Sensory overload
Also called: sensory overwhelm
Definition
Sensory overload occurs when the amount or intensity of sensory input — sounds, lights, textures, smells — becomes more than a person can comfortably process, leading to distress, shutdown, or the need to escape.
Many everyday routines are packed with sensory triggers: the sound of a hand dryer, the feel of a toothbrush, water on the face, clothing tags. What looks like resistance is often sensory distress.
Reducing these triggers — comfortable water temperature, softer textures, quieter tools, warning before a strong sensation — makes routines far calmer. It’s often the missing piece when teaching daily living skills stalls.