Managing Sensory Overload: Mosaic Provider Shares Advice, What’s Worked for Him

For people with sensory processing differences, everyday environments—a crowded room, background noise and even certain food and clothing textures—can quickly become overwhelming. 

April is Autism Acceptance Month, a time to celebrate the unique strengths, talents and diversity of autistic individuals and to promote inclusion and understanding. While anyone can experience them, sensory processing differences are relatively common among autistic people and can lead to feelings of panic, anxiety and physical distress.

But there are ways to keep overstimulation at bay. It begins with understanding and identifying triggers and then managing them with calming techniques.

That is exactly what Yves Nignan, a Mosaic at HomeⓇ shared living provider, has done for Tommie Murry. 

Yves, who began caring for Tommie at a Mosaic group home in 2013 and became his Home Provider in 2019, wants him to experience what the community has to offer in a way that is comfortable. That means Yves is always thinking and planning ahead.

For example, when Yves started working at the group home, Tommie’s family asked that he attend church each week. It was a good way for the pair to connect, but also presented challenges because noisy, crowded places can lead Tommie, who doesn’t communicate with words, to experience a sensory overload.

“It is a Baptist church, so at certain times during the service, musical instruments are used and people are responding to the sermon, so it can get loud, and Tommie sometimes reacts to that,” Yves said.

Over time, calming techniques and routine habits have made the weekly service a pleasant experience.

It all started with a new place to sit. 

When they first started going to church together, the pair joined Tommie’s family in the middle pews. But the noise and crowd were overwhelming, so with help from church members and staff, Yves arranged for him and Tommie to sit in the same place each week.

“I wanted to be away from the crowd, but not completely isolated, so we now sit in the last row,” he said. “It’s nice because his family knows where to find him, and he sees them when they come in and then afterward.”

They also get to the church early, giving Yves time to talk with Tommie.

“I tell him what is going to happen, when it may get loud, and assure him that it’s going to be all right,” Yves said. “That communication is important.”

Communication is a calming technique Yves often uses when they are attending church or another event where there are crowds, noises and lines of people waiting to enter.

“Waiting in lines is hard for Tommie, so when we get to an event, I try to find a line that doesn’t have a lot of people or noise,” he said. “I’m also talking to Tommy, letting him know that we’re going to have to wait a little bit.”

Sensory items, such as a weighted blanket and his favorite, a textured hand towel that has proven to be calming when he holds it, have also helped during times of overstimulation.  

Yves said he’s grateful for the support that he and Tommy receive from church members and others in the community. He said he’s encountered more acceptance and understanding from people in recent years.

“I’ve had people help by letting us get out of line so Tommie can go sit in a comfortable place, and then they let us know when it’s our turn,” Yves said.

While he thrives on a routine, at the end of the day, Yves wants Tommie to also have new experiences and feel included, whether he’s at church, a family barbecue, vacation or just watching television in the living room. The support and understanding help make that happen. 

“When I can go somewhere with Tommie and he’s able to enjoy it with no issues, or not too many issues, and he wants to go back, it’s a good day,” Yves said, noting that Tommie recently surprised him with his calm demeanor on a visit to a drive-through zoo in Illinois where the animals came close to their car. “We want him to enjoy life, to experience things like anyone else and to be happy.”

Calming techniques come in many forms—breathing exercises, mindfulness, stimming, and sensory items. Yves’ advice to other home providers and caregivers is to find and use techniques that help the person they support to live their best life.