Great video about sensory overload

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Trigger warning: this gives you insight into what a child with noise sensory issues is going through, but turn the volume waaay down if you are sensitive to noise yourself (you won't get the real experience unless it's at normal volume, though.)

http://vimeo.com/52193530

That's a pretty good video. It illustrates how the sounds are both individual, while at the same time joining together to create an unbearable and overwhelming din.

I have a question. So far, my boy seems to tolerate noises pretty well (he makes loud verbal stims to accompany his visual stims), and I have been told by his OT that he is a sensory seeker. He needs lots of proprioceptive and vestibular inputs through out the day to get him to focus for a few seconds on non-preferred activities. (Or so, I have bee told).

So, would he still be affected by sensory overload ? I am concerned because his attention span ZERO for non-preferred activities, although he can stim for hours on end.

I am pretty noise sensitive myself and had to take a break mid-way through this video. IF my son does have overload issues, then he goes through this every minute of every day. NO WONDER he zones out and has such a poor attention span. But then again, he is supposedly a sensory seeker ... ARGH ! !! I am lost.

Guess in a nutshell my question is - can sensory seekers also be affected by sensory overload ? If yes, what can we do to help these kids ? Thanks in advance for any advise any of you can give me.

I'm not sure what you mean by "sensory seeker;" I think everyone seeks sensory input, it's just a difference in the amount and nature of the input.
I suffer from Sensory Perception Disorder, but that doesn't mean that there aren't some things that I enjoy . . . birds chirping, classical music, rain falling . . . I love those things.

I think it's possible to be a sensory seeker in some areas and sensory avoidant in others; DS is highly sensitive to unexpected noises (although he sometimes prefers incredibly loud music) and highly sensitive to smells and sometimes light levels - but he's a crash-er, squashy hugger, likes to be wrapped up "like a burrito" etc. which I suppose makes him both.

I guess the best answer is to make a functional behavioral assessment: whenever you're seeing behavior (or lack of response) that concerns you, make a note of what's going on at the time. The video gives a really good idea about what kinds of noises to look out for.

To me, that's a fantastically accurate portrayal of sensory overload (for noise atleast). D'you know whether any autistic people were involved in the making of the video? Thanks so much for sharing it.

I have no idea, I came across it on Lynne Soraya's FB page - but I agree!

And then remember that it's not just for 2 minutes and 16 seconds that they have to put up with this, but MOST OF THE WAKING DAY. SIX OR SEVEN DAYS A WEEK. YEAR-ROUND.

I can easily handle 2 minutes and 16 seconds of this at normal volume, but would probably start to panic if I had to for, say, 2 hours and 16 minutes instead. Oftentimes autistic kids are asked to put up with this for even longer than that!! !

Got it.

Now that I think about it, he HATES me participating in his ABA sessions and it drives him crazy if his therapist & I talk.

I would like some information on one of his behaviors. Starting at age 4 months, he would push the bottom of his jaw on top of my head / forehead, and press down hard multiple times. As an infant and a toddler, this did not hurt me much. But he is getting bigger now and his pushing down with his jaw on my head / forehead is beginning to hurt. Do you know why he does this or what he gets by doing this ? If you could help me figure this out, I could find alternative ways of getting this sensory need satisfied, so I can spare myself a lot of pain ! !

Any ideas ?

His mom, sounds like he is seeking that deep pressure in the jaw. does he chew things? A good alternative for pressing on your head (ouch!) could be a chewy toy. If you google "chewy tubes", "chewelry", "oral motor" toys, tools or stimulation... they should give you somethings to try. Also sucking thick drinks through a straw can give that stimulation.
Also re; hyposensitive and overloading. My son experiences both. He is like an addict sometimes, he craves input like it's a drug... louder, brighter, but he can become overwhelmed too and needs to be in a dim, quiet room if he is feeling stressed. When he is happy, he enjoys bright lights, loud and piercing sounds but when he is already stressed those things don't calm him ie. They help keep him happy, if he is already feeling good. The things that keep him happy and also can make him feel better if stressed is pressure (tight hugs, chewing) and movement (hammock, swing, gym ball, trampoline). So what can you do to help kids like that? I think, get to know your son's sensory profile. Find out all the things he loves, things that calm, things that excite, things that help him focus, etc... etc... then provide those things as needed.

What I did to redirect the chin thing (aside from using it as a weapon against my brothers) was I started pressing it into the palms of my own hands or a pillow or stuffed animal instead. I still do it.

I think that was very accurate!

I have AS and for me, sensory overload can be a lot like that, but thankfully it's not constant. Sounds seem to be amplified in different intensities depending on how "sensory sensitive" I'm feeling that day, or if I'm emotionally overwhelmed. Those things can be affected by diet, changes in routine, the general attitude of those around me, the weather, etc.