TRIGGERS AND SOOTHERS THROUGH SENSORY LENSES

(c) Dr. Laura S. Anderson Common Chord Psychology April 2021

TRIGGERS

Auditory:

Too much noise

A raised voice

Quiet spaces

Visual:

Too much visual stimulation

Having to disengage from screen time

Taste/Oral:

Food texture

Brushing teeth

Food taste

Tooth pain

Smell:

Strong smells

Smells that trigger memories

Body/Touch/Movement related

Sitting still too long

Clothing sensation

Other:

Being overtired

Hungry

Eating sugar or dyed foods

Having to wake up

Having to go to sleep

Someone being too close

Bathing

Getting injured

Feeling sick

Motion sickness

Being asked to apologize

Transitions

Being caught not telling the truth

Being accused of something

Being asked to do an unpleasant task

Being asked to stop a pleasurable activity

Time in the car

Schoolwork that is hard

Being told no

Being hurried anywhere

Having to leave an enjoyable place

Having to go to a non-preferred place

A change in schedule

Feeling excluded from an activity

Losing at a game

Feeling as if you are failing or making mistakes

Feeling as If you are disappointing someone

SOOTHERS

Auditory:

Preferred music

Softer voices

Relaxation tapes

Ear phones

Visual:

Snow globe

Tents

Eye pillows

Fish tank

Limited visual stimulation/ or visual order

Taste/Oral:

Chewing gum

Sippy bottle

Teething ring

Crunchy food

Smooth food

Chewies

Smell:

Essential oil smells

Touch/Action:

Blanket

T-shirt with parent smell

Body/Movement/Touch:

Ice pack

Hot Water Bottle

Heavy backpack

Weighted blanket

Body sock

Trampoline

Wheelbarrow

Blanket

Yoga ball

Body pillows

Bean bags

Handstands

Hopscotch

Swinging (spinning or swinging)

Pillow fights

Deep hugs

Eye masks

Low crawling

Snake bellying

Running races

Cartwheels

Weight lifting

Back rub

Hand rub

Foot rub

Use of an OT brush

Burrito wraps

Mindful breathing

Time in bath/pool

Obstacle courses of combinations of up and down movement (jumping over, tunneling under)

Car rides

Yoga

Rocking

Gardening

Pets

Hot baths

Bubble baths

Martial Arts

Petting pets

Fine motor:

Cutting soap

Playdoh

Kinetic Sand

Mandalas

Textured Balls

Coloring

Hand held fidgets

Slime

Silly Putty

Beading

TRIGGERS AND SOOTHERS THROUGH SENSORY LENSES

(c) Dr. Laura S. Anderson Common Chord Psychology April 2021