Window of Capacity and The Waves of Regulation with Nikki Smit OT

**Understanding the Waves of Regulation with Nikki Smit OT | Co-Regulation, Nervous Systems & Neurodivergent Well-Being** In this episode of The Unfiltered Autistic Podcast, Amanda McGuinness is joined by Nikki Smit, a neurodivergent Occupational Therapist, speaker, educator, and creator of the Waves of Regulation framework. Together, they explore a compassionate understanding of regulation, moving beyond the idea that regulation simply means being calm. Nikki explains how regulation is about feeling safe and connected to our experience while managing the energy in our bodies and brains. Drawing on neuroscience, sensory health, trauma-sensitive practice, and lived experience, she shares practical insights for parents, educators, therapists, and support professionals supporting neurodivergent children, young people, and adults. The conversation explores co-regulation, nervous system attunement, emotional capacity, resilience, sensory health, and the importance of authentic connection. Nikki also introduces her powerful Waves of Regulation resource, which supports adults to understand regulation through a more compassionate and reflective lens. Topics discussed include: • Understanding regulation beyond calmness • The Waves of Regulation framework and practical application • Co-regulation and the science of human connection • Nervous system regulation and neuroception • The Window of Capacity and emotional flexibility • Match, Mirror, Move and authentic attunement • Mirror neurons and nervous system tracking • Stress stacking and cumulative overwhelm • Repair, resilience, and relational safety • Supporting neurodivergent children at home and in school • Sensory health, wellbeing, and emotional regulation • The role of parents, educators, therapists, and other helping professionals **Key Quotes:** "Regulation is about feeling safe and connected." "Feelings go up, peak, and come down." "Use your body to mirror and validate feelings." Nikki Smit - Instagram Nikki Smit is a neurodivergent occupational therapist, speaker, and educator with over fifteen years of clinical experience. Based in Singapore and working globally, her work sits at the intersection of nervous system regulation, sensory health, neurodiversity-affirming practice, and trauma-sensitive care. She is interested in the capacity to stay present as experiences rise and fall, and in wellbeing as something dynamic and relational, grounded in dignity and curiosity rather than calm or compliance. Her work is shaped as much by her own lived experience as by relational neuroscience and sensory health, and she helps people make sense of why they respond the way they do, and what genuinely supports them. Nikki works with children, adults, and families, as well as the practitioners who support them, and speaks, writes, and mentors internationally. Her mentoring work extends beyond occupational therapy and clinical practice, supporting professionals across a wide range of helping professions who are seeking deeper understanding of themselves, their work, and the relational aspects of supporting others. To learn more about Nikki's work, explore her Waves of Regulation resource, follow her on Instagram @nikkismittherapy, and subscribe to her free newsletter. Whether you are a parent, educator, therapist, helping professional, autistic adult, or someone interested in understanding regulation more deeply, this episode offers practical strategies and powerful insights that can transform how you think about wellbeing, connection, and support. Keywords: Nikki Smit, Waves of Regulation, regulation, co-regulation, neurodivergent, neurodiversity, Autism, Autistic, sensory processing, sensory health, nervous system regulation, neuroception, trauma-sensitive practice, occupational therapy, emotional regulation, wellbeing, parenting neurodivergent children