How much more can your bucket hold?

One of the ways we can think about dealing with stress and emotions is the idea of a bucket. Some days, sensory information in the environment may lead to sensory overload – your bucket is near full and you are unable to cope. Buckets in this state will fill quickly and easily, and it is only a matter of time before they overflow.

On a ‘good’ day, your bucket might have plenty of room for stressors before you feel overwhelmed. Each and every day can be different.

We need to find ways to filter through our bucket to allow for space to take on stressors throughout the day.

Here are some tips for managing bucket levels:

Look for signs of a rapidly filling bucket. Don’t wait until the bucket is on the verge of over-flowing!

• Bottled up stress and frustration can be explosive. Each child’s signs will be different.

Remove any environmental factor. If you suspect that auditory (sound) input has caused overflow, it does not necessarily mean that is what needs to be removed at that moment. Try removing another environmental factor ie. Turn off the lights or providing a safe space.

• Ask your child to write down or draw what has made them feel frustrated and stressed. Who? When? Where? Why?
• This can help with identifying what can be removed from the environment.

Calming strategies

• Long breaths, deep pressure and rhythmic movements are most effective!

If your child is experiencing a full bucket regularly you can reach out to an occupational therapist who can help with strategies to help with a more organised processing of the world for your child.

Written by Alannah Santomartino, Occupational Therapist.