How to Calm a Child During a Sensory Overload

Knowing how to calm a child during a sensory overload is very important for parents. Sensory overload happens when a child feels overwhelmed. Lights, sounds, or even textures can trigger it. The child may cry, panic, or shut down completely.

In these moments, staying calm and using proven techniques can help. First, focus on the child’s comfort. Then, reduce the sensory triggers around them. Always respond with patience and care.

This article will share expert-approved tips on how to calm a child during a sensory overload. These strategies are simple, effective, and easy to try.

Whether you are at home, school, or in public, these techniques can work instantly. Let’s explore how you can make a difference for your child during stressful moments.

Sensory Overload

As parents of children with autism, we’ve all witnessed moments when sensory overload affects them. It’s a challenging experience for any child to navigate, and no parent enjoys seeing their child in discomfort or distress.

Sensory overload happens when the brain receives more sensory input than it can handle. Triggers for this can include loud noises, flashing lights, crowded rooms with multiple conversations, or even someone wearing a strong fragrance.

These situations can be particularly difficult for families, especially during holidays when activities like group gatherings or fireworks can overwhelm children with autism.

A child experiencing sensory overload may feel as though everything is happening all at once, leaving them feeling frightened and overwhelmed.

Although sensory overload can affect anyone, it is often linked to conditions like sensory processing disorder (SPD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Recognizing when your child is experiencing sensory overload is crucial. It allows you to understand them better and respond in a way that supports and soothes them effectively.

What Does Sensory Overload Mean for a Child?

Understanding sensory overload in children can be tricky, especially if they don’t have a condition like autism, sensory processing disorder, or PTSD.

As mentioned earlier, sensory overload may also happen simply because a young child’s brain is still maturing.

How Can You Recognize Sensory Overload?

Recognizing sensory overload becomes easier when you know the outward signs to watch for. If your child with autism exhibits any of the following behaviors, they might be experiencing sensory overload:

Restlessness or fidgeting
Covering their eyes or ears to block sensory input
Talking more rapidly, speaking loudly, or even becoming completely silent
Difficulty focusing on specific tasks
Jumping, spinning, or other repetitive movements
Refusing or insisting on specific clothing or foods
Showing anxiety, fear, or stress in their environment
Experiencing intense meltdowns that are hard to calm

If you notice these signs, don’t panic. It can be difficult to identify sensory overload at first.

Ways on How to Calm a Child During a Sensory Overload

It’s crucial to remember that every child is unique. This list offers some suggestions, but you’ll need to discover what works best for your child and in different situations.

Collaborating with a professional, such as an Occupational Therapist, can be very helpful. They can provide a personalized plan based on your child’s specific needs.

If you believe your child is facing sensory issues that impact their daily life, consider requesting an Occupational Therapy assessment, particularly for sensory processing concerns.

Now, here are some practical ideas on how to calm a child during a sensory overload:

1. Plan an Exit Strategy

Though not always feasible, it’s helpful to have an exit strategy in place for various environments. This is especially useful in public settings where sensory overload occurs. Does the location have a quiet or rest area where you can go? Or should you step outside and return later?

If visiting someone’s home, plan ahead by asking if there’s a calm room or even a closet your child can retreat to if necessary. For your own home, establish a designated calm-down area where your child can retreat when feeling overwhelmed.

2. Set Up a Calm Down Space or Sensory Area

As mentioned earlier, having a designated retreat space in your home or classroom can be very beneficial. Here are more ideas to help create such spaces:

When your child is calm, show them this space and let them know it’s where they can go if they start feeling sensory overload. Recognize the signs and teach them how to identify when they need a break.

Here are some resources to help:

DIY Calming Tools for Children with Sensory Disorders
Sensory-Friendly Activities
Best Activities for Children with Sensory Processing Disorders
Create a Sensory Room on Any Budget and Any Space – The Chaos & The Clutter
Sensory Room Ideas at Home – Growing Hands-On Kids
Setting Up a Soothing Sammy Corner
How to Build a School Sensory Room.

3. Teach Deep Breathing Techniques

Deep breathing can have a calming effect. You can use hand prompts or print out breathing instructions to hang in the sensory space for your child to follow.

Here’s a helpful post on teaching relaxation breathing: Relaxation Breathing: A Powerful Tool – The OT Toolbox.

4. Read a Book

Taking time to read can be a great way to pause and reset. A lot of children love reading, and it’s often their go-to activity when needing a break. Even younger children or those struggling with reading can benefit by looking at picture books.

Here are a few favorites:

5. Use Noise-Canceling Headphones or Play Music

Noise-canceling headphones can be a lifesaver in overwhelming environments, especially if loud or constant noise is a trigger.

For music, choose calming, slow, rhythmic tunes that help the body relax. Avoid fast-paced music, as it may create more overload. Keep various options available to find what works best for your child.

6. Help Children Recognize Sensory Overload

This skill should be developed when your child isn’t overwhelmed. Teaching them to recognize when their body feels sensory overload can empower them to self-advocate. The more they understand their bodies, the better they can regulate their responses.

“When I Feel Sensory Overload Workbook” helps children understand their sensory experiences and how to manage them.

7. Offer Deep Pressure Through Hugs or Heavy Work

Proprioceptive input, or deep pressure, can be incredibly soothing for many children during sensory overload. This can include a firm hug (if the child asks), rolling up in a blanket, or engaging in “heavy work” activities.

For more ideas on deep pressure, check out these resources:

While there are many more techniques, this list provides a strong starting point. For even more tips, there is a book specifically about sensory processing. You can explore Sensory Processing Explained: A Handbook for Parents and Educators for additional strategies to manage sensory overload.

8 Coping Strategies on How to Calm a Child During a Sensory Overload

1. Recognize Early Signs and Identify Triggers

Watch for signs of distress in your child caused by sensory triggers. Are they covering their ears or eyes? Are they acting restless or refusing certain foods?

Encourage your child to express what’s causing them to feel upset, frustrated, or overwhelmed. This helps you understand their needs better and pinpoint situations that should be avoided in the future.

2. Learn to De-escalate and Avoid Overreacting

When a child faces sensory overload, they might react aggressively or have a meltdown. It’s natural to be concerned, but overreacting can worsen the situation. At that moment, they are already overwhelmed, and reacting emotionally can increase their stress.

Instead,

Give them space to calm down.
Use minimal words or no words at all, reducing sensory input to help them settle.
Provide their favorite calming activities or objects, like music, a book, or a short break.
Try sensory regulation toys to help ground them.

3. Accommodate Your Child’s Preferences

Supporting your child through sensory overload might involve adjusting their environment and activities. For example, when out in public, make sure they’re not overwhelmed by too much sensory input:

Avoid crowded places.
Plan shopping trips ahead of time to make them quicker.
Use protective gear like sunglasses when outside.

When socializing,

Choose a quiet setting.
Meet friends one-on-one.
Feed and rest your child well before outings.
You might also try adopting the “Joy of Missing Out” (JOMO) if you’re a social person; it’s challenging but rewarding in the long run.

4. Eliminate Sources of Low Tolerance

Managing sensory overload isn’t just about avoiding triggers outside the home; it also involves ensuring your child’s basic needs are met. Make sure they’re well-rested, hydrated, and well-fed.

Even a neurotypical child becomes irritable when hungry or tired, so removing these irritants will make it easier for your child to handle sensory overload.

5. Consider Therapy

Sensory Integration Therapy (SIT) helps children with sensory processing difficulties. This therapy, conducted by trained occupational therapists, introduces stimuli in a controlled, play-based way to desensitize the child over time.

The therapist might modify the room, using techniques like soundproofing or adjusting visual stimuli, to create a supportive environment.

6. Minimize Visual Stimulation

If you’re not personally affected by sensory overload, you might not notice visual triggers in your child’s environment. To reduce overwhelm at home, consider these simple adjustments:

Remove excessive items from the walls or ceilings.
Store small objects in bins that are labeled and organized.
Use dimmer bulbs instead of bright ones.
Install blackout curtains or shades to reduce light exposure.

7. Allow Time for Recovery

Sensory overload can be draining, and recovery can take from minutes to hours. After an episode, your child might need time alone or want to engage in calming activities like listening to music, watching a relaxing video, or just counting to ten. Understanding that your child needs time to recover reassures you that they will return to their usual self soon.

8. Consider Medication

Though not always necessary, medication can help manage sensory overload in children with autism. Some antipsychotic medications, like Abilify (aripiprazole) or Risperdal (risperidone), may be prescribed to reduce irritability and aggression.

If your child also shows signs of ADHD, medications such as Strattera (atomoxetine), Ritalin (methylphenidate), or Tenex (guanfacine) may be helpful.

Why Misinterpretation Happens

Parents and caregivers often misread these symptoms as simple “bad behavior” until they gain a better understanding of what’s going on. Learning to correctly interpret these signs is crucial because it equips caregivers to meet the child’s needs more effectively.

You’ve discovered that your child is experiencing sensory overload. Perhaps you even recognize the triggers. However, when your child is actively in the middle of sensory overload, you might feel unsure about how to assist them. In this guide, we have shared practical tips on how to calm a child during a sensory overload in an effective way.

If you’re not familiar with sensory overload or its signs, take a look at this post here: Signs of Sensory Overload.

After identifying your child’s sensory triggers, it’s crucial to create a plan to support them during episodes of sensory overload. While knowing the triggers can help, it doesn’t guarantee that sensory overload can always be avoided.

However, having a strategy to address it can make a significant difference. It allows you to shift from feeling helpless in the moment to actively working toward calmness and regulation.

Coping with Sensory Overload

While there isn’t a direct cure for sensory overload, there are many effective strategies to help your child manage or even avoid these overwhelming situations.

Helping a child during sensory overload takes practice, but it can be done. Simple techniques, like reducing noise or offering a quiet space, make a big difference. Remember to stay calm and focused on their needs.

Always look for signs of sensory overload early. This allows you to take action before it gets worse. Every child is unique, so try different techniques to find what works best.

It’s completely normal for parents to worry when their child with autism faces sensory overload. However, the good news is that there are effective coping strategies that can make a big difference.

By recognizing distress signals, carefully planning social outings, reducing visual stimuli, and giving your child time to recover, you are helping them lead a happier, healthier, and more fulfilling life.

We hope these expert tips on how to calm a child during a sensory overload help you and your child. Share this article with other parents. Together, we can support children and create a more understanding world!

Blooming Early Years