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
- Lower the input. Move to a quieter, dimmer, less crowded spot. Offer to step outside.
- Ask, don't touch. "Can I help?" Wait for a yes. Touch can amplify overload.
- Slow your voice. Fewer words, longer pauses. Avoid "why" questions.
- Offer tools. Water, headphones, sunglasses, a fidget, a hoodie to pull up.
- 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.