08/06/2026
Regulation programs often point in just one direction. Calm down, get back to green, get your engine running just right.
Different programs, all with the same underlying message: that you must always stay calm, and when your body does not match what the adults around you expect or prefer, it is your job to fix it.
But, being calm isn't always the goal.
Dr. Jacquelyn Fede and Dr. Amy Laurent of Autism Level UP joined the Think Sensory Summit to talk about regulation from an energy perspective, why every energy level has a place, and why shifting the conversation away from emotions opens the door for a lot of kids who have never been able to get in.
For people who do not connect with emotion words, energy can offer a more concrete and accessible way to understand what is happening in their bodies. Jac and Amy explain their energy framework and how it helps children notice the energy they have, identify the energy they need for a particular moment, and explore what might help when the two do not match.
They also challenge the idea that the person should always be the one expected to change. Sometimes a strategy may help shift energy. Other times, the task, expectation, environment, or timing may need to change instead.
Throughout the session, they explore how the same energy can look completely different in different bodies, why every energy level belongs somewhere in the day, and how energy tools can be adapted using words, pictures, objects, or fewer levels so they are genuinely accessible to the person using them.
They also share practical ways to bring this approach into classrooms and therapy spaces, including helping children discover what energy supports their learning, involving them in choosing strategies, and creating a culture where different bodies and different needs are expected rather than corrected.
You’ll leave with a more flexible way to think about regulation, practical language for talking about energy with kids, without forcing emotion labels, and tools for helping children understand what works for their own bodies.
You’re also going to laugh a lot. Jac and Amy are hilarious, and their dynamic makes this one of my personal favorite sessions from the summit.
Amy Laurent, PhD, OTR/L, is a developmental psychologist, registered pediatric occupational therapist, and co-author of the SCERTS Model. Her work focuses on energy regulation, active engagement, neurodiversity, and supporting different ways of being.
Jacquelyn Fede, PhD, is an autistic advocate, developmental psychologist, and program evaluator whose work focuses on autism, community engagement, and creating supports grounded in autistic people’s actual experiences. Together, Jac and Amy are the team behind Autism Level Up.
You can watch Jac and Amy’s session by registering for The Think Sensory Summit, a FREE four-day event happening November 16–19, 2026, for therapists, educators, and parents supporting neurodivergent kids.
Watch for free during the event, or upgrade to the All-Access Pass to keep every session and watch it anytime.
Don’t want to wait? We JUST added Jac and Amy’s session to the early access list so it's available NOW with the All-Access Pass!
Link to register is in the comments!
