Sensory Reset Menu
Personal Regulation Toolkit
Sensory Reset Menu
Select discrete, age-appropriate strategies to regulate your energy, focus, and physical tension.
FORM: SR-12 Grade 12 System
Student Name
Date
Preferred Reset Window
Option A: Ground & Re-Center
HIGH AROUSAL & ANXIETY
1
Wall Press Isometric
Press palms flat on wall; push maximum effort for 10s. Release and breathe. Repeat 3x to discharge sensory adrenaline.
2
Chair Compression
Sit straight, grip the sides of your seat, pull upward. Hold for 8s to generate grounding deep-tissue feedback.
3
Progressive Muscle Reset
Tense feet/calves for 5s, then release. Move up to thighs, hands, shoulders. Restores central somatic balance.
4
5-4-3-2-1 Technique
Find 5 visual objects, 4 physical sensations, 3 sounds, 2 scents, and 1 positive statement. Halts active cognitive spirals.
Option B: Redirect & Release
REPLACEMENT FOR UNSAFE STIMS
1
Desk Resistance Band
Use a loop band around chair legs. Push ankles/calves outward to get constant, silent lower-body muscular feedback.
2
Micro-Manipulatives
Utilize rough desk-edge stickers, high-resistance putty, or solid metal hand rollers silently under the desk.
3
Finger Tapping Sequences
Press thumb firmly to fingers in sequences: 1-2-3-4, 4-3-2-1. Squeeze finger pads hard for deep-touch input.
4
Isometric Grip Release
Squeeze high-resistance foam ball or stone. Squeeze slowly, hold for 5s, release. Channels arm-tension safely.
Option C: Activate & Focus
FOR LETHARGY & DISTRACTION
1
Standing Station Switch
Shift silently to a high standing desk. Sway weight gently from foot to foot to wake the vestibular system.
2
Cold Water Shock
Drink small sips of ice-cold water. The sudden temperature shift alerts cranial nerves and immediately restarts focus.
3
Postural Ceiling Stretch
Interlace fingers, push palms straight up, look up. Take 3 deep diaphragmatic breaths to flush oxygen to the brain.
4
20-20-20 Eye Reset
Look at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Roll eyes in a slow figure-eight to stimulate optic pathways.
Self-Advocacy Protocol: You do not need staff permission to perform these quiet micro-movements at your desk. They are discrete and respectful. If you require a high-energy movement sequence, point to Option A/C to checkout for a 2-minute designated zone reset.
Self-Advocacy & Analysis
My Personal Reset Plan
Part 2: Planning & Logs
Customize your regulation strategy and build a solid self-reflection habit.
1. Identifying My Warning Signs
What physical warning signs let you know you need to reset? Check your most frequent cues:
Clenched jaw / tension
Repetitive tapping
Brain fog / screen glaze
Bouncing leg/pacing
Rapid breathing
Severe sensory overload
Other personal somatic cues:
2. My Designated Go-To Reset Strategy
Select your two primary options from the front page to act as your personalized plan:
1
Strategy name & category
Specific class trigger
2
Strategy name & category
Specific class trigger
3. Micro-Reflection Tracker Log
Note your physical state on a scale of 1 (Worst) to 5 (Fully Regulated) before and after using your reset choice.
| Day / Time | Reset Option | Pre-State (1-5) | Post-State (1-5) | Observations / Sensory Notes |
|---|
| MON ___:___ | | 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 | 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 | |
| TUE ___:___ | | 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 | 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 | |
| WED ___:___ | | 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 | 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 | |
| THU ___:___ | | 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 | 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 | |
| FRI ___:___ | | 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 | 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 | |
I commit to utilizing this menu as my personal plan.
Student Sig: _____________________
Date: _________
Sensory BIP Protocol
Educator & Support Staff Protocol
Sensorimotor BIP Support Guide
Comprehensive intervention protocol, antecedent strategies, and dignified redirection pathways for Grade 12 students.
CONFIDENTIAL / IEP-BIP Staff Resource
Target Student
Student Profile
Case Manager
_________________
BIP Start Date
_________________
Target Function
Sensory Balance
1. Proactive Antecedent Strategies (Preventive)
Environmental Setup
Position student near the door or a high standing desk. Store sensory tools (putty, bands) in a clean container at their workspace.
Transition Priming
Provide a private verbal cue 2 minutes before transitions (e.g., "In 2 minutes we move; consider your sensory menu before we start").
Routine Somatic Breaks
Proactively offer a 2-minute "somatic break" halfway through long-block instructional periods, regardless of student's current arousal levels.
Dignified Cueing
Never call out sensory behaviors or stims publicly. Establish a discrete non-verbal signal (e.g., set a small card or tap the menu) to prompt.
2. Safe Replacement Behaviors
| Observed Unsafe Behavior | Sensory Function | Equivalent Safe Alternative (from Menu) |
|---|
| Skin picking / scratching hands | High focal tactile input | Utilize rough desk-edge stickers or Theraputty under the desk. |
| Tapping heavy items on desk loudly | Auditory/proprioceptive | Silent Finger Tapping Sequence or isometric desk squeeze. |
| Rapid, unsafe tilting of chair | Vestibular movement | Standing Desk conversion or ankle loop band push for calf activation. |
| Slamming desk / hitting thighs | Proprioceptive shock | Wall Press Isometric or Progressive Muscle contractions. |
3. Reactive Prompting Hierarchy (Three-Step Redirection)
Step 1: Non-Verbal Cue
Silently tap your wrist or point directly to the sensory menu on the student's desk. Allow 30 seconds of processing time before proceeding.
Step 2: Low-Volume Choice
Speak softly near desk: "I notice you need a reset. Would you like to use the Wall Press (A1) or the desk band (B1)?" Focus strictly on options.
Step 3: Designated Zone Reset
If behaviors persist, prompt: Keep language focused on supporting somatic balance, never punishment.
