How To Prevent Sensory Overload In Gym Class

Fact-checked by Vincenza De Falco, Autism & Learning Disabilities Specialist Coach

A fitness routine should be fun and stress-free. Unfortunately, the gym class is not always fun for children who experience sensory overload. Since a gym is a busy and vibrant place with loads of movement, it can easily get overwhelming for children and adults who struggle with sensory overload to concentrate on physical activity.

Not sure how to prevent sensory overload in the gym? Let’s find out!

In this post, we'll cover:

What Does Sensory Overload Feel Like?

Mark Fleming is an autistic entrepreneur and the owner of Puzzle Piece Fitness LLC, a gym offering training to autistic individuals. Here’s what he shared about his experience in regular gyms:

My eyes would constantly be darting around the typical gym, as there was so much movement going on. Then the sound of every machine and light topping that really put me in a hyper-vigilant state. The input of my senses was never overbearing but just enough for my brain to put everything in high alert.
https://www.equally-fit.com/owner-head-trainer.html

Reaction to the sensory inputs can be way more extreme than this. People experiencing sensory overload may find it hard to focus on the exercise. The noise and lighting may make them irritable or even confused. This is especially true for young children who may not understand sensory overload. The experience can put them in panic mode and even result in a massive meltdown.

This makes it essential to take appropriate measures to prevent sensory overload in the gym so everyone, including children with sensory overload issues, can enjoy physical exercise and adopt a healthy lifestyle.

Best Preventative Measures: How to Prevent Sensory Overload in Gym Class

Fortunately, there are certain steps that you can take to prevent sensory overload in the gym. Follow these tips to help children with sensory processing issues feel more successful in gym class.

Use Noise-Canceling Headphones

Auditory stimuli can lead children to experience sensory overload. Since gyms are generally loud and noisy, children with sensory overload issues should wear noise-canceling headphones. This will reduce the noise, helping them feel more relaxed and at ease in the gym.

Manage Tactile Defensiveness

Tactile defensiveness refers to sensitivity to touch. It can lead to sensory overload, one reason many children with sensory processing issues are extremely sensitive about their clothing. If a child experiences tactile defensiveness, never force them to wear the team jersey if they are not comfortable with it.

Break Down New Routines into Easier Activities

Change can trigger sensory overload. This is why instructors should avoid revamping the workout. The best approach is to break down new routines into smaller activities so that children with sensory overload are not overwhelmed by the change.

New routines should be introduced gradually, focusing on teaching one skill at a time.

Establish Personal Space Boundaries

Another way to deal with tactile defensiveness is to establish personal space boundaries in the gym. Educate all children about personal space and help them understand the importance of respecting personal space boundaries.

It is a good idea to use social stories to hold children’s interest and get your point across to them.

Provide a Safe Space

If you are wondering how to prevent sensory overload in the gym, providing a safe space may be the solution you are looking for. It is essential to let the child know that they have an out. While it is okay to encourage a child to try out an activity in the gym, they should never be forced to participate.

It is advisable to designate a calm and quiet space where the child can retreat in case they feel overwhelmed.

Frequent Breaks

Sometimes, a child needs a small break to avoid sensory overload. Therefore, it is important to incorporate frequent breaks into the routine. However, ensure that the child knows when to expect the break and what to do in the free time.

They can walk around for a few minutes, take a trip to the restroom, or rest for a while before continuing.

Work in Smaller Groups

Fewer people in a group mean less movement and less sound. This is why working in small groups is generally more comfortable for children who experience sensory overload. It is also an excellent way to manage tactile defensiveness, reduce anxiety, and help the child focus on the game or exercise.

Try Proprioceptive Activities

Proprioceptive activities can help children process sensory information through body awareness. They can also help the child become more alert and ready to learn new things. These exercises also allow children with sensory processing issues to calm down and self-regulate.

While monkey bars and trampolines are some of the best options for indulging in proprioceptive activities, children can practice many other exercises in the gym and in their classrooms.

Aromatherapy

Children who struggle with sensory overload may be sensitive to smells around them. Unfortunately, a gym is not always the best-smelling area.

So, if a child is prone to olfactory sensitivity and feels overwhelmed by any smell, aromatherapy can be a good option. Older children can use essential oils of their choice to mask any odors.

Consider Trying the Wilbarger Brushing Protocol Technique

More commonly known as DPPT, Wilbarger Brushing Protocol is a technique that aims to handle tactile defensiveness and other sensory processing challenges. Take the time to try the Wilbarger Brushing Protocol to make the gym enjoyable for children who experience sensory overload.

There is not much documented research on the Wilbarger Protocol. However, many parents of children with autism have reported seeing decreases in sensory defensiveness and anxiety as a result of using this technique.
https://www.nationalautismresources.com/the-wilbarger-protocol-brushing-therapy-for-sensory-integration/

It is important to encourage a healthy lifestyle in children from a young age, and PE and gym class is an ideal ways to help them start on a path of fitness. Now that you know how to prevent sensory overload in the gym don’t let sensory processing issues keep children from having fun in the gym!

Vincenza De Falco is an Autism & Learning Disabilities (LD) specialist coach with extensive experience working with young people with various needs in different settings. Her passion for Autism & LD started as a volunteer at a multi-functional provision for Autism whilst studying for a BA in Theatre, Education, and Deaf Studies.

Throughout her career, Vincenza continues her professional development alongside working within numerous support and leadership roles in education and charities. Having gained Level 3 in Speech and Language Support, HLTA qualification, Level 3 Award in Education and Training, and Level 3 CMI Coaching qualification, Vincenza has furthered her expertise in Autism & LD.

Entering the Third Sector as a Project Manager developing and delivering a specialist NEET program, she subsequently joined ThinkForward’s newest venture DFN MoveForward, supporting young people with Autism & LD to successfully transition from education into paid employment. Through 1:1 coaching, family support, and training employers to become disability confident, Vincenza builds bespoke programs for young people with work readiness and employment goals. Through Vincenza’s passion for creating systemic change in Disability and employment, she forms part of the successful partnership running the DFN Project Search Supported Internship at Moorfields Eye Hospital.

References

https://www.nationalautismresources.com/the-wilbarger-protocol-brushing-therapy-for-sensory-integration/

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