Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects the way individuals communicate and interact with others.

While most people with autism have some common symptoms like difficulty in social interaction or repetitive behaviors, sensory overload is a frequently overlooked challenge that can greatly impact daily life.

What is Sensory Overload?

Sensory overload is when an individual experiences an overstimulation of the senses. People with autism often experience sensory overload, and it can manifest itself in different ways for different individuals.

Some common sensory stimuli that are known to be triggering for people with autism are:.

Loud noises
Bright flashing lights
An overwhelming smell
The sensation of touching certain textures or materials
Crowded or confined spaces

When a person with autism experiences sensory overload, it can be overwhelming and cause anxiety or even physical pain. The experience can vary from individual to individual and even vary depending on the environment.

It’s important to understand and mitigate sensory overload to help individuals with autism thrive in their environment.

Signs of Sensory Overload in Autism

Most people with autism may experience a combination of some of these signs when experiencing sensory overload:.

Overreaction or strong emotional reactions to sensory stimuli
Agitation or anxiety
Difficulty concentrating
Physical discomfort, including headaches and nausea
Withdrawal from a social situation
Difficulty processing information quickly or accurately

How to help someone with Autism in a Sensory Overload Situation

Coping mechanisms for sensory overload can vary from individual to individual, so it’s essential to understand the person’s specific sensory profile and the best way to help them during a sensory overload situation. Here are some tips to help:.

Avoid triggers as much as possible
Provide a calming or distraction tool nearby
Remove them from the environment or situation causing the sensory overload
Ask if they need help and validate their feelings
Give them time and space to recover
Create a comforting environment with dim lights, comfortable furniture and/or soothing music

Sensory Integration Therapy

Sensory integration therapy aims to help people better process sensory information by providing targeted sensory stimuli in a controlled environment.

The approach differs based on the individual’s sensory profile and can include activities such as playing with sand or other textures, noise desensitization, and body movement exercises. Sensory integration therapy can help an individual become more comfortable with both sensory overload and sensory deprivation.

Conclusion

Sensory overload is a common challenge faced by people with autism. By understanding what it is, what causes it, and how we can mitigate it, we can help those individuals have a more comfortable and fulfilling experience.

Sensory integration therapy is one such approach that can help people with autism process sensory stimuli and better assimilate them into their daily lives.