Start gently
Try a short phrase: “I’m here.” “I’ll give you space.” “We can talk later.” Avoid promising safety if the situation is not safe.
Choose one small change
Lower noise and demands if you can. Ask before touching; some children want closeness and others need space. Do not insist on breathing or eye contact.
Notice what fits
Avoid “Why are you doing this?” or a lecture in the moment. Reasoning may be easier after everyone has settled.
Ask for support
Later, ask gently what helped. Keep your record factual, without blame or guessing intent. If anyone is at immediate risk, seek urgent help.
References and further reading
- Emotion coaching research overview
- Regulate, relate, reason: a practical framework
- Sensory differences and overwhelm
These sources inform the ideas; they do not validate this Hearth sequence or predict an individual outcome.
Hearth offers wellbeing self-help, not medical care or a crisis service. These ideas are not an assessment and cannot predict what will work for your child.
Open calm scripts