🧠 Sensory Regulation Toolkit
Understanding & Supporting Self-Regulation in Children
📋 What's Included in This Toolkit
- Part 1: Understanding Sensory Regulation
- Part 2: Recognizing Regulation States
- Part 3: Building a Sensory Diet
- Part 4: Intervention Strategies
- Part 5: Environmental Modifications
- Printable Tool 1: Regulation Warning Signs Checklist
- Printable Tool 2: Daily Sensory Diet Planner
- Printable Tool 3: Calm-Down Strategy Cards
Part 1: Understanding Sensory Regulation
Sensory regulation is the ability to manage and respond appropriately to sensory information from our environment and our bodies. For children with sensory processing differences, this natural ability can be challenging, leading to overwhelm, meltdowns, or shutdown.
🎯 What is Self-Regulation?
Self-regulation involves three key components:
- Sensory processing: How the nervous system receives and interprets sensory information
- Emotional regulation: Managing feelings and emotional responses
- Behavioral regulation: Controlling actions and responses to situations
The Eight Sensory Systems
🖐️ Tactile (Touch)
Seekers: Enjoy messy play, tight hugs, rough textures
Avoiders: Dislike sticky hands, light touch, clothing tags
🎵 Auditory (Hearing)
Seekers: Love music, make vocal sounds, enjoy loud environments
Avoiders: Cover ears, distressed by unexpected sounds
👁️ Visual (Sight)
Seekers: Drawn to bright lights, spinning objects, visual stimulation
Avoiders: Prefer dim lighting, avoid eye contact
👃 Olfactory (Smell)
Seekers: Smell everything, enjoy strong scents
Avoiders: Overwhelmed by perfumes, food smells
👅 Gustatory (Taste)
Seekers: Chew on non-food items, crave strong flavors
Avoiders: Very selective eating, gag easily
🏃 Vestibular (Movement)
Seekers: Constantly moving, love spinning, rocking
Avoiders: Fear heights, avoid playground equipment
💪 Proprioceptive (Body Position)
Seekers: Crash into things, squeeze tight spaces
Avoiders: Move carefully, avoid physical challenges
❤️ Interoceptive (Internal)
Under-responsive: Don't notice hunger, bathroom needs
Over-responsive: Overwhelmed by heartbeat, breathing
Part 2: Recognizing Regulation States
Understanding your child's regulation state helps you provide appropriate support. Children move through different states throughout the day.
🌡️ The Regulation Scale
Alert, calm, ready to learn and engage. Optimal state for activities and learning.
Becoming fidgety or restless. Can still function but may need sensory input.
Difficulty focusing, increasing anxiety. Intervention needed to prevent escalation.
Meltdown territory. High emotion, little rational thinking. Safety and calm are priorities.
Complete overwhelm. May appear frozen, non-responsive. Needs quiet recovery time.
⚠️ Important: Individual Differences
Every child shows regulation differently. Learn your child's unique warning signs and triggers. What works for one child may not work for another.
Part 3: Building a Sensory Diet
A sensory diet is a planned schedule of sensory activities designed to help a child stay regulated throughout the day. Like nutritional food, we need a variety of sensory "nutrients" to thrive.
🍎 Components of a Good Sensory Diet
- Alerting activities: Wake up the nervous system (jumping, cold water)
- Organizing activities: Help with focus and attention (heavy work, proprioceptive input)
- Calming activities: Reduce arousal and promote relaxation (deep pressure, slow movement)
🌅 Daily Sensory Schedule Template
| Time | Activity Type | Example Activities | Goal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | Alerting | Jumping jacks, cold water on face, upbeat music | Wake up and prepare for day |
| Mid-Morning | Organizing | Heavy work (carrying books), wall push-ups | Focus for learning tasks |
| Before Lunch | Organizing | Animal walks, resistance exercises | Prepare for sitting and eating |
| Afternoon | Alerting/Organizing | Playground activities, bike riding | Re-energize after lunch |
| Evening | Calming | Deep pressure massage, slow rocking | Prepare for bedtime |
Alerting Activities
- Jumping on trampoline
- Fast music and dancing
- Cold drinks or ice
- Bright lights
- Citrus scents
Organizing Activities
- Wall or floor push-ups
- Carrying heavy objects
- Animal walks
- Resistance bands
- Climbing activities
Calming Activities
- Deep pressure hugs
- Slow rocking
- Weighted blankets
- Dim lighting
- Soft music
Part 4: Intervention Strategies
Different regulation states require different approaches. Here are evidence-based strategies for various situations:
🟢 Maintaining Green Zone
- Regular sensory breaks
- Predictable routines
- Environmental modifications
- Proactive sensory input
- Positive reinforcement
🟡 Yellow Zone Recovery
- Heavy work activities
- Deep breathing exercises
- Fidget tools
- Change of environment
- Reduce demands temporarily
🟠 Orange Zone Intervention
- Remove from triggering situation
- Offer regulation choices
- Validate feelings
- Use calming voice
- Implement emergency strategies
🔴 Red Zone Support
- Ensure safety first
- Stay calm yourself
- Provide space and time
- Minimal talking
- Wait for recovery before discussion
💡 Pro Tips for All Zones
- Prevention is better than intervention: Watch for early warning signs
- Individual differences matter: What works changes based on the child, situation, and time
- Stay regulated yourself: Your calm helps their calm
- Recovery takes time: Don't rush back to demands after dysregulation
Part 5: Environmental Modifications
🏠 Creating Regulation-Friendly Spaces
| Environment Factor | Considerations | Modifications |
|---|---|---|
| Lighting | Bright lights can be overwhelming | Use lamps, dimmer switches, natural light when possible |
| Sound | Background noise can be distracting | White noise machines, noise-cancelling headphones, quiet spaces |
| Visual | Too much visual stimulation | Organize spaces, reduce clutter, use calming colors |
| Temperature | Sensitive to hot/cold | Consistent temperature, layers available, fans or heaters |
| Seating | Need movement or stability | Flexible seating options, wobble cushions, bean bags |
| Space | Need for personal space | Quiet corners, tents, designated calm areas |
🛠️ Essential Regulation Tools for Home
- Weighted blanket or lap pad
- Noise-cancelling headphones
- Sensory bottles
- Aromatherapy diffuser
- Soft lighting options
- Mini trampoline
- Resistance bands
- Therapy balls
- Fidget toys
- Balance board
📋 Printable Tool #1: Regulation Warning Signs Checklist
Use this checklist to identify your child's unique warning signs for each regulation zone.
Print This Tool🚨 My Child's Warning Signs
🟢 Green Zone - Well Regulated
- Makes eye contact appropriately
- Follows directions easily
- Plays appropriately with others
- Shows flexibility with changes
- Able to focus on tasks
- Custom sign: ________________
- Custom sign: ________________
🟡 Yellow Zone - Slightly Elevated
- Increased fidgeting or movement
- Difficulty sitting still
- More talkative or quieter than usual
- Seeks more sensory input
- Shows mild frustration
- Custom sign: ________________
- Custom sign: ________________
🟠 Orange Zone - Dysregulated
- Covers ears or eyes
- Refuses to follow directions
- Becomes rigid or inflexible
- Shows increased anxiety
- Difficulty with transitions
- Custom sign: ________________
- Custom sign: ________________
🔴 Red Zone - Fight, Flight, or Freeze
- Meltdown or tantrum behaviors
- Becomes aggressive or destructive
- Runs away or hides
- Completely shuts down
- Non-responsive to communication
- Custom sign: ________________
- Custom sign: ________________
📅 Printable Tool #2: Daily Sensory Diet Planner
Plan sensory activities throughout your child's day to maintain optimal regulation.
Print This PlannerMy Child's Daily Sensory Diet
| Time | Current State | Planned Activity | Goal | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wake Up _______ |
☐ Green ☐ Yellow ☐ Orange ☐ Red |
_________________ | ☐ Alert ☐ Organize ☐ Calm |
_________________ |
| Before School _______ |
☐ Green ☐ Yellow ☐ Orange ☐ Red |
_________________ | ☐ Alert ☐ Organize ☐ Calm |
_________________ |
| Mid-Morning _______ |
☐ Green ☐ Yellow ☐ Orange ☐ Red |
_________________ | ☐ Alert ☐ Organize ☐ Calm |
_________________ |
| Lunch Time _______ |
☐ Green ☐ Yellow ☐ Orange ☐ Red |
_________________ | ☐ Alert ☐ Organize ☐ Calm |
_________________ |
| Afternoon _______ |
☐ Green ☐ Yellow ☐ Orange ☐ Red |
_________________ | ☐ Alert ☐ Organize ☐ Calm |
_________________ |
| After School _______ |
☐ Green ☐ Yellow ☐ Orange ☐ Red |
_________________ | ☐ Alert ☐ Organize ☐ Calm |
_________________ |
| Evening _______ |
☐ Green ☐ Yellow ☐ Orange ☐ Red |
_________________ | ☐ Alert ☐ Organize ☐ Calm |
_________________ |
| Bedtime _______ |
☐ Green ☐ Yellow ☐ Orange ☐ Red |
_________________ | ☐ Alert ☐ Organize ☐ Calm |
_________________ |
Quick Activity Ideas:
Alerting: jumping, dancing, cold water, bright lights, citrus scents
Organizing: heavy work, wall push-ups, carrying objects, animal walks
Calming: deep pressure, slow movement, dim lights, soft music, weighted items
🆘 Printable Tool #3: Calm-Down Strategy Cards
Cut out these strategy cards and keep them handy for quick regulation support.
Print Strategy Cards🤗 Deep Pressure
Bear hugs, weighted blanket, squeeze between cushions
🫁 Deep Breathing
Smell the flower, blow out the candle. In for 4, out for 6.
🏃 Heavy Work
Wall push-ups, carry books, push furniture, animal walks
🎵 Sensory Input
Listen to music, use fidget toy, chew gum, textured objects
🌅 Change Scene
Go outside, different room, change lighting, reduce noise
⏱️ Take Time
Use timer, count to 10, take a break, quiet space
🧘 Mindfulness
5 things you see, 4 things you hear, 3 things you feel
💬 Ask for Help
Tell trusted adult, use communication card, signal for support
📚 Additional Resources & Next Steps
🎯 Remember the Basics
- Regulation is a skill that develops over time with practice and support
- Every child is different - what works for one may not work for another
- Consistency matters - regular sensory input prevents bigger problems
- Your regulation affects theirs - stay calm and regulated yourself
- Progress isn't linear - expect good days and challenging days
When to Seek Professional Help
Consider consulting with an occupational therapist if:
- Sensory challenges significantly impact daily functioning
- Your child shows extreme reactions to sensory input
- Safety concerns arise from sensory-seeking behaviors
- School performance is affected by regulation difficulties
- Family stress is high due to ongoing regulation challenges
📞 Professional Resources
- Occupational Therapists: Sensory processing and regulation strategies
- Behavioral Therapists: Systematic approaches to skill building
- Pediatric Psychologists: Emotional regulation and coping strategies
- Speech Therapists: Communication and social-emotional skills