The Vagus Nerve & Regulation Skills

Jun 16

Woman seated with hand resting near collarbone, illustrating calm body awareness and regulation.

By Jessica Jordan, MS. OTR/L

What Is the Vagus Nerve?

Oh Vagus. No, not Vegas—the city of lights, endless sensory input, delicious food, and where inhibition goes out the window—but rather the miraculous vagus nerve. The vagus nerve is the 10th cranial nerve (labeled CN X). It’s the longest cranial nerve in the body and the main anatomical component of the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) (Pinna and Edwards, 2020). The vagus nerve is pretty darn cool and has both sensory and motor connections, as well as parasympathetic and sympathetic divisions.

Why the Vagus Nerve Matters for Regulation

The scope of the vagus nerve has recently been discussed, with new research suggesting it plays a much broader role than just visceral functions. For this conversation, I’d like to share why the vagus nerve is so important for therapy purposes. As mentioned previously, the vagus nerve is directly linked to the PNS, which plays a major role in regulating our heart rate. If we can find direct ways to activate the vagus nerve—slowing down an accelerating heart—then we can assist someone with self-regulating!

Simple Vagal Maneuvers to Try in Therapy

At the recent 2022 Autism Symposium hosted by PESI, Dr. Gibs listed the following vagal maneuvers. These techniques can be incorporated into therapy sessions, especially occupational therapy, to help immediately activate the vagal response:

Using straws & whistles
Gentle eyelid and ear massage
Trumpet breathing

Supporting Self-Regulation Through the Mind-Body Connection

Self-regulation is more than just a single exercise—it’s a process that involves body awareness, emotional insight, and intentional support. One of the foundational pieces is developing a strong mind-body connection, and that’s exactly where occupational therapy can help. Whether through playful vagal activities or personalized regulation strategies, we’re here to support each individual’s unique nervous system.

If you try any of these vagus nerve techniques, we’d love to hear how they worked for you—or how your child responded!

Helpful Links

Was this post helpful or did it spark your curiosity? If you’re looking for deeper support, we’ve created a course and curated resources to help families, caregivers, and professionals better understand the motor and regulation challenges many nonspeaking and apraxic autistic individuals experience.

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