What is the Alert Program?

The Alert Program, also known as “How Does Your Engine Run?”, is an occupational therapy intervention developed by Mary Sue Williams and Sherry Shellenberger. This evidence-based program assists individuals, especially children with self-regulation difficulties, in monitoring and adjusting their arousal states. Using the analogy of a car engine, the program describes three main levels of alertness: low (like a slow-moving car), optimal (like a well-tuned engine), and high (like a racing car). By recognizing their current “engine level,” kids can employ strategies to shift their alertness to a more appropriate state for the task at hand.

Resources:

• The Alert Program Website: The official site of the Alert Program, featuring resources, training opportunities, and products for parents, educators, and therapists.
• Understood.org: The Alert Program: What You Need to Know: A comprehensive overview of the Alert Program, including its benefits, key components, and how it can help children with learning and thinking differences.
• American Occupational Therapy Association: Maintaining Optimal Alertness for Learning: An article discussing the importance of self-regulation for learning and how occupational therapists use the Alert Program to support children’s success in school.