# Sensory First Aid

*Adapted from NHS and CDC public-domain guidance. Free to share.*

Sensory overload happens when the brain gets more input than it can process — lights, sound, smell, textures, crowds. It can look like shutting down, snapping, crying, freezing, or leaving suddenly. It is not a tantrum, and it is not attention-seeking.

## In the moment: 5 steps

1. **Lower the input.** Move to a quieter, dimmer, less crowded spot. Offer to step outside.
2. **Ask, don't touch.** "Can I help?" Wait for a yes. Touch can amplify overload.
3. **Slow your voice.** Fewer words, longer pauses. Avoid "why" questions.
4. **Offer tools.** Water, headphones, sunglasses, a fidget, a hoodie to pull up.
5. **Wait it out.** Recovery can take minutes to hours. Sit nearby, quietly.

## Signs to watch for

- Hands over ears / eyes; hood pulled up; sudden silence.
- Repetitive movement (rocking, pacing) that intensifies.
- "I need to leave" — take it literally.
- Snapping over something small — often the last straw, not the real cause.

## What NOT to do

- Don't say "just calm down."
- Don't crowd, film, or draw a group's attention.
- Don't punish leaving — leaving is regulation.

## After

Once the person is calm, ask what helped and what didn't. Write it down together for next time — a personal "sensory plan" is powerful peer support.

## Sources

- **NHS** — Sensory issues and autism (public information).
- **CDC** — Children's Mental Health / Learn the Signs.
- **WHO** — Mental Health of Adolescents fact sheet.