Sensory Overload Questions

Post Reply New Topic

1) Does everyone on the autism spectrum experience sensory overload?

2) Does emotional overload, or "emotional over processing" count as sensory overload? Or are they different?

3) Is sensory over processing and sensory overload the same thing?

Just trying to work out these few technicalities in my mind, thanks!

Hi, i'm not sure how qualified I am to answer these questions, but I can try...

1) Sensory overload does not have to occur for a diagnosis of ASD to be made, so, in theory, there may well be individuals on the spectrum who don't experience sensory overload (I think).

2) To me, emotional overload is not the same as sensory overload, as emotional overload concerns the emotions, whereas sensory overload concerns touch, taste, smell, sight and sound, though other people might have different opinions to me, i'm not sure. Also, what do you mean by 'emotional over processing'?

3) I don't really know what 'sensory over processing' is either, though I know what Sensory Processing Disorder is, it would be good if you could explain, because i'd be interested to know.

Um, hope I helped...

Now that I think about it, I really thought that I'd heard the term a bunch of times, but now I'm wondering if maybe I just made it up! lol Or maybe someone else made this term up and used it and it stuck in my head. I don't know.

Maybe someone else would know....is "sensory over processing" a 'thing'? Or is it just a funny non-term that's floating around in my head (and only my head)?

1) I don't think so right now, but IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY (it's quite possible that I don't....) they are adding that as a sign in the DSM 5. I think even now it is very rare to find someone on the spectrum with no sensory issues at all.

2) No, they are not the same. Sensory processing issues stem from the 5 senses. Emotions is not one of the 5 senses, so it would be considered something else or in its own category.

3) Not sure. I've never heard of "sensory over processing" before.