Tips for Overstimulating Your Child

When is there an overstimulated child?

Sensitive to sensory stimuli

Overstimulation in your child occurs when the brain becomes overloaded by internal and external sensory stimuli. The sensitivity to sensory stimuli is often seen in ‘sensitive’ children (and adults). There are often problems in sensory information processing.

Overstimulation and Autism / ADHD

Overstimulation can stand alone, but also often occurs in combination with autism and/or ADHD. In children who are sensitive to sensory stimuli, the so-called ‘gatekeeper’ does not work well. The gatekeeper filters incoming sensory stimuli. Stimuli that are less important are then not allowed through. For example: your child is doing sums, another child is moving his chair, the wind is blowing outside and the teacher is giving a child extra explanation, the child continues to work undisturbed.

Disturbed Sensory Information Processing

When sensory information processing goes well, it purifies the incoming stimuli and the child can focus on his sums and let the other information pass him by. However, when the gatekeeper does not work properly, it allows all (including the not important) sensory stimuli. This multitude of stimuli consisting of sounds, visual pressure and internal stimuli overload the brain, which results in an overstimulated child (also called sensory overload). Overstimulation is often seen in autism .

Children with stimulus processing problems benefit from a so-called ‘sensory diet‘. This diet can be drawn up in consultation with an SI (sensory integration) therapist. Of course, we are happy to help you on your way with these tips for your overstimulated child.

Signs that indicate an overstimulated child

Overstimulated and active

These children try to avoid stimuli or keep control.

• Is a difficult eater,
• Eats neatly, hardly spills.
• Prefers to meet up with one person and likes to be at home
• Gets upset easily when he/she has no control over the day’s activities
• Dislikes certain textures and labels in clothing
• Likes routine. Know exactly where everything is.
• Always want the same shampoo, toothpaste and lotion.
• Has a harder time falling asleep. Preferably dark room and no sounds.
• Wakes up easily from sounds

Overstimulated and passive

These children exert little influence on sensory stimuli and let them undergo the stimuli, resulting in overstimulation.

• Tries different food, but can be startled
• Meets up with more children while it is actually too busy for him/her
• Has difficulty when rules of the game are not followed, cannot respond to this and gets frustrated.
• Difficulty with labels in clothing
• Likes to have an overview, but has difficulty applying it himself
• Suffers from products with a strong odor.
• Wakes up immediately in the morning, not necessarily with a radiant mood, because he is immediately bothered by stimuli around him.

Triggers for overstimulation

• Combing hair
• Brushing teeth
• Tight clothing
• Loud noises (fireworks, thunder)
• Bright lights (camera flashes, bright sun, flash lights)
• Fragrances (perfume, scented detergent)
• Swimming in lakes
• Sticky fingers
• Labels on clothing
• Touch and hugs
• Wearing shoes and socks
  Tart or bitter foods

Useful tips when your child is overstimulated

• Let your active child do the lugging and heavy work. By that I mean let him do many things with force such as lifting the shopping bags out of the car, carrying the library books or moving stones in the garden or helping out in the garden.
• Is your child sensitive to different textures on hands and feet? Then gently introduce your child to various textures. Practice with dry textures like rice first. To challenge your child, you can hide small items in the rice such as googly eyes and pompom balls. Play together with play sand like Madmattr. Then try to handle liquids with happy senso on your child’s hands and experiment with shaving cream. And finally, you challenge your child to make slime together.
• For kids who are terrified of loud noises, organize a rain dance party. Take out the pots and let them create their own rain clatter and thunder. You can also support your child in case of extreme fear by offering a hearing protector.

• Is your child a fussy eater? Then prepare the food that your child doesn’t seem to like in a different way. So puree the vegetables.
• Does your child avoid exercise? If your child has a poor sense of space and balance, challenge your child with sports such as swimming, horseback riding or jumping on a trampoline. Or check out our motor skills toys.
• Does your child chew to regulate stimuli? Then give your child thick shakes through a straw to stimulate oral movement. Blowing bubbles and chewing on chewing jewelry are also good alternatives to offer sensory stimuli. Read our tips for children with chewing needs.
• Is your child sensitive to labels in clothing? Then cut the labels out of the clothes, don’t buy tight clothes and be careful with detergent and fabric softener, they often don’t experience that on the skin either.
• Brush your child or give your child a massage on the back or arms with the Senseez soothables or a massage ball. This helps your child to better deal with sensory stimuli.
• For children sensitive to labels, I can recommend the clothing of SAM .

Most children will not outgrow stimulus processing problems, but the symptoms of impending overstimulation can be treated with the right approach and supply of sensory stimuli. There is often a mix of sensitivity and undersensitivity to certain stimuli.

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