Everyone gets overstimulated from time to time. It could be over external stimulations like sound, light, and crowded spaces, or internal ones like stress and anxiety. However, it’s our reaction to the stimuli that differentiates people. While the reaction might simply be withdrawing or taking a nap for others, children with autism, PTSD, or other conditions might find it more difficult to handle, resulting in more extreme behaviors or meltdowns. As a parent, it’s important to understand that your child’s reactions are unique to their sensory experience and neurological makeup. Recognizing these differences is the first step toward helping them feel safe and supported. And while their reactions are peculiar to their condition, they can always get better. Here are some of the best tips for managing this struggle and helping your child live a more normal life.
What Is Sensory Overload, and Why Does It Happen?
Sensory overload is a condition in which a person receives more input from their five senses than they can process. Imagine being on a crowded bus with people brushing past you, car horns blaring outside, the rumble of the engine beneath your feet, and a mix of strong perfumes filling the air. Add a bit of stress to the mix, and suddenly, it feels like every sound, smell, and touch is magnified. That overwhelming sensation is exactly what sensory overload feels like. Anyone can experience it, but it feels worse for people with special conditions.
A child with autism may experience sensory overload when they’re in crowded spaces, anxious, scared, and not at ease. It’s a completely normal occurrence for them and can present in different ways. Sensory overload is often displayed by certain behaviors, such as:
- Increased movements, like jumping or spinning
- Difficulty focusing
- Closing eyes or covering the face
- Anxiety
- Placing hands on their ears
- Running or hiding
Children with autism have different coping mechanisms for sensory overload. One that is quite recurrent is stimming. Stimming is a self-stimulatory behavior that often involves repetitive movements, sounds, or actions that help regulate sensory or emotional output. It could include actions like hand flapping, pacing, repeating words, and several others. It’s basically an outlet for autistic children, and it could also be a telltale sign that your child is suffering from sensory overload. To understand this better, see the Lighthouse Autism Center’s article on what is stimming and why your child does it.
Practical Tips to Mitigate Sensory Overload in Children
Catching sensory overload early can allow for intervention before it escalates. We’ve listed some symptoms that you might notice, and what to watch out for.
Provide a Sensory-Friendly Environment
This tip is not to say you should keep your child from being in crowded spaces. This might work momentarily, but it’s never a long-term solution because they grow up and will eventually have to find a way to relate to their environment. The point here is to provide tools and essentials that can help them cope better in such environments. This includes support tools like fidgets, chewables, sunglasses, noise filters, and anything that can help limit the overstimulation in public spaces.
Learn to De-escalate the Situation
There are cases where your child might become verbally and physically aggressive while having a meltdown. It’s normal to be concerned, but how you react can either make it better or worse. The last thing a child needs when experiencing sensory overload is you stirring drama or being erratic. What is needed in this case is a sense of calm and quiet, and you should be the source of that. It’s your job to de-escalate the situation. So, instead, give them a little space, use simple language or no words at all, or play a calming video.
Teach and Model Self-Regulation Skills
Helping your child manage sensory overload isn’t only about adjusting their environment; it also involves teaching them how to recognize and regulate their own reactions. Self-regulation is the ability to notice when you’re getting overwhelmed and learning how to use strategies to calm your body and mind. Some of the ways to do this are through:
- Practicing calming techniques together
- Building a sensory toolbox
- Using self-talk and visual cues
- Gradual exposure to support
Consult With Professionals
Sensory integration therapy is one of the professional solutions to consider. This treatment is designed to help people with sensory processing issues and give training that could improve their coping mechanisms. Surely, a professional therapist knows better ways to handle this, so it could also be an option to consider if you’ve not been making progress with home interventions. There are also certain medications that can help, but it’s up to your therapist to decide whether your child would benefit from them.
Parental Guidance Makes a Difference
Being attentive to your child’s needs and responses can save them from a lot of potential problems, and early intervention can also make a world of difference. Pay attention to their behaviors, help them through the episodes, and seek professional advice if needed. Autistic children can absolutely live fulfilled lives; you might just need to dedicate more time and resources to their upbringing.
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