Overstimulation can happen at any time to anyone and recognizing the signs and understanding coping methods are some of the best things you can do to help your children when they begin to feel overwhelmed. Overstimulation, which is sometimes called sensory overload, is something that happens when your brain has trouble processing sensory information, according to Mayo Clinic. Though children with conditions such as autism, ADHD or PTSD may experience overstimulation more frequently, it can happen to any child (or adult) and should be managed properly
Why Does Overstimulation Occur?
Overstimulation can occur for a multitude of reasons. Children may feel tired after a long day of activity, such as being at school, according to the BBC. Physically or mentally rigorous activities may also cause tiredness. When asked or given other tasks or activities to do after they are already feeling worn out, children may become overstimulated. Emotional stress can lead to a meltdown, and being exposed to lots of people or loud noises can also trigger overstimulation, according to Medical News Today.
What Are the Signs?
According to Medical News Today, overstimulation in children may manifest itself in one of these ways:
• anxiety, irritability and restlessness
• avoiding specific places or situations
• closing the eyes
• covering the face
• crying
• placing the hands over the ears
• the inability to converse with others or connect with them
• running away from specific places or situations
If your child has had an especially difficult day at school (or even a normal one), they may not be able to answer questions like they usually would, or they might seem irritated even though you haven’t necessarily done anything. Negative emotions could also lead to crying and an inability to communicate what they are feeling even if it is something they would normally be able to do.
How You Can Help
First, understand that your child may be feeling overstimulated. One mistake that parents make is believing their children are misbehaving or acting out on purpose and then disciplining them unnecessarily, according to Mayo Clinic. Understanding that your child is experiencing sensory overload and then giving them the help they need is much more effective. Try these techniques to help your child manage their sensory overload.
Give them opportunities to decompress. After a long day, most likely at school, your child might need time to decompress. The BBC suggests figuring out with your child what will work best. Maybe they need to run around to release stress and built-up tension or maybe some quiet and alone time will work better. Try a healthy snack to get them back on track. Doing activities that they enjoy such as reading or drawing can also help stop overstimulation before it starts.
Listen to their emotions and reassure them. If your child begins to get anxious or agitated, take a moment to try and understand what they are feeling. Be patient and don’t expect them to tell you what is wrong. Instead, acknowledge their feelings. “Build their emotional vocabulary and link it to the emotion – then they can tell you what they’re feeling. You can say things like ‘I want to help you. I can’t do that when you’re screaming. Let’s take a deep breath, both of us.’ Acknowledging it helps children to not feel alone,” according to the BBC.
Help them calm down during a meltdown. Ivy Rehab Network of Physical Therapists suggests “counting to ten, walking away, listening to music, or watching a calming video or reading a book.” You might also try leading them in a breathing or stretching exercise.
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