Suggested Activity: Sensory Overload Experience As indicated in this lesson, people with ASD experience differences in their sensory perception of the world around them.Many become easily “Overstimulated” which creates differences in their learning and behavior.This activity is designed to help you understand “Sensory Overload.” Do the following steps: Take a small paper bag (lunch bag size), fill it with 3 cups of plain, uncooked white rice Drop 3 - 5 small metal paper clips into the bag of rice.Shake up the bag so that the paper clips are mixed in with the rice.Set a timer for 30 seconds.With your eyes closed, reach in with your hand and try to pick out as many paper clips as you can find within the 30 seconds.Reflection: If you found it very difficult to “feel” the paperclips, you are not alone.Your tactile receptors in your fingertips were overloaded with input from the rice, which took away your ability to “Feel” the differences between the paperclips and the rice.This is similar to what people with Autism experience when they are in a highly stimulating environment or when one of their sensitive sensory systems is being bombarded with too much input.Did you develop a strategy for “Filtering out” some of the input, such as scooping a handful of rice into your hand and slowly shaking away some of it?If so, this is similar to what many people with Autism do when they are feeling overloaded or when they feel they may become overloaded.They attempt to block or filter some on the incoming sensory input.Some examples of this include covering their ears, closing their eyes or covering their face with a hood, etc.Any behavior that helps them to escape or avoid the sensory aspects of the environment may be an attempt to “Filter.”
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Suggested Activity: Sensory Overload Experience As indicated in this lesson, people with ASD experience differences in their sensory perception of the world around them.Many become easily “Overstimulated” which creates differences in their learning and behavior.This activity is designed to help you understand “Sensory Overload.” Do the following steps: Take a small paper bag (lunch bag size), fill it with 3 cups of plain, uncooked white rice Drop 3 - 5 small metal paper clips into the bag of rice.Shake up the bag so that the paper clips are mixed in with the rice.Set a timer for 30 seconds.With your eyes closed, reach in with your hand and try to pick out as many paper clips as you can find within the 30 seconds.Reflection: If you found it very difficult to “feel” the paperclips, you are not alone.Your tactile receptors in your fingertips were overloaded with input from the rice, which took away your ability to “Feel” the differences between the paperclips and the rice.This is similar to what people with Autism experience when they are in a highly stimulating environment or when one of their sensitive sensory systems is being bombarded with too much input.Did you develop a strategy for “Filtering out” some of the input, such as scooping a handful of rice into your hand and slowly shaking away some of it?If so, this is similar to what many people with Autism do when they are feeling overloaded or when they feel they may become overloaded.They attempt to block or filter some on the incoming sensory input.Some examples of this include covering their ears, closing their eyes or covering their face with a hood, etc.Any behavior that helps them to escape or avoid the sensory aspects of the environment may be an attempt to “Filter.”
