karenyoung_heysigmund
They’re often called sensory preferences, but they’re sensory needs.
In our adult worlds we can move our bodies and ourselves to seek regulation. If we don’t like noise we’re less likely to be DJs for example. If we don’t love heights we’re less likely to be pilots or skydivers. If we feel overwhelmed, we can step outside, go into an office, go to the bathroom, or pop on headphones for a break. If we need to move, we can stand, walk to get a tea. At school, this is so much harder.
When bodies don’t feel safe, there will be anxiety. This will potentially drive fight (anger, tantrums), flight (avoidance, running away, movement), or shutdown (in quiet distress and can’t learn).
These are physiological issues NOT behavioural ones.
Whenever we can, we need to support physiological safety by accommodating sensory needs AND support brave behaviour. What’s tricky is disentangling anxiety driven by unmet sensory needs, from anxiety driven by brave behaviour.
The way through is to support their physiological needs, then move them towards brave behaviour.
Schools want to support this. They want all kids to be happy and the best they can be, but there will be a limit on their capacity to support this - not because they don’t want to, but because of a scarcity of resources.
There will often be many children with different physiological needs. Outside school there is nowhere else that has to accommodate so many individual needs, because as adults we won’t be drawn to environments that don’t feel okay. In contrast, school requires all kids to attend and stay regulated in the one environment.
For now, we don’t have a lot of options. Yes there are schools outside mainstream, and yes there is home school, but these options aren’t available to everyone.
So, until mainstream schools are supported with the resources (staff, spaces, small classes, less demand on curriculum … and the list goes on), what can we do?
- Help school with specific ways to support your child’s physiology while being mindful that teachers are also attending to the needs of 25+ other nervous systems. But be specific.
- Limit the list. Make this a ‘bare minimum needs’ list, not a ‘preferences’ one.♥️
Hannah W (verified owner) –
What wonderful resources for our little people! Fantastic illustrations. The warrior toy comes in a lovely bag to keep them safe, and the key ring is super sweet. Everything is made from quality materials. A fantastic investment in my children
Amanda B (verified owner) –
My 10 year has thrived after getting this books and finds comfort in his new best mate ‘Archie’. Highly recommend
Susan S (verified owner) –
These books are a must for any therapist or parent. Thank you so much for your work on writing them!
Drew (verified owner) –
These books are wonderful. I am using them with some wellbeing groups at a primary school and they provide an awesome conversation and learning opportunity for us to share together. Thank you!
Kay B –
Can’t wait to read these to my 11 grandchildren. Love understanding the brain. Love, love my brain and how I can get it to serve me well🩷
NanaKaren (verified owner) –
Over time I have purchased enough of these books to keep a set for use in my work as a mental health therapist, and a set to share with my grandchildren ages 8 & 10 y/o. I also have a set at home. My grandchildren recently experienced some major challenges occurring at exactly the time they were about to travel with family across country, leaving family on one side to visit us on the other. I started receiving distress calls the night before they were to leave, to the point that the family member they were to travel with felt the trip might need to be cancelled. As the distress continued before they left their home, I remembered I had my new set in my home office and pulled them out to read with them. I had forgotten that I had sent the first set ordered to them until my granddaughter left the call to grab their books! I got to be Nana, not therapist! It was easy to follow them through the set of books to explore and promote their ability to calm themselves and recall times their warrior had been too strong–like the night before. They talked through several worries and frustrations about leaving their other coast family, and were also able to recall using things learned from the books to settle themselves. They got on the plane, and before takeoff called to tell me they were anxious but using their ideas and skills learned through the books to get through the trip. They are now here and while they have anxious moments and worries about their other coast family, they are sharing those feelings aloud and telling us how they are returning to having a WONDERFUL time! I am so proud of them for their self-awareness and ability to understand that they can reach calm on their own (they’re telling us afterward!) and how they intentionally seek us out when they feel the need. I know Karen Young’s books have made a huge difference for my family, and those I support in therapy. Thank you so much for such relevant positive, caring and beautiful books to address a very challenging need for so many of us as adults and with our family members. These beautiful books make lovely gifts to kids, parents, teachers, and grandparents or donations to libraries.
Holly Ann K (verified owner) –
These books are absolutely stunning… the artwork is so beautiful. And that’s not to mention the content. They also support each other so well, but don’t get too redundant. My boys and I read the first one and I have skimmed the others in awe. My boys also are older, 12.5 and 10 and loved it still, so it’s not just for little kids. We have been working a lot on emotional regulation and this is going to help. I am so glad I came across these. And my 10 year old already sleeps with the plushie, so I love that too. Anyway, totally worth it and I can’t wait to read the others with my boys and have more big juicy conversations and reference points for us in this emotional regulation/EQ learning journey. Thank you so much for crating such helpful beauty!
Linda (verified owner) –
I love Karen’s work, and this bundle of books is beautifully written and illustrated. It is a fantastic resource kit ideal for teaching young children about anxiety while teaching them tools they can use for life.
Aimée (verified owner) –
I just happened to come across these books online and then ended up booking onto the Auckland Anxiety course last minute, so informative and helpful to support parenting throughout the years . Also helped to understand the books better. These books are beautiful to read and great words to support adults and children . Love the Hey warrior & Hey awesome the best.
Nicoleta (verified owner) –
Child and adult, we simply adored these books. My finding came at the perfect time, when my daughter needed it the most. Great stories and marvelous illustrations!
Pearl (verified owner) –
We’ve enjoyed reading and learning from these books.My daughter loves her teddy too.
Zoe H (verified owner) –
I brought this for my daughter after she had a lady come yo school and talk about it . We absolutely love it the books are amazing and she just loves the plushie she’s been sleeping so well since we got him.
Brooke (verified owner) –
I absolutely adore this set! I’m a play therapy’s in the US so figured I might as well order a bundle. The plush sits in my cozy corner in the play room and kids are so curious about it. Great way to introduce psychoeducation into child centered play. Also use the book and plush together as a directive approach. This book is so well written to explain the brain and stress reactions to kids, as well as introduce coping skills. I love it!
Aleisha (verified owner) –
Best books ever for children struggling with anxiety
Karen D P (verified owner) –
My supervisor bought me a set of the smaller one with three books and I liked it so much I bought the bigger one. I was a little disappointed that it did not have the book, “But We Are Not Lions.”
Victoria B (verified owner) –
Everything about this package is beautifly thoughtful, from the packaging that it arrived in right to the back pages. My son loves the plush and books. We loved that you could pick any page to start with in Hey Awesome. I have recommended this to the Learning Support team I work with at School. Highly recommended to all ages and all people with or without anxiety. Love it!
Christine (verified owner) –
Very glad I purchased. Son doesn’t like many books and I was worried he wouldn’t want to listen to the messages. The first page gave us permission not to read in order and we pick a random page every night. He wants to take the book ‘Hey Awsome’ to school. Highly recommend.
Janette w –
Awesome! My son really liked it. It really supported me as a mom knowing that there are more kids out there like mine.
Danielle (verified owner) –
Fantastic books and my son loves the teddy. All my kids want one now. Great resource for any kids who suffer anxiety and nervous stress on any level. Even mild.
Yanina K (verified owner) –
This books are carefully and insightfully written to explain in a simple yet caring way how anxiety works in our body. The illustration is magnificent. The plushie wraps up the whole message. We loved it.
Giselle (verified owner) –
Such a great help to explain anxiety to kids
Lidia (verified owner) –
I have used the ultimate resource pack with ALL my clients from ages 3 – 17. I find it the MOST helpful tool for explaining how their brain works on and off anxiety, why they react as they do and most importantly how to manage it and strengthen their brain to make different choices in behavior.. EVERYONE loves the stuffed Amygdala and they ALL hold onto him as we are exploring our brain and how awesome they are. Thank you so much for this! As a child therapist – I can attest to the efficiency and ease of using your tools to help kids in therapy (and all others as well – I have used it with my 18 year old and twin 11 year olds as well).
Lindsey (verified owner) –
I love the ultimate resource pack! I’ve ordered this from England. I have children who are grieving the loss of their father and as a result they are suffering from anxiety. This pack has helped me to explain to them what is happening in their body and why they have some of the physical responses. The plushie Amygdala is awesome and this is great for them to hold while we talk about whats happening. The books are easy to understand and beautifully illustrated. Its a genius idea and has been very helpful. Thank you.
Angela S (verified owner) –
What can I say, the book set is amazing, came beautifully wrapped and packaged, both me and my daughter learned some tips on how to handle our anxiety ❤️ Very happy
Kelley (verified owner) –
Just ordered this set, it’s wonderful! My daughter’s therapist introduced her to the amygdala character and book – this really helped her to better understand her anxiety and what was happening in her body. She’s named her amygdala plush and talks to him when he’s acting up! What a wonderful tool to help kids (and adults!) process and better manage anxiety or panic attacks.