7 Essential Items for a 'Sensory Calm-Down' Kit
When the world feels overwhelmingly loud and bright, having a "Sensory Calm-Down Kit" ready to go can make all the difference. Whether you are at home or out in the community, these seven items help ground the senses and provide a much-needed moment of peace.
Why are sensory tools Important for neurodivergent individuals?
Sensory kits provide tools to ease emotional tension. These tools, including tactile, visual, and calming items, can take on any form.
They are not ‘fun toys’, but tools that help regulation during sensory overload. They help;
- Support regulation
- Improve focus
- Reduce anxiety
- Helps diminish stigma
1. Noise-Canceling Headphones or Earplugs
Sound is often the biggest trigger for sensory overload. A good pair of noise-canceling headphones (or discreet silicone earplugs) allows a person to "turn down the volume" of the world, making crowded spaces like buses, shops or other community spaces feel a little safer.
2. A Weighted Lap Pad or Shoulder Pad
Deep pressure is a proven way to calm the nervous system. While a full-sized weighted blanket is hard to carry around, a smaller weighted lap pad or shoulder wrap might provide the same ‘grounding’ sensation during stressful moments or overwhelming environments.
3. Fidget Tools
Fidget tools can be a great a way to regulate! Items like infinity cubes, textured "tangle" toys, or simple stress balls give the hands something to do, which can help focus the mind and lower anxiety levels. While they are often called Fidget or stimming toys, they operate as tool to help with self-regulation.
4. A Scented Item
Our sense of smell is directly linked to the emotional center of the brain. For many a nostalgic smell can remind us of good memories and comfort. A small bottle of with an essential oil of your choosing or a scented "calm-down" sachet can provide an instant anchor.
5. Sunglasses or Tinted Lenses
Fluorescent lights in supermarkets or bright sunlight can be physically painful or overwhelmingly distracting for those with light sensitivity. Keeping a pair of dark sunglasses in your kit helps reduce visual input and prevent visual fatigue.
6. Chewable Jewelry (Chewigems)
Oral input with Chewigems can be very calming. "Chewelry" provides a safe and discreet way to manage stress without damaging clothes or other objects.
Much like a weighted lap pad, chewlery provides deep pressure to the jaw, which can help calm the nervous system.
7. A "Grounding" Object
This is a small, high-texture item like a smooth river stone, a piece of velvet fabric, or a sequin "flip" patch. However, the object can be anything of your choosing. Touching something with a specific, pleasant texture helps pull a person’s focus away from a panic response and back into the present moment.
It is important to remember that all sensory toolkits are unique. For adults with learning disabilities and autism, the addition of a sensory toolkit can provide a world of difference for their confidence when navigating stressful and/or new environments.
Need more help? Contact the us at Referrals@halowproject.org.uk
