Seeds
Quilt
Haven
Blog by Alex Kronstein, a Self-Reg Foundations Certificate Program alumni.
Alex Kronstein is an autistic advocate in the neurodiversity movement who advocates against seclusion and restraint in schools and recently completed the Self-Reg Foundations program.
The Foundations 2 course was certainly heavier than Foundations 1, but it was still incredibly useful. The 5 domains have definitely been something new for me, but I think I understand them a lot better now.
Dynamic Systems Theory (DST) and the Role of Environment
What was especially new to me was Dynamic Systems Theory (DST) – I had literally never heard of that before. A major thing discussed in this course is how genetics aren’t the only thing that determine our behaviour – our environment and experiences play an even bigger role.
The Emotion Domain: Stress Cycles and Hardwired Responses
When discussing the emotion domain, it was mentioned that physical and emotional responses can intensify each other during stress cycles, which is absolutely accurate. It was also discussed that basic emotions are hardwired into us.
The Cognitive Domain: Attentional Control, Super-Stimulants, and IQ Myths
During the discussion of the cognitive domain, the discussion on attentional control and capture was particularly notable. Because when we think about why kids who seem unmotivated are prone to getting hooked on video games or junk food, that ties right back to the discussion on super-stimulants from Foundations 1.
Other things related to the cognitive domain…..attentional problems are not always due to a lack of effort. And IQ tests are NOT an accurate reflection of a kid’s intelligence (I’ve known that for many years)!
The Social Domain: Parenting Styles and Cultural Messages
During the discussion of the social domain, it was very helpful to hear about Diana Baumrind’s categories of authoritarian, authoritative, and permissive parenting. One particular standout, for me anyway, was when Stuart made reference to “a very popular television show in which parents are castigated on camera for slipping into that dreaded permissive parent”. I think we all know that’s a reference to Supernanny – and I could write multiple essays on why that show is the WORST!
The Prosocial Domain: Compassion Fatigue and Burnout
The most significant part of Foundations 2, however, was, for me, the prosocial domain. It’s definitely a huge game-changer. It’s important to feel injustice about restraint, seclusion, and other behaviourist practices, but it can also be very energy-draining. And the prosocial domain is taking on the stress of others when we do that. And for folks who dedicate their work to helping others, they can become drained and burnt out very quickly. So we need to be careful not to let ourselves get consumed with it.
Final Takeaway: Explaining the 5 Steps of Self-Reg
Last but definitely not least, the final takeaway from Foundations 2 is that I can finally give a decent explanation of the 5 steps of Self-Reg!
So all told, Foundations 2 was definitely more challenging, but it was extremely helpful all the same.