A Regulation Basket is a portable, personal toolkit filled with items that support sensory regulation, emotional grounding, and flare recovery across all ALPIMS zones.
🔑 How to Use It
- Keep one basket per person—or per location (e.g., bedside, car, school bag).
- Label or code items by zone (🟢 Green / 🟡 Yellow / 🔴 Red / 🔵 Blue / ⚫ Black).
- Rotate items depending on tolerance (e.g., scent-free versions for MCAS days).
🧠 Suggested Categories and Items
🎧 Auditory Tools
- Noise-cancelling headphones (e.g., Bose, Loop Earplugs)
- Preloaded music playlists (calm, rhythmic, grounding)
- White/brown noise device or app
- Soft nature sound player (e.g., ocean, rain)
🧴 Scent & Breath Tools
- Scent vial (lavender, vanilla, eucalyptus—only if tolerated)
- Saline spray or fresh cloth (unscented) for clearing irritants
- Calm breath cue card (“Box Breathing” diagram)
- Aromatherapy inhaler stick (low-irritant, e.g., Beekeeper’s Naturals)
🧸 Tactile Anchors
- Weighted wrap or lap pad (portable size)
- Smooth stone, worry bead, soft fabric swatch
- Mini massager or handheld vibration device
- Fidget cube, tangle toy, soft squishy
🧺 Comfort + Calm Gear
- Soft socks or gloves (for Raynaud’s or sensory comfort)
- Eye mask or dimming glasses
- Cooling cloth or warming rice pack
- Flare-friendly snack (plain rice crackers, electrolyte gel)
📄 Visual + Cognitive Supports
- Zone cards (“I’m in Red Zone—need quiet”)
- Visual task menus (MES options)
- Emotion cards or feelings wheel
- Written script for shutdown or meltdown (e.g., “Please wait—I’ll speak soon”)
💧 Hydration + Survival Basics
- Electrolyte drops (e.g., Hi-Lyte or LMNT Raw)
- Mini water bottle with flip lid
- Small snack or oral calming item (xylitol-free mint, plain oat biscuit)
🧭 Optional Add-Ins by Zone
| Zone | Add-Ins |
|---|---|
| 🟢 Green | Journal + pen, gratitude cards, mild puzzles or sensory play clay |
| 🟡 Yellow | Sensory cue card (e.g., “pause and breathe”), calming audio file, pressure band |
| 🔴 Red | Weighted item, safe word card, sunglasses, guided body scan audio |
| 🔵 Blue | Soft-touch items, familiar scent vial, grounding storybook, silent timer |
| ⚫ Black | Emergency support card, crisis line number, laminated safety reminder: “This will pass.” |