Sensory Overload and How Assistive Technology Can Help

By Kayla Lindsay

Overview of Sensory Overload

Sensory overload occurs when the brain becomes overwhelmed trying to process sensory input within their environment [6, 7, 8, 9]. Any of the five senses can cause this response to occur: touch, taste, sight, smell and hear. When the brain is overstimulated by trying to process too much sensory information, the body sends a signal to the sympathetic nervous system, resulting in a physiological response. It can be a flight, fight or freeze response. This response informs the person that they may need to remove themselves from the stimuli or environment causing this response. It is important to differentiate sensory overload from a simple annoyance, it can cause anxiety, irritation and aggression. This can happen to anyone, however it is highly associated with other health conditions [12, 13].

This is a common symptom experienced within multiple developmental disabilities such as autism-spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), cerebral palsy, and anxiety disorders [5]. Sensory overload is often synonymous with overstimulation. A person can be overstimulated with more sensory information than they are able to process or control. Sensory overload can have many triggers and the level of its intensity can vary based on the person’s tolerance. For instance, children experiencing sensory overload may respond in a tantrum or meltdown, whereas an adult experiencing sensory overload may respond in frustration or aggression [5, 6]. Common triggers for sensory overload include bright lights, loud noises, strong scents, crowded environments, and different textures [6].

Developmental Disabilities & Sensory Overload

Sensory overload and overstimulation appear differently across the different developmental disorders. Developmental disabilities are categorized as a group of conditions that are detected at birth and can affect an individual’s intellectual, physical, language or behavior abilities [5]. The following is a list of some of the most common developmental disabilities and how each one differs in their experience with sensory overload.

Autism

Autism-spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder associated with difficulties in communication, social interaction, and repetitive behavioral patterns [14, 15]. The neurobiological differences in individuals with autism can cause processing overload from their environment [13, 14, 15]. This contributes to their difficulty in managing physiological and emotional responses. Their response stems from their autonomic nervous system (ANS) [14]. The ANS is responsible for a wide range of bodily functions that help maintain equilibrium [1, 3, 14]. The presentation of sensory overload will differ based on the individual. The most notable neurobiological differences is their hyper- or hypo-sensitivity to certain stimuli. Hyper-sensitivity is a strong or intense reaction to sensory stimuli, while hypo-sensitivity is the lack of an expected response to a sensory stimuli [20]. Sensory sensitivity plays a major role in how autistic individuals process information, which can cause sensory overload or overstimulation. Sensory sensitivities can result from different triggers such as: visual, auditory, tactile (touch), olfactory (smells or odors) or gustatory (taste) triggers [13, 15]. 

Common signs and behaviors that occur from sensory overload or overstimulation from an environment can be showcased as the following:

• Withdrawing from a situation/preferring to be in solitude

• Anxiety or difficulty staying engaged

• Meltdowns or tantrums

• Stimming, or repetition of movement, sound or words

• Sensory-seeking behaviors (spinning, tapping, rocking, etc.)

ADHD

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, ADHD is a developmental disorder defined as a set of behaviors that include ongoing hyperactivity and impulsivity that affects an individual’s functioning [11]. Overstimulation for an individual with ADHD can present itself in a variety of emotional and physical responses. Specific triggers will vary based on the individual, which is why it is important to identify and find effective ways to control those precise triggers in the individual’s life [2]. To start this process, here are some common triggers that can cause overstimulation include:

• Oversensitivity, where the individual may have a heightened sensitivity to sensory input from their environment such as sound, light, scent, feel or taste. The processing of this information in the brain can be difficult and overwhelming, whereas someone who does not have ADHD may be able to tolerate the environmental stimuli.

• Executive dysfunction, where the individuals’ ability to utilize their working memory, maintain attention, and make decisions is impaired. Executive functioning allows for completion of tasks, focus and overall organization of tasks and duties. For an individual with ADHD, this can be difficult to balance and perform, which can lead to overstimulation.

• Emotional dysregulation, which can derive neurological differences in the brain and cause strong and unpredictable responses to emotional situations. Those with ADHD may experience difficulty with responding or managing their emotional experiences, which can result in inappropriate or intense emotional reactions such as meltdowns or shutdowns.

These triggers are often felt and experienced internally for the individual. As a parent, caregiver or friend, it is important to recognize some of the signs and behaviors that can manifest from an individual experiencing overstimulation:

• Strong emotional reactions or outbursts

• Anxiety or stress

• Fatigue or exhaustion

• Impulsivity

• Difficulty completing tasks

Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy is a group of neurological disorders that affects movement, muscle tone, balance and posture, which is a result of damage to the area of the brain that is responsible for sensory processing [21, 22, 23]. Individuals with cerebral palsy vary in severity and can have a multitude of difficulties that affect the whole body or part of the body. The most common symptoms of cerebral palsy are mobility issues, speech, eating and coordination. With this disorder, people with cerebral palsy can experience sensory integrative dysfunction. Sensory integrative dysfunction is when the brain has difficulty receiving and processing sensory information [23]. This can cause sensory-seeking behaviors, hyper- or hypo-sensitivity to their environments which can lead to mental and physical limitations such as inappropriate muscle activity, poor coordination, weak muscles, limited vision, difficulty hearing, fatigue, stress and more [21, 22, 24]. 

Assistive Technologies for Sensory Challenges

Sensory challenges or overstimulation can occur often within a lifetime and impact an individual’s daily life, such as their ability to learn and operate in certain situations such as the classroom, work, or at home. Assistive technologies can be useful in helping manage some of these challenges and support their sensory needs to live a more fulfilling life. When choosing an assistive technology, it is important to meet with a medical professional such as a sensory therapist who can aid in sensory integration therapy or occupational therapist, who can help guide the selection process and recommend the most appropriate coping methods or tool for the individual [1, 2, 4, 13, 16]. 

Assistive technology can range in levels from low-tech (like picture boards or weighted vests), mid-tech (battery-operated toys or tools) to high-tech (like a tablet or computerized device). Each of these subgroups will also vary in technological experience and cost. For a more general overview of how assistive technologies can be used for different sensory challenges, view the selection of different assistive techs for each developmental disability listed below. 

Many of the assistive technologies listed below may overlap between disabilities, as they are not entirely specific and useful for one single disability. This list is non-expansive and shows how everyday mainstream technology can be used to improve, maintain or support those with varying challenges. It is important to note that these tools are not to replace behavior-based interventions recommended by a skilled therapist, but to be used in addition to supplement these interventions.

Autism

Assistive technology for sensory challenges among those with autism are generally focused on managing hyper- and hypo-sensitivity to sensory stimuli. Sensory therapists could recommend some of the following to provide the following tools to regulate their sensory systems [1, 4, 6, 15, 19].

• To calm the nervous system: 

  • weighted blankets or vests, 

  • rainmaker machines/toys, 

  • mobile apps/games such as Brainworks, Headspace, Miracle Modus or Heat Pad

• To reduce hypersensitivity: 

  • trampolines, 

  • ball pits, swings, 

  • tinted glasses, 

  • noise-canceling headphones

ADHD 

Assistive technology for sensory challenges among those with ADHD are geared towards focusing and maintaining their attention in different contexts such as the classroom and home life [17, 18, 19]. The benefits of these assistive technologies are enhanced organization in daily tasks, time management, increased productivity and overall improved executive functioning, which can reduce or manage the occurrence of sensory overload or overstimulation. Some of the most common assistive techs to support these challenges are listed below:

• Fidget toys

• Stress balls

• Voice-recognition software

• Read-aloud software such as audiobooks

• Alarms and digital calendars

• Screen magnifiers

• Portable word processors

• Electronic worksheets

• Noise-canceling headphones

Cerebral Palsy

Assistive technologies for those with cerebral palsy are more geared towards assisting them with their activities of daily living, as well as practices for sensory integration therapy [23]. Sensory integration therapy is a practice that helps young children strengthen the bonds in their brain to process and interpret sensory information [23, 24]. There are no specific assistive technologies for sensory overload or overstimulation, however these common technologies are helpful for them to communicate more effectively and perform tasks that cater to their sensory issues [23, 24, 25, 26].

• Communication boards, speech-generated devices or writing pads to bridge the speech difficulties, if present

• Adaptive grips or cuffs to guide motor skills with handheld tools like utensils, toothbrushes, pencils, cups, etc.

• Non-slip plates or bowls

• Hearing aids or implants

• Standing frames

• Walkers or wheelchairs

References:

1. Addressing Sensory Needs for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Classroom - Jaclyn M. Dynia, Katherine M. Walton, Grace M. Sagester, Elizabeth K. Schmidt, Kelly J. Tanner, 2023 (sagepub.com)

2. ADHD & Sensory Overload In Adults: Managing Overstimulation (simplypsychology.org)

3. A Sensory Approach to the Treatment and Management of Children with Autism - Debra Galvin Cook, 1991 (sagepub.com)

4. Assistive Technology for Autism: Tools and Benefits (verywellhealth.com)

5. Developmental Disabilities: Types, Causes, Coping (verywellmind.com)

6. Sensory Symptoms in Autism Spectrum Disorders : Harvard Review of Psychiatry (lww.com)

7. Sensory overload: Symptoms, causes, and treatment (medicalnewstoday.com)

8. Sensory Overload: Symptoms, Conditions, Self-Help Tips | Psych Central

9. Sensory Overload: What It Is and How To Manage (clevelandclinic.org)

10. Sensory Overload: How This Condition Can Trigger Anxiety and More (webmd.com)

11. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder - National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

12. Sensory Overload: Symptoms, Causes, Related Conditions, and More (healthline.com)

13. Autism Sensory Overload: Causes, Symptoms, and Coping Strategies (bridgecareaba.com)

14. Acceptance and User Experience of an Augmented  Reality System for the Simulation of Sensory  Overload in Children with Autism

15. Sensory Symptoms in Autism: A Blooming, Buzzing Confusion? - Pellicano - 2013 - Child Development Perspectives - Wiley Online Library

16. Sensory Integration Therapy and Autism

17. Sensory strategies for ADHD

18. ADHD in the Classroom: Finding the Right Assistive Technology

19. The Benefits of Assistive Technology for ADHD

20. Autism Sensory Overload and Overstimulation (achievingstarstherapy.com)

21. Cerebral Palsy | Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment (cerebralpalsyguide.com)

22. Cerebral palsy - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic

23. Sensory Integration Dysfunction - Fact Sheet (birthdefects.org)

24. Sensory Integration Therapy | Sensory | CerebralPalsy.orgCerebralPalsy.org

25. Communication Devices for Cerebral Palsy | Learn How They Can Help (cerebralpalsyguide.com)

26. Assistive Technology for Cerebral Palsy (everydayhealth.com)