Portable Sensory Bag for Self-Regulation

Sensory Integration Tools for Meltdown Management

Sensory Integration Toolkits

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
Carry a portable sensory Tool bag to help promote self-regulation and avoid meltdowns.  Some items may include but are not limited to:

1. Sunglasses
2. Baseball cap or wide-brimmed hat
3. Ice-cold water bottle with a sport cap for sucking (or an ice-cold juice box with a straw)
4. Chewy snack, such as beef jerky, raisins or granola bar
5. Hand lotion or lip balm
6. A piece of soft fabric such as velour for rubbing on hands, or a stuffed animal
7. Squeeze ball or koosh ball
8. Flashlight
9. Massager
10. Gum/Mints
11. Earphones for audio books or music
12. Headphones
13. Etch a Sketch or Doodle Pad
14. Audio Books
15. Lego Kits
16. Timer
17. Camelbak Water bottle
18. Play-Doh
19. Compression Clothing
20. Vibrator
21. Theraband
22. Sand Timer
23. Body Sock
24. Caterpillar (shoulder pet)
25. Bubbles
26. Train whistle

At Home
When my son has a sensory meltdown at home, usually at the end of a busy day, I bring out the heavy artillery:

1. Mini-trampoline
2. Body Sock
3. Silly putty, play dough or play slime
4. Weighted blanket.
5. Heating pad (very calming when placed on the back of the neck)
6. Back rub or massage seat
7. Ear, hand or foot massage
8. Rocking chair, swing, slide or climbing structure
9. Handheld massage ball.
10. Giant exercise ball for sitting and bouncing.
11. Lavender essential oil or chamomile essential oil (one drop behind the ears)
12. Massage jet for the bathtub ( Pick one up on Amazon.com)
13. Deep hugs or sandwiching between two body pillows

Taken from:   
http://www.friendshipcircle.org/blog/2011/12/13/26-sensory-integration-tools-for-meltdown-management/