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Think your child is misbehaving at school? A psychologist says these 7 signs could point to sensory overload

Think your child is misbehaving at school? A psychologist says these 7 signs could point to sensory overload

From fidgeting to tummy aches, a psychologist reveals the school-day behaviours parents can easily misread.

Ruairidh Pritchard

Published: September 30, 2026 at 12:48 PM

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Your child won't sit still in class. Their school uniform is suddenly unbearable. They come home exhausted or have a meltdown over something that seems tiny. It's easy to see these behaviours as fussiness or misbehaviour, but there could be something else going on.

For some children, the sights, sounds and physical sensations of an ordinary school day can become overwhelming. And sensory overload doesn't always look obvious from the outside.

Dr Bijal Chheda, Consultant Psychologist and Founder of Nos Curare, says there are several ways sensory overload can show up at school, including some signs parents may not immediately connect with their child's senses. Here are seven to look out for.

1. They can focus at home, but struggle in the classroom

Ever wondered how your child can spend an hour absorbed in a jigsaw, then struggle to sit through 15 minutes of a lesson?

It isn't necessarily simply a lack of attention. A classroom can mean background chatter, constant movement and other distractions all competing for a child's attention at once. For a child experiencing sensory overload, that can make focusing on their teacher or work much harder.

Persistent attention difficulties can have several possible causes, including ADHD and specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, so concerns shouldn't automatically be put down to sensory overload. If there's an ongoing pattern affecting your child's learning, seeking professional advice can help establish what might be contributing.

2. They can't stand their school uniform

The morning battle over a scratchy jumper, tight collar or annoying label might seem minor to an adult, but for a child with sensory sensitivities, that physical sensation can remain distracting all day.

Instead of assuming they simply hate their uniform, ask exactly what feels uncomfortable. Identifying one irritating seam, label or fabric could make the problem easier to tackle.

A softer layer worn underneath or removing an irritating label, for example, may help make the school day more comfortable.

3. They're constantly fidgeting

Leg bouncing, finger tapping and shifting around in their seat can easily be interpreted as a child not listening.

But movement can also be an instinctive response to sensory overload. Dr Chheda says these movements send signals from the muscles and joints to the brain which can help some children regulate themselves and concentrate.

For some children, an appropriate fidget tool may offer a more purposeful outlet. If their need for movement is regularly interfering with learning, however, it may be worth seeking professional advice to understand what's driving it.

4. A tiny problem causes a huge meltdown

A change of plan or seemingly small disappointment can sometimes lead to a reaction that appears completely out of proportion.

But the final trigger isn't necessarily the whole story. Dr Chheda explains that prolonged sensory overload can leave a child's nervous system in a heightened state of alert, making additional stresses harder to cope with.

That means yelling, becoming extremely upset or completely shutting down may come after they've already spent hours trying to manage an overwhelming environment.

Rather than demanding an explanation while they're distressed, Dr Chheda advises giving them time to settle before talking through what happened.

5. School assemblies are particularly difficult

Assemblies can combine bright lights, amplified sound and a room full of children, exactly the kind of environment that may be particularly challenging for someone sensitive to sensory input.

Once you've identified specific triggers, adjustments such as noise-cancelling headphones or access to a quieter space may help reduce the strain.

Heightened sensory sensitivity is also common among autistic children. If you're concerned your child's experiences could be connected to autism, speak to an appropriate healthcare professional about their wider development and whether further assessment may be useful.

6. They keep complaining of tummy aches

Repeated stomach aches shouldn't automatically be dismissed as an attempt to get out of school.

Feeling overwhelmed can produce physical symptoms, and Dr Chheda says prolonged stress can cause genuine stomach discomfort.

Try gently asking your child what was happening before their tummy started hurting. You may begin to spot patterns involving particular environments or moments in their day, such as a noisy classroom, busy lunch hall or unexpected change to their routine.

Persistent or worrying stomach pain should, of course, also be discussed with an appropriate healthcare professional rather than assumed to have a sensory cause.

7. They're completely wiped out after school

Does your child walk through the front door after an apparently ordinary day and seem completely exhausted?

Continually adapting to sensory challenges can place demands on both the brain and body, according to Dr Chheda, potentially leaving a child mentally and physically drained by home time.

Instead of immediately asking for a full rundown of their day, giving them a little time to decompress first may help. Changing into comfortable clothes and having some quiet time can form part of a predictable after-school routine.

So when should parents be concerned?

None of these signs automatically means your child is experiencing sensory overload. Concentration difficulties, meltdowns, physical symptoms and tiredness can all have multiple explanations.

But if you're noticing a recurring pattern that's affecting your child's learning, wellbeing or ability to cope with school, it's worth looking beyond the behaviour itself.

Speaking to your child's school may help you understand whether teachers are noticing the same triggers or patterns. And if sensory difficulties are having a significant impact on everyday life, Dr Chheda recommends seeking advice from a qualified professional who can explore what's happening and what support might be appropriate.

About our expert, Dr Bijal Chheda

Dr Bijal Chheda is a Consultant Psychologist and Founder of Nos Curare Mental Health Clinic in London. She is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Practitioner Psychologist and is a member of the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP). She is also a licensed psychometric and psychological assessor under the British Psychological Society's Register of Qualifications in Test Use (RQTU).

Authors

Ruairidh PritchardDigital Growth Lead

Ruairidh is the Digital Lead on MadeForMums. He works with a team of fantastically talented content creators and subject-matter experts on MadeForMums.