Sensory tools and products that can help you regulate

Tools that work with your nervous system

Sometimes techniques alone are not enough, especially when your environment is loud, busy or unpredictable. Sensory tools can reduce the input coming in, or give your body the kind of input that helps it settle.

There is no single “right” kit. The best tools are the ones that suit your sensory needs, your budget and your daily life. Many people find it helpful to try low-cost options first before buying something more expensive.

For sound

• Noise-cancelling headphones: reduce background noise in busy places like shopping centres, public transport or open-plan offices. Many autistic people and people with trauma find these one of the most useful tools they own.
• Loop-style or high-fidelity earplugs: soften noise while still letting you hear conversation. Good for social events, work and school pick-up.
• White, pink or brown noise: through an app, speaker or fan, to mask unpredictable sounds, especially at night.
• A calming playlist: saved offline so it is ready when you need it.

For sight

• Sunglasses or a cap: helpful in bright shops and under fluorescent lighting.
• Warm or dimmable lighting: lamps, smart globes or fairy lights instead of harsh overhead lights at home.
• Blackout curtains or an eye mask: for sleep and for rest during the day.
• Tinted lenses: some people find these helpful for light sensitivity. Talk with an optometrist.

For touch and pressure

• Weighted blankets, lap pads or wraps: some adults find the deep pressure calming. A randomised trial found weighted chain blankets improved insomnia in adults with psychiatric conditions (Ekholm et al., PMC), although a later review found the overall evidence for insomnia was mixed (Complementary Therapies in Medicine). Weighted blankets may be harmful for children under six (NDIS Our Guidelines), so please get advice from an occupational therapist before using one with a child, and always make sure the person can remove it themselves.
• Compression clothing or stretchy sensory sheets: offer gentle, even pressure.
• Soft, tag-free clothing: small changes can reduce constant background irritation.
• A textured item in your pocket: a smooth stone, a piece of fabric, a keyring.

For busy hands and bodies

• Fidget tools: spinners, tangles, putty, stress balls, fidget rings or textured strips.
• Chewable jewellery or chew tools: for people who regulate through oral input.
• Wobble cushions or a rocking chair: for people who settle with movement.
• Resistance bands or a hand grip: for pushing or pulling when energy builds up.

For temperature and smell

• Instant ice packs or a reusable cold pack: keep one in your bag or the freezer for quick cold input.
• Heat packs or a wheat bag: for warmth when you feel flat or shut down.
• A familiar scent: a hand cream, a rollerball or a piece of clothing that smells like a safe person or place. Keep in mind that strong scents can be overwhelming for some people, and essential oils can be unsafe around pets and young children.

Apps and digital tools

• Breathing and grounding apps: many free options guide slow breathing or body scans.
• Calendar reminders and visual timers: to prompt check-ins and breaks, especially helpful if body signals are hard to notice.

Building a calm kit

A calm kit is a small bag or box of your favourite tools, ready to grab. You might keep one at home, one in the car and one in your work or school bag. A simple kit could include:

• Earplugs or headphones
• A fidget or textured item
• An instant ice pack or heat pack
• A favourite scent
• A card with your go-to grounding steps written on it
• A snack and water
• The phone number of a safe person

Before you buy: what to consider

• Try before you commit: borrow from a friend, visit a sensory store or ask an OT if they have samples.
• Check the return policy, especially for more expensive items.
• Think about where you will use it. A tool that lives in a cupboard will not help.
• Look for quality and safety, particularly with weighted items, chewables and anything for children.
• You do not need to spend a lot. A cold drink, a hoodie and a playlist can be just as powerful as anything on a shelf.

What about NDIS funding?

This is an area where it is important to get current advice for your own plan.

The NDIS says it may fund sensory equipment that meets its funding criteria, and that it needs evidence from an allied health professional explaining why the equipment is needed (NDIS Our Guidelines). Low-cost assistive technology is generally described as items under $1,500, shown in the Core Consumables part of a budget (NDIS).

Since the NDIS Supports Rules came into effect in October 2024, many sensory products have been harder to fund. A government consultation report noted that “most sensory products are included on the ‘out’ list”, while many people told the government that tools like fidgets, weighted blankets, chewables and noise-cancelling headphones are genuine regulation supports, not toys (Department of Health, Disability and Ageing). Further consultation on proposed changes to the rules is open during August to October 2026.

What this means in practice:

• Do not buy something expecting to be reimbursed until you have checked with your plan manager or support coordinator.
• An occupational therapy assessment can help explain how your sensory needs link to your disability and what tools are most likely to help.
• If an item is not funded, a support coordinator can help you explore other options, including the replacement supports process.

How MHRC can help

Our support coordinators can help you understand what your plan may cover, connect with an occupational therapist and prepare the evidence you need. Our recovery coaches can help you trial tools, build a calm kit and work out what genuinely makes a difference day to day.

Call to action: Not sure what your plan can cover? Talk to MHRC about support coordination or Psychosocial Recovery Coaching.

Sources

• Ekholm, B. et al. A randomized controlled study of weighted chain blankets for insomnia in psychiatric disorders. PMC
• Safety and effectiveness of weighted blankets for symptom management. ScienceDirect
• Sensory equipment. NDIS Our Guidelines
• Assistive technology explained. NDIS
• Consultation on NDIS Supports Rules (2025): What we heard, August 2026. Department of Health, Disability and Ageing