Does your child act out at school or simply refusing to go? It could be sensory overload

Does your child act out at school or simply refusing to go? It could be sensory overload

Has your little one been acting out at school or even started refusing to go to school? It may be sensory overload. 


Imagine your senses fill up like a cup - every sound, light, smell, and touch is water that fills the cup. Once all of the senses keep flowing, your cup is now overflowed.


This is what sensory overload is. 


It is your brain having its capacity overloaded with all of your heightened senses. When the brain's processing centre overheats (overflows like the cup analogy), it is like a computer's circuit overheating and increased anxiety. 


The brain's signals are sending out pain signals like the calm outside of the storm. 


By the end of the school day, your little one's energy is probably drained and then they either start acting out due to their brain's processing centre overheating or saying they're tired (because the sensory overload is pretty exhausting!).


Heightened senses at school could be lunch time chaos, the noise of general classmate chatter, unexpected sounds, the school bell, fluorescent lighting, visual clutter in the classroom, social pressure overload, masking to fit in and then the afterschool crash to let it all out. 

Warning signs of sensory overload:

  1. increased fidgeting
  2. facial tension
  3. covering eyes or ears
  4. tapping or rocking
  5. rapid breathing
  6. falling asleep
  7. withdrawal
  8. irritability 

Strategies to reduce sensory overload

Noise reducing tools - we use EMS headphones, as well as Flare Calmer earplugs. 

Visuals - we use a weekly calendar (with personalised magnets) to reduce visual noise

Predictable routines - consistent schedules and routines act like an anchor among all the chaos

Movement breaks - short and intentional breaks help reset the nervous system

Safe spaces - a quiet safe space (in a tent) or a quiet corner where they can decompress

Emotional co-regulation - this one is a key one: a calm and regulated parent who acts as a steady anchor among the chaos will help quiet their internal storm 

Be flexible - ensure they have choice and autonomy in ways they are able to participate 

If you want to know more about the strategies we've implemented, feel free to reach out and ask :)

 

 

 

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