Sometimes a child can feel that everything is becoming too much.
They might feel stuck.
Restless.
Overwhelmed.
Unable to focus.
Unable to get started.
Or they might simply know “something doesn’t feel right” without being able to explain what it is.
And then we ask:
“What’s wrong?”
“What do you need?”
“What would help?”
But answering those questions requires the very skills that may already be difficult to access in that moment.
The Regulation Response System gives children a visual way to work through it.
Designed with Autistic children, children with ADHD and other neurodivergent children in mind, this child-led card system supports regulation, communication and executive functioning by helping children identify what's happening and choose a response that feels manageable for them.
The system begins with:
“What’s happening now?”
From there, the child can explore different types of support depending on what their brain and body may need.
Rather than expecting them to remember a strategy, explain everything verbally or work out the next step completely on their own, the cards provide concrete visual options they can choose from.
🔵 Focus & Start
For those moments when getting started feels impossible.
These cards provide visual options that can help reduce the executive functioning load around beginning, focusing and working out what comes next.
🟢 Movement
Sometimes the body needs to move before the brain is ready for anything else.
Movement options give children a way to recognise and respond to that need.
🟣 Sensory
For moments when sensory input may be contributing to overwhelm or when particular sensory input could feel regulating.
These cards provide concrete sensory options the child can explore.
🩷 Ask & Express
Sometimes the most important next step is communicating something.
These cards support children to express a need, ask for support or communicate what may be difficult to put into words.
A child can want to do something and still be unable to get started.
They can know what they're supposed to do and still feel completely stuck.
They can know strategies that usually help and still be unable to remember or access them when they're overwhelmed.
That's where visual support can make a difference.
The Regulation Response System moves some of that thinking out of their head and onto the cards in front of them.
Instead of having to generate an answer from nothing, the child has options they can see, process and choose from.
This isn't a reward system.
It isn't a consequence system.
And it isn't designed to make a child comply.
The child is the one using the system.
The goal is to give them greater access to their own regulation strategies, communication and choices — while adults can support without immediately taking over or deciding what the child “should” need.
The Regulation Response System can be used:
At home.
In classrooms.
During homework or learning.
During transitions.
When getting started feels difficult.
During periods of overwhelm or dysregulation.
In regulation or sensory spaces.
During therapy and support sessions.
Anywhere a child may benefit from visual support to work out their next step.
Designed with Autistic children, children with ADHD and other neurodivergent children in mind, particularly children who experience challenges with executive functioning, regulation, sensory processing, communication or getting started.
Suitable for families, educators, education assistants, occupational therapists, psychologists, speech pathologists, support workers and other professionals supporting neurodivergent children.
32 visual response cards.
Includes the “What’s happening now?” starting card.
Four colour-coded support areas:
🔵 Focus & Start
🟢 Movement
🟣 Sensory
🩷 Ask & Express
Practical visual format.
Designed for repeated use across home, school and therapy environments.
Because sometimes “I don't know what to do” isn't about not wanting to do anything.
Sometimes their brain needs the next step to become visible.
The Regulation Response System helps put those options in front of them. 🩵
Disclaimer: The Regulation Response System is an educational regulation, communication and executive function support resource. It is not intended to provide medical, psychological, therapeutic or diagnostic advice and does not replace individualised assessment, treatment or support from qualified health, education or allied health professionals. Regulation and executive functioning needs vary between children, and not every strategy or response will be appropriate for every child.
Neuro Nest Co.®
© 2026 Neuro Nest Co. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from Neuro Nest Co.
Sometimes a child can feel that everything is becoming too much.
They might feel stuck.
Restless.
Overwhelmed.
Unable to focus.
Unable to get started.
Or they might simply know “something doesn’t feel right” without being able to explain what it is.
And then we ask:
“What’s wrong?”
“What do you need?”
“What would help?”
But answering those questions requires the very skills that may already be difficult to access in that moment.
The Regulation Response System gives children a visual way to work through it.
Designed with Autistic children, children with ADHD and other neurodivergent children in mind, this child-led card system supports regulation, communication and executive functioning by helping children identify what's happening and choose a response that feels manageable for them.
The system begins with:
“What’s happening now?”
From there, the child can explore different types of support depending on what their brain and body may need.
Rather than expecting them to remember a strategy, explain everything verbally or work out the next step completely on their own, the cards provide concrete visual options they can choose from.
🔵 Focus & Start
For those moments when getting started feels impossible.
These cards provide visual options that can help reduce the executive functioning load around beginning, focusing and working out what comes next.
🟢 Movement
Sometimes the body needs to move before the brain is ready for anything else.
Movement options give children a way to recognise and respond to that need.
🟣 Sensory
For moments when sensory input may be contributing to overwhelm or when particular sensory input could feel regulating.
These cards provide concrete sensory options the child can explore.
🩷 Ask & Express
Sometimes the most important next step is communicating something.
These cards support children to express a need, ask for support or communicate what may be difficult to put into words.
A child can want to do something and still be unable to get started.
They can know what they're supposed to do and still feel completely stuck.
They can know strategies that usually help and still be unable to remember or access them when they're overwhelmed.
That's where visual support can make a difference.
The Regulation Response System moves some of that thinking out of their head and onto the cards in front of them.
Instead of having to generate an answer from nothing, the child has options they can see, process and choose from.
This isn't a reward system.
It isn't a consequence system.
And it isn't designed to make a child comply.
The child is the one using the system.
The goal is to give them greater access to their own regulation strategies, communication and choices — while adults can support without immediately taking over or deciding what the child “should” need.
The Regulation Response System can be used:
At home.
In classrooms.
During homework or learning.
During transitions.
When getting started feels difficult.
During periods of overwhelm or dysregulation.
In regulation or sensory spaces.
During therapy and support sessions.
Anywhere a child may benefit from visual support to work out their next step.
Designed with Autistic children, children with ADHD and other neurodivergent children in mind, particularly children who experience challenges with executive functioning, regulation, sensory processing, communication or getting started.
Suitable for families, educators, education assistants, occupational therapists, psychologists, speech pathologists, support workers and other professionals supporting neurodivergent children.
32 visual response cards.
Includes the “What’s happening now?” starting card.
Four colour-coded support areas:
🔵 Focus & Start
🟢 Movement
🟣 Sensory
🩷 Ask & Express
Practical visual format.
Designed for repeated use across home, school and therapy environments.
Because sometimes “I don't know what to do” isn't about not wanting to do anything.
Sometimes their brain needs the next step to become visible.
The Regulation Response System helps put those options in front of them. 🩵
Disclaimer: The Regulation Response System is an educational regulation, communication and executive function support resource. It is not intended to provide medical, psychological, therapeutic or diagnostic advice and does not replace individualised assessment, treatment or support from qualified health, education or allied health professionals. Regulation and executive functioning needs vary between children, and not every strategy or response will be appropriate for every child.
Neuro Nest Co.®
© 2026 Neuro Nest Co. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from Neuro Nest Co.
