ABSTRACT
This chapter begins with an introduction to state dependent functioning (Perry B. 2020a. Understanding state dependent functioning. NN COVID Series 2. Retrieved from https://youtu.be">https://youtu.be/PZg1dlskBLA) and some foundations of how our brains are impacted by stress and trauma. Readers are provided with a brief overview of the key functions of the cortex, the limbic system and the brainstem and some of the changes that result from the activation of the stress response system. Next, the authors describe the importance of learning the pathways to regulation and using this information in interactions with parents and families. Four different pathways to regulation are introduced including relational regulation, top-down approaches to regulation, bottom-up approaches to regulation (repetitive somatosensory activities) and intentional disengagement approaches to regulation. This chapter ends by describing how schools and organizations are impacted by state-based functioning reinforcing why the pathways to regulation are so critical to understand and apply in work with parents and families. Application of the concepts are described through practical examples throughout the chapter.
