Signs of sensory overwhelm (that aren't loud or dramatic)

 When people think of sensory overwhelm, they often picture kids having meltdowns in busy shopping centres or noisy classrooms. 

 And while busy and noisy environments can certainly trigger sensory overwhelm, gentle reminder, it’s not always loud, dramatic, or obvious—and it doesn’t just happen to kids. Many autistic and ADHD adults experience sensory challenges every single day and sometimes the signs can be subtle.

If you’ve ever wondered why you feel on edge, exhausted, or like you’re “overreacting,” it might actually be your sensory system trying to tell you something.

Here are some ways that sensory overwhelm might be showing up in your day to day life:

📵Avoiding communication. 

Ignoring phone calls, emails, or texts—even from people you like—because your brain simply can’t take one more input.

🛏️ Bedtime collapse. 

Making it make it through the day, only to crash into numb scrolling at night because you’re too wired to rest.

👕Clothing battles. 

Changing outfits multiple times or a lingering sense that nothing feels right on your skin.

🚪 Room rejection. 

Walking into a room and instantly needing to leave because the noise, light, or smell feels unbearable.

🥴 Critical self-talk. 

Catching yourself thinking, “I should be able to cope with this,” while your body feels tense, buzzy, or ready to shut down.

Sensory overwhelm isn’t a sign that you’re weak, dramatic, or failing as a parent. It’s a nervous system response.

When our brains process sensory information differently, many everyday tasks, activities, environments and interactions can be more demanding.

Recognising these signs is the first step toward supporting yourself with the care you deserve—rather than pushing through and blaming yourself.

If you’re nodding along to these examples, you’re not alone.

I’m running a free mini session for autistic, ADHD and otherwise neurodivergent parents:

✨ “Navigating sensory overwhelm” ✨

In this session, I’ll share:

• How the sensory experience influences how we feel and function.
• Common challenges that can fuel sensory overwhelm for autistic and ADHD parents and families.
• Tips for relief from sensory overwhelm so that you can your family can navigate your day with more ease.

💌 You can find more information and register here:

Come join us and find out how to support your sensory system, and feel more at ease in daily life.