If your child has ADHD and seems to melt down in crowded places, gets upset at certain sounds, or refuses to wear certain clothes, you’re not alone. Many parents notice these patterns and wonder if something more is going on. The answer is often yes—and the link between ADHD and sensory overload is real.
At Tumble N’ Dots, we see this often in children we support through occupational therapy. Understanding how sensory processing affects kids with ADHD can make everyday life less stressful for you and your child. Let’s break it down together.
What Is Sensory Overload?
Imagine you’re in a room with a blaring TV, flickering lights, strong perfume, and multiple people talking at once. Now imagine your brain can’t filter out any of it. You feel overwhelmed, anxious, maybe even panicked. That’s what sensory overload can feel like—except children with ADHD often live with this feeling daily.
Sensory overload happens when the brain struggles to manage the input it receives from the senses—like sound, touch, smell, movement, or visual stimuli. When the brain doesn’t know which input to tune out and which to focus on, it can trigger a fight, flight, or freeze response.
The ADHD and Sensory Connection
ADHD is best known for symptoms like inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. But many kids with ADHD also have difficulties with sensory integration. This means their nervous system may overreact or underreact to what they see, hear, smell, touch, or taste.
Here’s how that might show up:
- Noise sensitivity: Your child covers their ears in the cafeteria or screams during vacuuming.
- Clothing battles: Tags, seams, or certain fabrics feel “wrong” and cause tantrums.
- Food preferences: Only eating crunchy or soft foods, refusing anything with mixed textures.
- Constant movement: Crashing into things, jumping, or spinning to feel “just right.”
- Overreaction to touch: A simple pat on the back feels like too much.
All of these behaviors point to a sensory system that’s either seeking more input or trying to avoid too much of it.
What Parents Often See (And Why It’s Not Just Behavior)
It’s easy to mistake sensory reactions as “bad behavior,” especially when they show up as tantrums, defiance, or clinginess. But when your child refuses to walk into a birthday party or screams when their hands get messy, it’s not about being difficult. Their nervous system is genuinely overwhelmed.
This can affect:
- School: Noisy classrooms and unpredictable transitions make it harder to focus.
- Social play: Crowds and loud kids can lead to meltdowns or withdrawal.
- Home routines: Toothbrushing, getting dressed, or mealtime becomes a daily struggle.
Recognizing these challenges as sensory-based shifts your response from punishment to support.
How Pediatric Occupational Therapy Helps
At Tumble N’ Dots, our occupational therapists are trained to support children with both ADHD and sensory processing challenges. We use sensory integration strategies to help the brain better interpret and respond to sensory input.
Here’s what that might include:
- Sensory diet: A customized set of activities to help your child regulate their sensory system throughout the day. Think swinging, deep pressure hugs, or jumping on a trampoline.
- Environmental modifications: Tips to reduce overwhelm, like noise-canceling headphones, visual schedules, or calming corners.
- Therapy through play: Engaging the child in structured play to improve tolerance for different textures, movements, and sounds in a safe environment.
- Parent coaching: Helping you understand your child’s sensory profile and how to respond with calm and connection rather than conflict.
This work is not about “fixing” your child. It’s about equipping them—and you—with tools to navigate the world more comfortably.
Real-World Tips for Daily Life
Here are a few small changes that can make a big difference:
- Give choices: Offer clothing options with different textures or seams your child finds comfortable.
- Build in breaks: Plan downtime before and after busy activities like school or social events.
- Create a calm zone: A tent, weighted blanket, or beanbag chair can become a retreat when things feel too intense.
- Use visual timers or checklists: These help ease transitions and reduce surprises.
Every child is different, so what works for one may not work for another. But you don’t have to figure it out alone.
You’re Not Overreacting. Your Child Isn’t Either.
When your child has ADHD and struggles with sensory overload, life can feel unpredictable and exhausting—for both of you. But with the right support, things get easier.
At Tumble N’ Dots, we specialize in helping neurodivergent kids find their rhythm. Our team offers child-led, play-based occupational therapy rooted in compassion and connection. We see the whole child and work closely with families every step of the way.
If you’re in Irvine or nearby and wondering whether your child might benefit from occupational therapy, we’re here to help.