Glossary
What is sensory overload?
Also called: sensory overwhelm, overstimulation, sensory overstimulation, sensory processing differences
Definition
Sensory overload happens when a child takes in more sound, light, touch, smell or movement than their brain can process at that moment, leaving them distressed, irritable or unable to function until the input reduces.
What it means
Everyone can feel overloaded in a loud, crowded place. For many autistic children, and for some children with ADHD or anxiety, the threshold is much lower and the feeling much stronger. Sensory differences are part of the diagnostic criteria for autism.
Children can be over-responsive to some senses and under-responsive to others. A child who can’t bear the hand dryer may also seek out deep pressure, spin for ages without getting dizzy or not notice they have hurt themselves. An occupational therapist can assess sensory needs in detail. “Sensory processing disorder” is a term you may come across, though it is not a separate diagnosis in DSM-5 or ICD-11.
Overload is cumulative. A child can cope with assembly, a busy lunch hall and a scratchy jumper, and then lose it over a bit of noise at 3.30 pm.
What it can look like for your child
Hands over ears, refusing to go into the supermarket, chewing sleeves, crying at birthday parties, hiding under a table, snapping at a sibling for humming. Some children go very still and quiet. Clothes labels, socks, food textures and strong smells are common triggers.
How counselling can help
We start by listening to what your child finds hard and treating it as real. Our room is kept calm, and children can adjust lighting, use ear defenders, sit on a beanbag or keep their hands busy. In sessions we help children learn their own early signs of overload and practise ways to recover. We can share what we learn with school, for example about a quieter place to eat or leave the classroom early.