ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) is often discussed in the context of relaxation and sleep for adults, but there is growing interest in how sound and gentle sensory triggers may support emotional regulation for children as well.

I recently discussed this important topic with Nicola Maria-Rose, the founder of Hushaway®.

Below are the highlights and key takeaways from our conversation.

The Potential of ASMR and Sound for Emotional Regulation in Children

The following are highlights from a discussion between me (Dr. Craig Richard, founder of ASMR University) and Nicola Maria-Rose, founder of Hushaway®, recorded on March 3, 2026.

We explored how ASMR-style sound experiences may help children settle, regulate emotions, and feel safe, particularly for those who are neurodivergent or sensitive to sensory input.

We also chatted about the science behind ASMR, why some children respond differently to soothing sounds, and how parents and educators can thoughtfully introduce sound-based regulation tools.

ASMR content is a relatively new phenomenon which is rapidly increasing in popularity, with ASMR creators in high demand for their soothing content across social media channels for a wide range of audiences.

In terms of the physical response itself, ASMR is believed to be as old as humanity itself, and can be experienced in the following ways (www.ASMRUniversity/blog/WhatIsASMR):

• Physical sensations (what you feel):  light and pleasurable tingles, sparkles, fuzziness, or waves of relaxation in the head, neck, spine, and throughout the rest of the body.
• Psychological sensations (how you feel): deep and soothing feelings of relaxation, calmness, comfort, peace and restfulness, or sleepiness, a sense of wellbeing.

What Stimulates ASMR?

ASMR can be created when two elements come together, namely a warm, positive social context and soothing sensory triggers.

• Context ASMR is most likely to happen when someone kind and attentive is giving you calm, focused, personal attention. This could be a clinician, teacher, hairdresser, parent, friend or partner. What matters most is that you feel safe, you trust the person, and they are doing something helpful or interesting.
• Triggers The specific sensory cues that happen during this interaction. They might include a soft voice, the quiet sounds they make, their light touch, or the slow, smooth way they move their hands. The key is that these sensations are gentle, predictable, and non‑threatening.

A key distinction between ASMR and other soothing sounds/activities (e.g., mindfulness, white noise, etc.) is the context – i.e., the positive regard of another person.

It is thought that the context element, especially, recreates centuries of innate bonding behaviour in humans. The slow movements, quiet tones, and focused personal attention found in ASMR videos echo the fundamental signals of safety and care that help regulate our nervous system at a biological level. It is thought that ASMR works because it recreates the micro‑moments of calm connection our brains have been shaped to respond to since the very beginning of life.

Human beings are wired from birth to find comfort in gentle, responsive interaction.  Even prior to the emergence of ASMR,  research showed that infants didn’t just benefit emotionally from warm, attuned caregiving; they thrived physically when adults offered soft voices, predictable rhythms, and affectionate attention (Groark, C.J. & McCall, R.B. (2005), Spitz, R.A. (1945) & Rutter et al (1998)).

In addition, these types of interactions release dopamine (for desire), endorphins (for pleasure), oxytocin (for comfort), and serotonin (for satisfaction) [https://asmruniversity.com/origin-theory-of-asmr/]

In essence, the attention and proximity of a ‘safe’ person, combined with soothing, predictable sounds, tell the brain that the environment is safe.  Research shows that ASMR stimulation can activate the parasympathetic nervous system (the part of the brain responsible for calm and rest) (Zickl. D. 2025).

An additional study (Poerio et al 2018) has demonstrated that participants who responded positively to ASMR exposure experienced:

• Reduced heart rate
• Brain activity associated with calmness
• Increased feelings of relaxation

Why is ASMR Audio so Calming?

Even without visual cues, a gentle, slow sound, coupled with a consistent tone and rhythm, can trigger feelings that signal to the brain that the environment is safe.  This may be soothing sounds similar to those you might expect from a caregiver or a closely bonded person, or even sounds that, centuries ago, would have unconsciously signalled that our ‘tribe’ were close by, such as tapping or rustling and so it was safe to relax or fall asleep.

Why do Some Children Respond Better Than Others to ASMR? Understanding ASMR for Children.

Just like any other preference or reaction (think food or TV programmes!), ASMR is highly individual.  Different factors include:

Sensory sensitivity – some children may find certain stimuli (e.g., tapping or whispering) soothing, whilst others may find it annoying or stimulating.

Safety cues – ASMR, which mimics safety cues from the child’s own environment, may be more effective.

Differing Levels of Interoception – for example, neuro-diverse children may have a more acute awareness of internal sensations (e.g., their heartbeat, breathing, discomfort, body temperature, etc.) which may contribute to over-stimulation.

Attention span – some children absorb ASMR more easily and relax into the experience, whilst others may be more easily distracted.

Ultimately, it’s a case of trying different stimuli and observing what your child responds to best.  In a clinical environment, it is possible to measure heart rate, etc., as an indication of relaxation, but at home it may simply be: did your child feel and seem calmer?  Did they enjoy the experience?

Whilst the ‘gold standard’ might be to feel the full, uplifting effects of ASMR, as long as they enjoyed it and felt calmer and more relaxed, the sound is having a positive effect.

How to Introduce ASMR/Soothing Sounds

• Don’t be afraid to experiment; each child will have different preferences. Platforms such as HushAway®, which provide structured, predictable sound experiences designed for children, can offer a helpful starting point for families exploring sound-based emotional regulation.
• Start low volume and stay present initially so you can intervene if they find that particular sound irritating or overstimulating
• Avoid forcing exposure; if they actively resist, then it will not result in a calming experience

How can I tell if it is having a Positive Effect?

Watch for body cues, for example – slower/deeper breathing, shoulders slumped, muscles more relaxed, less fidgeting, face softening, etc.

How did your child feel?  Did they enjoy it?  Did they ask for it again?

How Can ASMR Help Children in the School Environment?

School is a noisy place!  Even in a quiet lesson, sensitive children will be aware of the many micro movements of their classmates.

Again, some individuals can ‘tune out’ those sounds easily and focus on their own activity.  For others, especially neurodivergent children, constant sounds and stimulation can keep their nervous systems in a low-level threat-detection state, thereby heightening their arousal levels.

While a child’s brain is in ‘threat detection’ mode, they are producing stress hormones and will be struggling more to focus and pay attention to their tasks.  In addition, operating at this level of hypervigilance for the duration of the school day may lead to significant overstimulation and dysregulation, either during the school day or once they get home.

Predictable soothing sounds in a structured, safe environment can reduce stress and give children the best chance possible of concentrating and learning.

Consideration of the following can help with regulation in a school setting:

• It’s not about silence (can feel tense), it’s about predictability and safety
• Avoid novelty spikes or sudden shifts
• Soothing rhythm and repetition as safety signals
• Use structured settling routines
• Keep audio low and predictable
• Observe child responses, individuals have different sensory tolerances and needs
• Ensure inclusivity, a large part of feeling safe is being attached to a bonded group

Can ASMR Help Children Settle to Sleep? The Role of ASMR for Children at Bedtime.

As ASMR sounds support relaxation and reduce the heart rate, it certainly follows that the right ASMR intervention can help with settling to sleep.   However, ASMR is not a cure for insomnia, more a regulation tool which will work best as part of a wider bedtime routine.

When Should Parents or Teachers/Caregivers Seek Additional Support?

In many cases, the introduction of soothing sounds will help the child regulate their emotions and create smoother transitions for parent/teacher and child alike, but what if nothing seems to work?

Seek professional advice from the child’s health practitioner if the child experiences  the following:

• Persistent sleep disruption, despite interventions
• Ongoing anxiety or distress
• Ongoing behavioural dysregulation
• Trauma-related responses
• Sound increases agitation

Sound can be a complementary part of an emotional regulation toolkit, but it is not a substitute for therapeutic intervention.

ASMR research is growing, and we are understanding increasingly about how this can help us to manage stress and regulate anxiety.  We do know that it works differently for each individual, but if the exposure is tailored to the preference of each child, it can be very useful as a sound regulation tool.

Learn More About ASMR

• Website: ASMR University
• TED Talk: ASMR Benefits and Brain Science
• Podcast: ASMR University Podcast
• Book: Brain Tingles

 Learn More About HushAway®

HushAway® is a UK, sound-based emotional regulation framework designed to support children in managing arousal, attention and nervous system activation within everyday environments.

• https://www.hushaway.com/

 References

Petersburg–USA Orphanage Intervention Project

Groark, C.J. & McCall, R.B. (2005) Improving Early Social‑Emotional Relationships: The St. Petersburg (Russian Federation) Orphanage Intervention Project. Presented at the Society for Research in Child Development.

Spitz’s “Hospitalism” Study

Spitz, R.A. (1945) ‘Hospitalism—An Inquiry Into the Genesis of Psychiatric Conditions in Early Childhood’, Psychoanalytic Study of the Child, 1, pp. 53–74.

Romanian Orphan Studies (Rutter et al.)

Rutter, M., Andersen-Wood, L., Beckett, C., Bredenkamp, D., Castle, J., Groothues, C., Kreppner, J., O’Connor, T., Stevens, S. & Sonuga‑Barke, E. (1998) ‘Developmental catch‑up, and deficit, following adoption after severe global early privation’, Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 39(4), pp. 465–476

Zickl, D. (2025) ‘How ASMR videos may be altering your mind, according to experts’, Popular Mechanics, 1 August.

Poerio, G. L., Blakey, E., Hostler, T. J., & Veltri, T. (2018). ‘More than a feeling: Autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) is characterized by reliable changes in affect and physiology’. PLOS ONE, 13(6), e0196645.

*******************

ASMR podcasts for Sleep & Relaxation:

• Podcast for Sleeping: Sleep Whispers
• Podcast for Relaxing: Calm History

Want to be alerted of new blog articles, and/or new podcast episodes?  Enter your email into the ***SAVE TIME*** widget (located in the sidebar or footer area).

Scroll down to Print, Share, Reblog, Like, Jump to related posts, or Comment.

This post brought to you by ASMR University.  A site with the mission of increasing the awareness, understanding, and research of the Art and Science of Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response.