Is Your Child Overstimulated? Here's What to Do.

It's no secret that little kids have big emotions, and it's not all that uncommon to witness meltdowns in small children, even when things seemed fine a moment ago. There are many factors that can contribute to tantrums or emotional behavior in kids, but one major culprit is overstimulation.

Sensory overload can easily wear a child out, and they may hit a breaking point. Despite the appearances of a sudden meltdown, there are usually a few key signs that signal overstimulation is on its way. We talked to the experts about how to recognize when your child is overstimulated, how to help them feel better, and what to do to prevent future meltdowns from occurring.

What Is Overstimulation? 

Overstimulation is the body’s response to excess activity or stimuli. We all interact with environmental stimuli all the time, but everyone has different capacities and limitations. What may feel like too much varies from person to person. Young babies may be more easily overstimulated than older children, while some kids have lower thresholds at any age. And while any child can experience overstimulation, some children with autism, anxiety, or other diagnoses can be more prone to it.

Often, many factors play a role in overstimulation. “A child may be able to handle a busy park in the middle of a summer afternoon on one occasion, but may get overstimulated by all the environmental stimuli if they are stressed, didn’t get a good night’s sleep, or skipped breakfast,” says Kerri Milyko, PhD, BCBA-D, LBA (NV), board-certified behavior analyst and the Director of Clinical Programming at CentralReach. Basically, there's many variables at play that affect a person's ability to tolerate external stimuli.

Why Does Overstimulation Happen? 

Overstimulation can occur when the level of sensory stimuli exceeds a child’s current capacity. Each child has their own individual limit for stimulation, and their ability to take in sensory stimuli can change on a regular basis. It may be higher if a child is well-rested and recently ate a balanced meal or snack, while it may be lower if they need a nap or haven’t eaten in a little too long.

Any kind of sensory stimulation, whether visual, auditory, tactile, or another type, has the potential to become an overload for a child. Sometimes, it will be a combination of the different types of information the child is taking in. “Overstimulation can occur in routine situations at home with loud TV volume and music, as well as in special cases such as a crowd of people at a party and outdoor events,” says Pierrette Mimi Poinsett, M.D., pediatrician, and consultant for Mom Loves Best.

Neurodivergent individuals, such as those with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, (ADHD) or individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) may have a lower threshold for stimulation. For example, a t-shirt tag, fluorescent lighting, the hum of electronics, or certain textures of foods are common sensory triggers for autistic individuals that may lead to overstimulation. “These children experience stimuli in unique ways,” adds Dr. Milyko. “They may be more sensitive to sensory experiences in comparison to experiences of neurotypical individuals.”

Signs Your Child Is Overstimulated

Signs of overstimulation vary with age and temperament. Babies may respond to overstimulation by crying, limbs jerking, and/or turning their heads away. Toddlers and preschoolers could exhibit behaviors akin to a temper tantrum. Older children may also have tantrums, seem out of sorts, or be able to verbalize feeling overwhelmed.

Kids who are having a difficult time processing environmental stimuli may engage in behaviors to avoid, escape, or minimize those stimuli. You may notice that your child seems irritable, restless, or zoned out. They may engage in repetitive behaviors to help calm them down when feeling overstimulated, such as rocking back and forth, pacing, or humming. 

Some children’s behavior escalates and becomes more extreme, such as crying, yelling, flopping to the ground, or even engaging in self-injury. When these behaviors occur from overstimulation, it is called a meltdown. “Meltdowns can look like tantrums, but they are not ‘to get something’ or a response when your child is told ‘no’,” says Dr. Milyko. “It is often an involuntary response because the culmination of the sensory stimuli is too much to handle.”

How to Help Your Overstimulated Child 

Once you realize that your child is overstimulated, the very best thing that you can do is remove the stimuli—or remove the child from the environment. Try to bring them into a nurturing, low stimulation space instead. 

If you cannot do that, you should attempt to reduce the level of stimulation however you can. You might hold your child close, cover their ears, or dim the lights. “Some young infants respond well to being swaddled or placed in an infant carrier wrap,” says Dr. Poinsett. “Toddlers and preschoolers may be helped by engaging in a quieter activity, such as being read to or singing a familiar song.”

You should not try to reason with an overstimulated child or expect them to “just deal with it.” They need your help. You can assist your child self-regulate by giving them space to relax and be soothed. “They may be able to self-soothe, or you may need to help soothe them,” says Dr. Milyko. “Avoid shaming your child and remember that sensory overload is neither intentional nor manipulative.”

How to Prevent Overstimulation from Occurring

You can help prevent overstimulation in your child by doing your best to learn and anticipate their needs. “Be aware of what sensory experiences are not favorable to your child and try to minimize exposure to them if possible,” says Dr. Milyko. “A little bit of pre-planning can help mitigate any potential sensory overload.”

For one example, babies and toddlers often do better if activities and errands are short and contain breaks. They may benefit from having a nap or quiet time after a noisy activity, such as going to the playground or a party. 

Being mindful of your child’s unique temperament helps as well. For example, some kids need more breaks or have a lower tolerance for big crowds. If that sounds like your kid, avoid what you can and try to help your child keep their level of stimulation low when you cannot. “If you know that your child may be more sensitive to loud noises, bring headphones to places that could be loud,” offers Dr. Milyko, as an example.

It’s important to communicate your child’s needs to other caretakers, such as family members, nannies, or teachers, so everyone can be familiar with the best strategies.

When to See a Health Care Provider About Overstimulation 

If you feel like your child is overstimulated on a regular basis and it impairs your daily life, you might seek advice from a health care professional. You might also reach out if you have concerns about how extreme your child’s reactions are. If you’re unsure, it never hurts to ask. “A pediatrician can help you determine if your child’s behavior is age-appropriate, or if their temperament seems extra sensitive,” says Dr. Poinsett. 

A pediatrician or health care provider may have advice for you to help keep your child regulated, or they may suggest an evaluation for issues such as ASD, ADHD, IDD, or anxiety. Regardless of whether your child gets a diagnosis, you can get help and advice to help you help your child manage their overstimulation.