ADHD and sensory overload
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By Amanda Morin
Expert reviewed by Ellen Braaten, PhD
Quick tips for managing sensory overload
- Quick tip 1Look for triggers around you.Look for triggers around you.
Tune in to your surroundings. Intentionally focusing on what’s happening around you can help you figure out if there’s too much sensory information coming from a sound, sight, smell, or something else you didn’t initially notice.
- Quick tip 2Have some calm-down time.Have some calm-down time.
If you’re out in public, try to find a calmer place. If you’re home, move to a place that’s soothing. If it’s not possible from where you are, ask other people to give you some space until you’re feeling calmer.
- Quick tip 3Take time to recover.Take time to recover.
Sensory overload can be emotionally and physically exhausting. And when calming down, both kids and adults might feel embarrassed or guilty about how they’ve reacted in the moment. Everyone should take time to collect themselves.
Food textures. The feel of certain types of clothing. Changes in routine. Sensory overload happens when something overstimulates one or more of the senses. There’s suddenly too much information coming in for the brain to process. It’s common in people with sensory processing issues.
Many people associate sensory overload with kids who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD). But it can happen with other diagnoses too, like ADHD. Researchers are still looking into exactly why this happens. But they’ve found there are certain types of sensory information, like clothing and food textures, that are more likely to cause it.
Some ADHD symptoms — like trouble paying attention to what’s going on around you — may lead to sensory overload. When you’re not tuned in, sensory information can sneak up on you.
Imagine rushing to leave in the morning and suddenly realizing how late it is. In the two minutes you have, you grab the first shirt and pair of shoes you find and throw them on. But the shirt you grabbed has an itchy tag, and the shoes pinch your feet. Once you’re on your way, it’s too late. Your uncomfortable clothing has already created a sensory overload situation.
There are also other reasons people with ADHD may experience sensory overload. Trouble with self-regulation can be a factor. So can struggling with switching gears (flexible thinking).
Dive deeper
The connection to flexible thinking
Some people with ADHD have trouble with set shifting — a type of flexible thinking. Set shifting allows people to see mistakes and change how they approach a situation. It also helps them move on from a thought or an activity to something else.
When people get “stuck” in what they’re doing or thinking about, they’re not processing other information. Then, when they tune back in and register everything that’s happening, they may experience sensory overload.
Learn more about “getting stuck,” or perseveration.
Managing emotions and sensory overload
For people with ADHD, self-monitoring and self-regulation can be hard. They can have a hard time managing emotions. So they might overreact to things that don’t seem like a big deal to others.
Some kids have a hard time sitting still during meals and rush to leave the table without eating much at all. And some adults get so focused on work that they forget to eat. They’re not self-monitoring and tuning in to how their body feels. In both cases, eventually they’re so hungry that they can’t think straight and get “hangry.”
Learn more about ADHD and trouble managing emotions.
How to help kids with sensory overload
Most kids experience sensory overload at one time or another. But even when a child’s ADHD is managed well, there still may be sensory issues that get in the way of everyday life. When that happens, it’s important to seek further help.
Parents and caregivers: Start by talking with a health care provider or teacher about a referral to an occupational therapist. You can also explore sensory strategies to try at home.
Educators: Explore classroom accommodations for sensory processing issues.