Quiet the Overload: Managing Sensory Chaos

Sensory overload occurs when one or more of the body’s senses are overstimulated by the environment, making it hard to focus on class or study. Sensory overload is a common occurrence for students navigating academic environments, where constant noise, crowded spaces, and heavy workloads can become overwhelming. Sensory stimuli, such as light and sound are environmental factors that deliver responses from internal factors, changing how the brain interprets and processes information. This impacts a student’s ability to learn, focus, and participate in academic and social activities. Developing tailored accommodations through individualized support plans is crucial to help students manage sensory overload in academic settings. Accommodations are modifications or adjustments to the environment, curriculum format, or equipment that students use to complete tasks. These accommodations vary for each student and reducing distractions from external stimuli in classroom settings help create a sensory-friendly environment. By implementing these strategies, students and universities can foster a more inclusive and supportive environment. 

Examples of sensory stimuli accommodations include the use of noise-cancelling headphones, fidget tools, journaling, visual supports, and accommodations through faculty collaboration. These tools can help facilitate an accessible environment. Accommodating student needs enhances attention and provides comfort, resulting in a more accessible environment. 

Advocating for sensory awareness is essential when accommodating sensory needs and developing coping strategies. Implementing a crisis plan that includes deep breathing and building a support network with peers, faculty, and staff who understand one’s needs can assist when feeling overwhelmed. Coordinated Accommodations with professors play a key role in helping students feel safe inside classrooms, ensuring an accessible environment. These techniques not only support an accessible environment but also empower students to manage sensory overload effectively, fostering academic success. 

Students at California State University, Long Beach, and other universities often face overwhelming challenges in their academic environments. The constant noise, crowded spaces, and heavy workloads can contribute to sensory overload, making it difficult for students to focus and succeed. This issue is challenging for students with disabilities, who may find these environmental factors overwhelming. Addressing sensory overload through effective strategies and accommodations is crucial for creating a supportive and inclusive atmosphere. 

Kayce Armenteros utilizes initial plans and accommodations for classes and beyond the classroom.

“If I’m getting overstimulated, teaching yourself how to communicate that in those moments of heightened emotions is very hard. Before class, I use breathing techniques[,] take breaks, and walk around. And saying positive affirmations and using quiet rooms to destress before class helps. Overstimulation is a common thing and having friends to communicate with helps me. Having a crisis plan is essential even though students do not have everything in their plan.” Armenteros said.

The Bob Murphy Access Center (BMAC) at California State University, Long Beach, provides a range of accommodations to support students in their academic pursuits. These accommodations include services such as tutoring referrals, testing, loaner laptops, study rooms, hard of hearing services, mobility services, and mental health resources, to name a few. By fostering an inclusive and supportive atmosphere, BMAC aims to ensure that students have the tools they need to succeed. 

Jessica King relies on a real-time transcription tool to process information and understand class material. 

“My journey involves significant efforts to promote [an] inclusive campus and advocate for classroom accommodations. Using tools like noise-cancelling headphones and transitional lenses, navigate the challenges of building relationships with professors and creating a supportive learning environment. The difficulties in advocating for others and managing my symptoms, remains to foster an accessible and inclusive educational environment. [sic]”

These accommodations help address the diverse needs of students with disabilities, enabling them to participate in academic and campus life. Through personalized support and resources, BMAC helps students overcome barriers and achieve their educational goals. Students receive accommodations to address sensory overload in classroom settings and environments. By fostering an inclusive environment, BMAC ensures that students' goals to thrive academically and socially. 

Vincent Marcel shares his experience with accommodations:

“One of my accommodations is during class, I notice like I’m getting a little stressed or overwhelmed, I’ll just step outside, like, go stretch and clear my head and then I’ll go over the game. It’ll be a lot easier to get through class. A big thing is knowing how to communicate your needs with your professor isn’t like extra work for them like it’s part of their job description. I think sometimes like, multiple people talking isn’t great for me, I try to if I get overwhelmed by either like professors’ lectures or group projects, I like to sit by the door so it’s easier for me to take a break. I feel like I just come to school without worrying like clothes accessories that are super noticeable on my skin because sometimes I have physical sensory issues [sic]” Marcel said.

Sensory Overload in Classrooms: The role of Universal Design

According to Universal Design in Secondary and Postsecondary Education by educational researcher Christine Breme, the strategies to implement a universal design for students are influenced by environmental factors in classrooms, campus settings, and internal factors. Higher education institutions combine features such as managing sensory overload, ecological factors, and adjusting instructional class sizes. Universal Design, an educational framework, aims to create learning environments that are accessible to students, regardless of their abilities or disabilities. This model addresses needs in classrooms, campus settings, and instructional methods to accommodate diverse needs. Universal Design focuses on providing multiple means of representation, engagement, and expression, ensuring that students can access and participate in educational activities. By integrating Universal Design principles, students and universities can manage sensory overload and create a welcoming climate to support an equitable learning environment. Universal Design aims to create a welcoming climate and determine essential course components, providing an equitable learning environment. Encouraging faculty-student contact is also a key principle, as it impacts student retention. The strategies to implement Universal Design in classroom settings include providing flexible seating arrangements to minimize sensory overload, adjusting lighting, and reducing noise levels. Strategies to create sensory-friendly campus settings include designing quiet zones, sensory-friendly study areas, and accessible pathways to support students. 

Frank Watts uses accommodations for classes and beyond the classroom.

“I find music is great for processing emotions and anxiety. I enjoy playing with my hair, twirling my hair to stimulate before class to ground myself. I like to research to learn how to advocate for accommodations. Having my own time away from campus to recharge helps me to ground myself.”

Managing sensory chaos through accommodations and the principles of Universal Design is essential for fostering an inclusive educational environment. By prioritizing both environmental and internal factors, universities can help build inclusivity where every student is supported and empowered. Inclusivity is a commitment to designing environments that power diversity – not silence it.