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Real members of MyAutismTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

What do you do to unwind and de-escalate your child when they are overstimulated?

A MyAutismTeam Member asked a question 💭
Montgomery, IL

My son gets overstimulated by events and activities that are out of his regular routine. Even if the activity is enjoyable for him it can affect him for hours or days afterwards. For instance, he went to see the fireworks and all day today he regressed to doing many hyper behaviors and stims I haven't seen in a long time. He wasn't as focused and attentive as usual. My son finds swimming highly de-escalating in these situations as it is sensory soothing rather than over exciting. I don't have… read more

July 5, 2012
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Answer Summary

Members discussed strategies for helping their overstimulated autistic children de-escalate after exciting events or routine changes, with... Read more

Members discussed strategies for helping their overstimulated autistic children de-escalate after exciting events or routine changes, with many acknowledging that what works varies by child and even by day. Several members shared practical tools that have helped, including creating sensory-friendly spaces with trampolines and dim lighting, using deep pressure techniques like rolling children into blankets, playing calming music, brushing with special soft-bristle brushes, joint compressions, weighted blankets, exercise ball pressure on the back, spinning in circles, tickling, and transitioning through medium-activity sensory play before moving to quiet activities like coloring or reading. A recurring theme was the emotional weight of feeling helpless when nothing soothes a child, balanced by the hope that comes from discovering what uniquely works for each individual child through patient trial and experimentation.

A MyAutismTeam Member

It's always a crapshoot. We try deep pressure or have our son swing on the swing set. If he's not in the mood for deep pressure, we just have to let him ride the wave. It's so hard for all of us. We have a spare bedroom that we turned into his 'mancave'. It has a trampoline and beanbags as well as dim lighting. He doesn't always like to retreat in there either. To be honest, sometimes I feel like we're being held hostage because there are times when nothing we do will soothe him. Sometimes, I try to tell him about something good that's going to happen - like a trip to his Nana's or maybe we're having something he likes for dinner. I feel like I haven't answered your question at all. Whoever thought about making the puzzle the symbol for autism was a genius.

July 6, 2012
A MyAutismTeam Member

After high stimulation and sensory overload sometimes nothing helps but we do Inbetween time and then Calm time for Ellie Bean. Inbetween time is stuff like swaying to soothing music, swinging, bouncing a balloon, mashing play dough and doing other medium physical things that aren't too hyper. Another helpful thing is sensory walking like stepping on or over or through hoops, big stones, logs, rails, steps, sand, crunchy leaves or doing a backyard obstacle course. Then we destress more by changing to Calm time. That's things like coloring, storybooks, rocking, and anything else that's very low physical activity. When it works it's almost magic.

July 6, 2012
A MyAutismTeam Member

Music has seemed to help for Patrick. He loves opera. He goes into his room and turns on his opera CD

July 20, 2012
A MyAutismTeam Member

You could try brushing ( with this special small brush with soft bristles his occupational therapist would use and never on the tummy ) also..joint compressions,weighted blanket,hold tight and squeeze hugs..

July 10, 2012
A MyAutismTeam Member

Gentle music is always calming for my son, so I play it in the car on the way to therapy. My son will mimic the intensity of what is around him, so I'll pay attention to my own mood and just sit quietly(as possible) or read a calm book. Recently he has started to ask for sensory needs (ie: head massage, brushing, joint compressions).

July 7, 2012

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