Activities for Sensory Overload Simulation

Sensory overload problems cause one or more of the senses to become confused or stressed, making it difficult to concentrate on simple tasks. Sensory overload is often related to Autism Spectrum Disorders and Asperger's Syndrome. The overwhelming symptoms of sensory overload may cause tantrums and meltdowns that are difficult for others to understand. Use simulations to teach others what happens during sensory overload and help them relate to the disabled individual.

Reading Comprehension

• People with sensory overload issues have difficulty concentrating on reading comprehension. Surround the subject with auditory distractions such as several people having a loud conversation, a stereo at high volume and the rumble of a vacuum cleaner. Read a few paragraphs from a story while other people poke and pat the subject, shout out random numbers and read passages from an unrelated book. Stop the simulation when the story is over and ask the subject questions about the story.

Mirror Drawing

• Draw several geometrical shapes on a sheet of paper. Hold the paper up to a mirror so that the simulation subject can only view the reflection of the image. Turn on loud music, point a flashlight at the mirror and turn the light on and off repeatedly. Ask the subject to copy the drawing exactly. This activity shows how people with sensory overload disorders have difficulty performing tasks that seem simple to those without these issues.

Tactile Simulation

• People with sensory problems also suffer from tactile confusion. Mix several small paper clips and safety pins into a bowl filled with rice. Turn the lights off and on, produce noisy background sounds and ask the simulation subject to separate the paperclips and safety pins from the rice.

Concentration Activities

• Cover a desk with a colorful tablecloth and seat the subject on a chair that is off balance. Place a pair of rubber gloves, backward, on the subject's hands. Turn on a bright desk lamp. Crowd the subject with other people so she can't move. Flick the light off and back on intermittently and provide loud noises such as blaring, repetitive music, a desk fan, a ringing telephone and loud conversation. Ask the subject to build a tower with blocks, draw a picture, write a simple story or complete math equations.

Video Simulations

• Create a video to simulate how a person with sensory issues views the world. Turn on plenty of background noise and move the camera up, down, left, right and diagonally in quick, jerky movements. Spin in circles occasionally, pointing the camera toward the ceiling at first, moving down toward the floor, and back toward the ceiling. Advise the simulation subjects that people prone to seizures shouldn't view the video.