Signs your child is overwhelmed

When your child 'acts out', it's not always defiance. Sometimes it's overwhelm.

The brain isn't misbehaving but it is protecting itself. It is essential in the situation to calm down, connect with your child and helping them feel safe and understood.

When children are overwhelmed they display behaviors like:

• they shut down or walk away: their brain is in 'freeze' mode. It doesn't mean they are ignoring you but trying to take time to make sense of what is happening around them.

• they cry or yell suddenly: Emotional outbursts happen when overwhelming emotions become too difficult to manage or control.

• they say 'no' or refuse tasks: it is often fear, confusion or frustration- not rebellion.

• they move a lot and cannot sit still: their body's way to release built up stress or energy is through excessive movement or fidgeting.

• they forget simple steps: overload makes it hard to process information.

• they seem distant or distracted: their brain is protecting itself by tuning out.

• they are more sensitive than usual: Even small requests can feel 'too much' when they are overwhelmed.

  
  

  Children with ADHD can easily reach a point of mental, emotional or sensory overload- even in everyday situations.

• transitions from one activity to the other can cause stress for children as their brains have hard time switching gears quickly.

• it can happen when they feel the tasks take too long to finish, example: finishing homework, cleaning up their room, activities with multistep directions.

• in loud or busy environments: classrooms, birthday parties, and stores can lead to sensory overload due to excessive sensory input affecting brain function.

• when they feel rushed or pressured: pressure triggers anxiety and emotional shutdown.

• when they feel misunderstood or scolded: repeated criticism chips away confidence, leading to emotional overwhelm when they are told they are 'being lazy' or 'not trying'.

• at the end of the day: fatigue and overstimulation can cause meltdowns especially when their energy tank is empty and self-regulation becomes hard.

Things that parents can do to help children overcome the feeling of overwhelm:

• predictable routines

• gentle transitions

• chunk tasks into small steps

• create calm spaces to reset

• empathy before correction

• lower your tone, not your expectations

• offer choices- 'do you want help now or in two minutes?'

• give them space to reset before continuing

• reconnect first and correct later.