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[iNFAMOUS]

Sensory Integration Tool Kits

A sensory meltdown occurs when there is some type of discordance in at least one of the senses: smell, taste, sight (light or color), sound (either too much noise or an irritating type of noise), touch (texture or temperature), balance or spatial awareness.  I also include meltdowns caused by low blood sugar levels in this category, because the lowered blood sugar heightens all sensitivities.
When a meltdown starts, it is necessary to remove a person from the intolerable sensory input and to replace that with calming sensory input.

Away from Home
Carrying a portable sensory toolkit for situations that may be stressful.  Depending on an individual’s unique sensitivities, some items in the kit may include:

• Sunglasses
  
• Baseball cap or wide-brimmed hat
  
• Ice-cold water bottle with a sport cap for sucking (or an ice-cold juice box with a straw)
  
• Chewy snack
  
• Hand lotion or lip balm
  
• A piece of soft fabric such as velour for rubbing on hands, or a stuffed animal
  
• Squeeze ball
  
• Soundproof headphones
  
• Change of clothes (a long-sleeved t-shirt or sweatshirt and long sweatpants may be needed for tactile input)
  
• Carrier for child under 40 pounds (ergonomically designed to distribute child’s weight to parent’s hips )

At Home

• Mini trampoline
  
• Body Sock
  
• Silly putty, play dough or play slime
  
• Weighted blanket or vest
  
• Heating pad (very calming when placed on the back of the neck)
  
• Back rub or massage seat
  
• Ear, hand or foot massage
  
• Rocking chair, swing, slide or climbing structure
  
• Handheld massage ball
  
• Wooden foot massager
  
• Giant exercise ball for sitting and bouncing
  
• A favorite video or song
  
• Lavender essential oil or chamomile essential oil (one drop behind the ears)
  
• Chamomile tea