Overwhelm

Too much stimulation, shutting down, sensory overload

Too much noise. Too many choices. Too many feelings at once. When kids hit their limit, they don't politely excuse themselves - they fall apart. Overwhelm often looks like "bad behavior" but it's usually a sign that their system is maxed out and needs help resetting.

What to Know

Overwhelm happens when the demands on a child's system exceed their capacity to cope. Too much noise, too many transitions, too many feelings at once — the result is a child who looks like they're misbehaving but is actually maxed out. Meltdowns, shutdowns, and rigidity are often signs of overwhelm, not defiance.

Kids vary widely in how much they can handle before hitting their limit. Some are naturally more sensitive to stimulation — lights, sounds, textures, social demands. Others have days when their capacity is lower due to hunger, tiredness, or accumulated stress. Learning your child's signs of approaching overwhelm is more useful than trying to manage the meltdown once it arrives.

The goal isn't to protect kids from all overwhelm — that's impossible. It's to help them recognize their own signals and gradually build tolerance, while adjusting demands when you can see they're approaching their limit.

Signs to Watch

•Covers ears, hides, or tries to escape busy environments
•Melts down after high-stimulation activities (parties, errands, school)
•Becomes rigid or controlling when overstimulated
•Has a "delayed meltdown" after holding it together in public
•Struggles with transitions even when warned
•Seems more reactive late in the day or week

Stories

The Long Way Home

Jordan takes the long way home. Not because he's lost—because he needs time to think. By the time he gets there, the hard stuff feels smaller.

The Girl Who Felt Everything

Iris feels things bigger than other kids. Sad movies make her sob. Loud noises hurt. Joy feels like fireworks. She learns her big feelings are a gift—she just needs tools to hold them.

The Land of Loud Feelings

When his room feels too small for his big feelings, Jaxon travels to the Land of Loud Feelings—where he can stomp and roar and be wild. When he's done, home is waiting.

Maybe I'm Not the Bad Kid

Everyone calls Devon the bad kid. But Devon isn't bad—he's struggling. When someone finally asks 'what's wrong?' instead of 'why are you like this?'—everything changes.

The Bear Who Stayed in the Cave

Bea the bear loved her cave. Outside was too bright, too loud, too much. But when she takes one tiny step—just to the entrance—she realizes outside was waiting for her all along.

Penny the Panic Button

Penny worries about EVERYTHING—tests, friendships, even happy things. Her brain has a panic button that goes off too easily. Her therapist helps her find the 'pause' button right next to it.

I Don't Want to Clean My Room

Alex ran away from cleaning. He hid at the park, at his friend's, at grandma's. But everywhere he went, messes followed. Finally he went home and did it. It only took ten minutes.

A to Z Calm

A is for Ask for help. B is for Breathe. C is for Count to ten. From A to Z, there's always something to try when feelings get big.

Today I Feel...

Today I feel wiggly. Yesterday I felt shy. Tomorrow I might feel brave. Feelings come and go—like weather inside me.

Too Much, Too Fast, Too Loud

Everything Dex does is TOO MUCH. Too loud, too fast, too wild. He hears 'stop' a hundred times a day. But at bedtime, Mom says the thing he needs most.

Time to Breathe

When everything feels too fast, too loud, too much—it's time to breathe. In through the nose, out through the mouth. One breath. Then another. Now, what do you need?

My Weather Inside

Sometimes I'm sunny. Sometimes I'm stormy. Sometimes I'm foggy and don't know why. All weather is real weather. All feelings are real feelings. They come, and they go.

Sitting With My Storm

When Leo gets sent to his room, his anger arrives like a storm cloud. Instead of fighting it, he sits. Breathes. Watches. Slowly, the storm passes, and Leo is still there.