Sensory Overload is one of my greatest autism related struggles. While I’ve learned to manage multiple environments, I’ve discovered over the years there are certain places that withdraw enormous amounts of energy from my sensory bank.
In most cases I am able to manage these environments for a short period of time, usually 2-3 hours, but the effects can often leave me incapacitated for a day or two.
Below is my top 10 places/environments that have the potential to push me into sensory overload.
- Outdoor concerts
-
Amusement parks
-
Outdoor sporting events
-
Bowling alleys/arcades
-
Indoor water parks
-
Airports
-
Indoor sporting events
-
Church
-
Conferences (with lots of people)
-
Indoor music concerts
The common theme for many of these environments are sudden changes in sound volume, intensity, and pitch. Screaming, clapping, and certain musical instruments can be overwhelming. In addition a combination of smells and lighting issues can also be challenging.
That’s my list. What yours?
Any concerts are usually too loud for me. I used to have a friend who loved to go to those community park concerts and she’d insist that we stand in the front row, right under the stage. It would nearly blow my ears off! Then she would get angry that I didn’t dance and appear to be having fun. Now I wear headphones if I go to a concert, so I can hear the music without getting nauseous or dizzy!