Sensory Overload

A state in which the brain receives more sensory input than it can effectively process, leading to stress, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and in severe cases, meltdowns or shutdowns. Sensory overload can be triggered by excessive visual complexity, noise, crowds, bright or flickering lights, strong smells, or combinations of multiple sensory inputs. It is commonly experienced by autistic people, people with cerebral visual impairment, ADHD, PTSD, and other neurological conditions. In accessibility and design, minimising sensory overload involves reducing visual clutter, providing options for noise reduction, avoiding flashing or moving content, offering calming modes or sensory breaks, and allowing users to control the amount and type of sensory input they receive.