Lesson Plan
Mastering Sensory Overload Plan
Students will identify sensory triggers and learn strategies to manage sensory overload and emotional dysregulation, enhancing self-regulation skills in the classroom.
Understanding sensory overload and dysregulation helps students develop comprehensive coping mechanisms, build self-awareness, and improve academic and social success.
Audience
9th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion and guided activities.
Materials
Prep
Preparation
5 minutes
- Review the Mastering Sensory Overload Plan to understand lesson objectives and strategies.
- Prepare discussion questions and brainstorming prompts regarding sensory triggers and dysregulation, as well as coping mechanisms.
- Ensure classroom materials (whiteboard, markers) are ready for interactive activities.
- Familiarize yourself with specific strategies for sensory overload and dysregulation, such as deep breathing, grounding techniques, sensory breaks, mindfulness, and environmental adjustments.
Step 1
Introduction
5 minutes
- Welcome students and introduce the concepts of sensory overload and dysregulation.
- Explain common sensory and emotional triggers and discuss why managing these sensations is essential for academic and personal wellbeing.
Step 2
Interactive Activity
15 minutes
- Facilitate a group brainstorming session where students identify personal sensory triggers and experiences of dysregulation.
- Present and discuss specific strategies for managing sensory overload such as:
• Deep breathing exercises
• Taking short sensory breaks
• Adjusting the environment (lighting, seating arrangements)
• Using noise-cancelling headphones or earplugs
• Incorporating mindfulness and gentle stretching - Introduce strategies tailored for dysregulation including:
• Grounding techniques (e.g., naming objects in the room, describing sensory details)
• Emotion labeling to acknowledge and address feelings
• Progressive muscle relaxation to reduce tension
• Creating a personal coping plan that outlines steps to calm down - Encourage sharing of ideas and strategies in small discussion groups.
Step 3
Reflection
5 minutes
- Invite students to reflect on which strategies for sensory overload and dysregulation seem most useful to them.
- Summarize key points on the whiteboard and answer any remaining questions.
- Reinforce the idea that strategies can be personalized and adapted based on individual needs.
Slide Deck
Mastering Sensory Overload & Dysregulation
Understanding Sensory and Emotional Triggers
Introduce the lesson with enthusiasm. Explain that today's session will help students understand sensory overload and dysregulation, and learn practical ways to manage both using a variety of strategies.
Lesson Overview
• Objective: Identify sensory and emotional triggers and learn practical coping strategies.
• Importance: Enhance self-regulation and improve academic and social success.
Explain the lesson's objectives: students will identify sensory triggers and emotional dysregulation, and explore various strategies for effective self-regulation.
Exploring Sensory & Emotional Triggers
Consider what might overwhelm you:
- Loud noises and bright lights
- Crowded spaces
- Strong smells or textures
- Feeling stressed or anxious in busy environments
Encourage students by discussing examples of personal sensory and emotional triggers in the classroom.
Coping Strategies: Sensory Overload & Dysregulation
Sensory Overload Strategies:
• Deep breathing exercises
• Taking short sensory breaks
• Adjusting the environment (e.g., dimming lights, rearranging seating)
• Using noise-cancelling headphones or earplugs
• Incorporating mindfulness and gentle stretching
Dysregulation Strategies:
• Grounding techniques (naming objects, describing sensory details)
• Emotion labeling to identify feelings
• Progressive muscle relaxation to ease tension
• Creating a personal calming plan for moments of emotional overwhelm
Present detailed strategies for managing both sensory overload and dysregulation. Describe each strategy with sufficient detail and examples. Invite the students to consider which techniques might work best for them.
Reflection & Wrap-Up
• Which sensory or emotional strategy will you try first?
• How can you modify these techniques to suit your needs?
Let's summarize our key takeaways and discuss how to integrate these strategies into daily life.
Conclude the lesson by reflecting on the strategies. Invite students to share the techniques that they feel would best help them manage sensory and emotional challenges.
Activity
Sensory Overload & Dysregulation Brainstorm Activity
Welcome to the Sensory Overload & Dysregulation Brainstorm Activity. In this session, you'll have the opportunity to identify personal sensory and emotional triggers, and brainstorm effective strategies to manage both sensory overload and feelings of dysregulation. Your ideas and experiences can help create a supportive environment for everyone in the classroom.
Activity Overview
- Objective: Identify personal sensory and emotional triggers and explore effective coping strategies.
- Format: Small group discussions followed by a group sharing session.
- Time: 15 minutes
Instructions
-
Individual Reflection (5 minutes):
- Think about a time when you felt overwhelmed by sensory input (e.g., loud noises, bright lights) or experienced strong emotional reactions (e.g., anxiety, frustration).
- Write down at least 2 personal triggers (one sensory and one emotional) and briefly describe the experience.
-
Group Brainstorm (7 minutes):
- Gather in small groups (3-4 students per group).
- Share your individual triggers and listen to your peers’ experiences.
- As a group, list common sensory and emotional triggers and discuss various strategies to manage them. Consider strategies such as:
• For Sensory Overload:- Deep breathing exercises
- Taking short sensory breaks (e.g., stepping into a quiet area, stretching)
- Adjusting the environment (dimming lights, rearranging seating)
- Using noise-cancelling headphones or earplugs
- Mindfulness and gentle stretching
• For Dysregulation: - Grounding techniques (naming objects in the room, describing sensory details)
- Emotion labeling to recognize and validate feelings
- Progressive muscle relaxation to ease tension
- Creating a personal calming plan for moments of emotional overwhelm
- Write down all strategies you find useful.
-
Group Sharing (3 minutes):
- Each group will share one sensory trigger and one emotional trigger, along with a coping strategy for each that they find most effective with the whole class.
- Discuss as a class how these diverse strategies might be integrated into daily routines to help manage both sensory overload and dysregulation.
Follow-Up Questions
- Which trigger (sensory or emotional) was most commonly mentioned, and why might it affect so many people?
- What new coping strategy did you learn today that you plan to try?
- How might understanding these triggers and strategies improve our overall classroom environment?
Take your time to jot down your thoughts, and feel free to ask any questions you have. Let's work together to create a more comfortable and supportive space for everyone!
Good luck and happy brainstorming!
Worksheet
Sensory Overload Handout
1. Key Definitions
Sensory Overload: When your brain receives more sensory input (noise, lights, textures, smells, movement) than it can process, leading to feelings of overwhelm, agitation, or shutdown.
Emotional Dysregulation: Difficulty managing or responding to intense emotions in a controlled way, which can lead to sudden outbursts, anxiety, or withdrawal.
2. Identify Your Personal Triggers
▶ List two sensory triggers you’ve experienced and describe how they feel:
• Sensory Trigger 1: ____________________________________________
• Sensory Trigger 2: ____________________________________________
▶ List two emotional triggers you’ve experienced and describe what happens:
• Emotional Trigger 1: __________________________________________
• Emotional Trigger 2: __________________________________________
3. Coping Strategies & Personalization
| Strategy | Type | My Personalization Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Deep breathing exercises | Sensory Overload | |
| Taking short sensory breaks | Sensory Overload | |
| Adjusting the environment (lighting) | Sensory Overload | |
| Grounding techniques (5‐4‐3‐2‐1) | Dysregulation | |
| Emotion labeling | Dysregulation | |
| Progressive muscle relaxation | Dysregulation |
4. Personal Coping Plan Template
Trigger I want to address: _______________________________________
How I notice I’m getting overwhelmed (signs/symptoms): ________________
Steps I will take when I feel overloaded or dysregulated:
2. ______________________________________________________________
3. ______________________________________________________________
People or resources I can turn to for support: _________________________
5. Reflection Prompts
- Which one strategy on your plan do you think will help you the most? Why?
- How will you remind yourself to use your coping plan during the school day?
- How might sharing your plan with a friend or teacher improve your success?
Quiz
Sensory Strategies Quiz