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Create a calm setting or a stimulating setting through colors, lighting, and space |
Calming Sensory Bedroom
Sensory Rooms |
Pastel or neutral colors can be soothing |
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Use solid colors or simple patterns rather than busy patterns |
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Reduce clutter in the room or workspace |
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Use visual tools, such as pinwheels, bubbles, or glittersticks to redirect and calm |
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Use Yes/No cards or a Yes/No button on the iPad to allow nonverbal communication when asking the child questions when upset |
Yes/No app |
Provide a list or a helping task for the child to focus on in sensory overload environments |
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Reduce grating or irritating noises |
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Some children are more receptive to a digital voice (so recording reminders directions may be helpful), while others are bothered by a digital voice |
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Incorporate soothing sounds |
Examples:
- Nature sounds, such as the rainforest or ocean
- Instrumental music with piano, strings, or acoustic guitar
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Engaging in drumming may be helpful for redirecting emotional expression |
Communication of Emotion via Drumming Music Therapy |
Try communicating through singing (rather than speaking) comments or requests |
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Children may need to engage in movement or calm movement prior to and during homework |
Scents of lavender, vanilla, cookies, or apple may help soothe stress |
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Unpleasant scents may increase stress and irritability |
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Sense of smell may be heightened and bothersome when stressed |
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Place the child on the edge of a large group of people rather than in the middle and have an escape route ready, as crowds can quickly overload a child |
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The child may find comfort in leaning against someone or pressing into an object |
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Walk the child to each class early to reduce crowding and allow time to process sensory input in the classroom |
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Select clothing for comfort |
Examples: soft fabrics, clothes and shoes that fit a certain way (different children have different preferences), tagless clothes or neatly cut out tags in clothes, wear seamless socks
Sensory Clothes |
Provide squishy toys |
Examples: stuffed animals, clay, Play-Doh, silly putty, stress balls |
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Teach specific strategies or curriculum to help the child with sensory regulation and emotional control |
Zones of Regulation |
Use rhythmic movement to calm emotions |
Examples: walking, marching, rocking chair, swinging in a hammock
Calming Movements for Kids |
Help children express and regulate emotions through movement |
Laban Movements video |
Movement may reflect and instill emotion, so moving a child from one emotion to another through engaging in specific movements might help the child express feelings, but also may help the child transition to other feelings |
Some examples include:
- anger – sudden forward motion, stomping, clenched fists
- fear- backward movements, contracting the body
- sadness – slumped, posture, head down
- happiness – small, rhythmic jumps, sitting up tall, expansive and upward movement
Emotional Regulation Through Movement
Dance Movement Therapy |