Sensory sensitivity refers to heightened or reduced responses to sensory input, such as sounds, lights, textures, smells, or other environmental stimuli. People with sensory sensitivity may find certain everyday experiences overwhelming, distracting, or even painful. For others, these stimuli may feel muted or require more intensity to notice.

Why Does It Happen in ADHD?

1. Neurological Basis: ADHD brains often process sensory information differently, which can lead to heightened awareness or overstimulation. This may stem from the brain's difficulty in regulating attention and filtering out irrelevant sensory input.
   

2. Overlap with Other Conditions: Sensory sensitivity is most commonly associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) but is also frequently reported by individuals with ADHD. The overlap is likely due to shared features in how the brain processes sensory information in neurodivergent conditions.
   

The following are some common ADHD-related issues that may coincide with sensory overload:

• difficulty self-regulating actions or emotions

• impulsiveness

• hyperactivity or hyper-focus

• excessively intense response or lack of reactivity to various stimuli

• inability to concentrate or inattentiveness

• a lack of awareness of one's surroundings