Bringing the Peace: The Safe and Sound Protocol for Children Struggling with Self-Regulation and Listening

Are you a parent who is seeing your child struggle with the following:

• anxiety preventing them from participating fully in their day? 

• focus and attention at school and home? 

• staying calm to navigate big feelings? 

• engaging with others in their peer group? 

• Just. Not. Listening! 

Now, imagine a treatment that could help your child more effectively regulate their emotions, reduce stress, and improve their ability to listen and connect with others. Sound too good to be true? Well, its not - and we are bringing it to you!

These goals are precisely what the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) aims to achieve. Developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, SSP is a groundbreaking intervention designed to support children, particularly those who find it challenging to manage their emotions and engage with the world around them. Let us explain what the Safe and Sound Protocol is, how it works, and its potential benefits for children who face self-regulation and listening difficulties…

What is the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP)?

The Safe and Sound Protocol is grounded in the Polyvagal Theory, which posits that our autonomic nervous system plays a crucial role in regulating our emotional and physiological responses. This theory identifies three states within the autonomic nervous system: the social engagement system (Safe and Sound), the fight-or-flight response (Fight and Flight), and the shutdown response (Freeze).

The Safe and Sound Protocol aims to shift children from the fight-or-flight or shutdown response towards a state of safety and connection, allowing them to better self-regulate and engage with their environment. . . .In short: Less meltdowns, more ease!

Exactly How Does SSP Work? (The Nitty Gritty Science)

Based on Auditory Stimulation, SSP involves listening to specially designed auditory exercises through headphones. These exercises include music and human voice, carefully calibrated to stimulate the middle ear muscles. By stimulating the middle ear, SSP aims to regulate the vagus nerve, promoting a state of safety and calm.

It’s EASY! No hours out of your day focused on convincing your child to do their exercises!

How will the Safe and Sound Protocol Help My Child?

1. Improved Self-Regulation: One of the primary goals of SSP is to help children better regulate their emotional responses. By promoting a state of safety, it can reduce anxiety, anger, and hypersensitivity.

 Less tantrums, less outbursts - more fun!

2. Enhanced Listening Skills: Many children with self-regulation challenges also struggle with listening and processing information. SSP can improve their ability to attend to and understand auditory cues.

 Less “nagging”, faster getting out the door in the morning and hey, you won’t lose your voice anymore!

3. Increased Social Engagement: SSP aims to activate the social engagement system, making it easier for children to connect with others, build relationships, and develop social skills.

Friendship - it’s the best ship to sail! Imagine how nice it would be if your child had a variety of friends they could play with - instead of forcing you to be their partner for every game? Sweet, sweet quiet time! 

4. Reduced Sensory Overload: Children with sensory processing difficulties may find everyday stimuli overwhelming. SSP can help reduce hypersensitivity to sensory inputs.

 Trips to the mall or Costco without issue - how does that sound? We know you want to enjoy yourself!

5. Potential for Academic Improvement: With better self-regulation and listening skills, children may be more successful in school and other learning environments.

 There is nothing worse than constantly having to explain to your child how important it is to actually do their homework, pay attention in class and get good grades. Let the SSP help by making focus easy, and school less boring for your child!

…And parents, we HEARD you! Our goal is to create a happily, more focused and relaxed child, but we wanted to ensure we weren’t causing MORE work for you!

Our SSP program also takes into account that treatments can sometimes be BORING for kids, and constant trips to the clinic can be hard on a family’s already busy schedule! Our program focuses on a blend of both in clinic and virtual appointments - so you can spend more time focusing on how to support your child, without the hassle of adding yet another twenty appointments to your already packed calendar!

Are you ready to take the leap and provide your child the support they need to THRIVE?

Our Occupational Therapy Safe and Sound Protocol launches next week, and registration now is open!

We have just three founding packages available - so don’t miss your chance to register your child for our introductory price.

Call our clinic today and ask to speak to one of our OT Program leads to start the journey to peace, ease and fun today!

P: 403-452-6783