in supporting SSP outcomes. I hope you all enjoy this episode. Please see below for Tracy's bio where you can learn about her work.

Here are some key points that you will learn about from our conversation:

• Using the language of  "the window of tolerance" or "river of integration" to help describe the ebb and flow, expansion, or contraction of our autonomic state and relationship to behavioral states of regulation or dysregulation
• Explains the "R's"of regulation
• exploring what is " optimal adaptation"
• flow state
• The importance of  developing "deep observation" skills or "listening" skills in the postural system, voice, body language, facial expression 
• What is the Social-Motor system?
• How Co-Regulation is key to providing the "Safe" before and during the "Sound" for SSP delivery
•  The importance of developing a comprehensive clinical plan for SSP success the SpIRiT model for reasoning and intervention planning

The components of co-regulation often need to be taught explicitly and include:

Synchrony
Mutual and Reciprocity
Mirroring
Serve and Return
Shared Affect
Repair
Following the child's lead
Nurturance
Promotion of Agency

Practitioners first develop these skills then learn how to guide families.

Tracy spoke about a treatment-intensive project she is involved in called Camp Jabiru. The camp is based on SI Theory and the neurobiology of "Safety" held in the Sydney region of Australia.

Here are links to the various projects and programs we discussed.  

Spirited Conversations Podcast

Camp Jabiru

DFX Learning Journeys:  the website will launch in a few weeks. Until then, email:  learningjourneys@developmentalfx.org

More about Tracy
Tracy Murnan Stackhouse, MA, OTR is the executive director of Developmental FX (DFX) in Denver, Colorado, a non-profit organization providing clinical and training services to engage and elevate pediatric therapeutic practice. She is a leading pediatric Occupational Therapist (OT) involved in clinical treatment, research, mentoring, and training regarding OT intervention for persons with neurodevelopmental disorders, especially Fragile X Syndrome and autism. Tracy has a master’s degree in developmental psychology/neuroscience. She received her NDT training with Lois Bly. She is SIPT Certified and was the clinical specialist in sensory integration at The Children’s Hospital in Denver as well as the OT for the Fragile X Research and Treatment Center. Tracy continued her clinical and research work with Dr. Randi Hagerman at the UC Davis M.I.N.D. Insti