Sensory Overload at School
Excessive workloads, demanding bosses, long hours, heavy workload, low salaries, crammed cubicles, job insecurity, trivial conversation and conflicts with co-workers can be stressful for anyone, especially those who are more sensitive. Whether employed in a corporate environment, a warehouse, retail store, medical field or wherever, there are ways to create calming settings.
The Stressful Scenario
- You’re jolted awake (likely) by a loud alarm. Then, you’re pushed to shower, brush your teeth, dress, eat breakfast, remember your homework and lunch, and hop in the car or get on the bus – all before 8 am.
- You arrive at school. Everyone is loud and excited, talking to their friends. Lots of overwhelming bedlam. Lockers banging, chairs scraping the floors and echoey hallways.
- Classes go on for the day, one after the other. Depending on the age, students may experience peer pressure. Are my clothes ok? Did they see something about me on social media? Is there a school event coming up? Did I make the team? Was I invited to the birthday party or sleepover? Am I going to pass this math test? Will I get picked on?
- You make it to the end of the school day and take the bus home. Kids are loud and obnoxious. Or, your parents pick you up and go on and on about their busy day. Or, is there an after-school activity? What does the rest of the evening look like?
- We don’t know what’s going on at home. Maybe it’s a single parent struggling to make ends meet, serious mental health issues, fighting or addiction problems.
How You Can Manage Sensory Overload at School
You can take the appropriate precautionary measures to prevent triggering a sensory meltdown or flight-or-fight response. Doing this promotes a healthier and more inclusive learning environment for all students.
For Parents and Caregivers
1. Pack Your Child’s Lunches
A child with sensory food aversions usually has a hyper-awareness or sensitivity to taste, textures and smells of food that leads to resistance, gagging, picky eating and meltdowns. Know what your child prefers and pack that.
2. Provide Sensory-Overload Suppressant Tools
Depending upon your child’s sensitivity, provide fidget toys, noise-cancelling headphones or earplugs, sensory socks, “chewlery” or pencil toppers kids can chew on and compression garments or weighted vests.
3. Be Communicative
Empower your child to talk with teachers when they’re experiencing a challenge and discuss potential triggers in the classroom they may encounter. Parents and caregivers should also reach out to school personnel about the situation so certain accommodations can be made.
4. Maintain a Consistent Schedule
Surprises and sudden changes in a daily routine can be a big trigger for kids. Stick to a comfortable daily routine and let your child know when you are going to experience a break from that pattern.
5. Include Sensory Breaks
Incorporating breaks into child’s daily routines helps them practice coping techniques. You might encourage kid to practice deep-breathing exercises, take a moment to be silent, get up and stretch or take a moment to be still. Sanctuary Spaces can help create an area in your home that will help your child manage better.
6. Don’t Over Schedule Activities
Cramming too many activities into a sensitive child’s day can be trigger. Guide kids to choose activities that can be easily managed or are specifically tailored to students with sensory issues.
For Teachers
1. Offer a Quiet Place to Rest
A calming location can provide the respite a child needs. Sometimes it is helpful for a sensitive child to read or listen to quiet music in a room (or even a space within the classroom) with the lights dimmed. Read more about Sanctuary Spaces and how we can provide a soothing environment here.
2. Turn Off Computers When Not in Use
Animated screen savers or flickering can be distracting and cause students to turn their attention to the screen.
3. Consider Environmental Modifications
All students benefit from a sensory-balanced environment. This will require administrative buy-in, but when you practice a universal design approach in the classroom, it helps everyone. See how Sanctuary Spaces can help here.
4. Keep Noise at a Reasonable Level
Keep earplugs or headphones available or use white noise to soften the atmosphere. Talk in a low, calm voice. If you start a lesson or activity out with a quiet, low, calm tone of voice most children will model the behavior.
5. Reduce Complicated Visuals on the Walls or Carpets
Keep decor as simple as possible, without compromising the other students’ learning opportunities.
6. Minimize Your Movements or Gestures
Stay in one place while you instruct the class so students direct their focus to that location. Avoid talking with your hands or pointing.
7. Don’t Wear Strong Perfumes or Colognes
Highly sensitive children can be triggered by intense fragrances, including synthetic air fresheners.
8. Prepare for Intense Sensory Experiences
Warn sensitive children in advance about fire drills, for example, so they can be prepared. Allow them to wear earplugs or sound-blocking headphones during the event.
9. Be Patient
Support and encourage students. Give them extra time to transition from one activity to the next or answer questions you ask.