Many autistic people and some people with ADHD perceive sounds, light, smells or touch more intensely. A busy supermarket or an open-plan office can then quickly become too much. If you know your early warning signs, you can act in time.
Common early warning signs
- Irritability or impatience for no obvious reason
- Speech is harder to take in, answering becomes more difficult
- A strong urge to leave the room
- Physical signs such as tension, headache or exhaustion
What helps
Schedule breaks in advance instead of waiting for an emergency. Noise-cancelling headphones, sunglasses or a quiet place for ten minutes can make a big difference. Agree a simple signal for “I need a break” with family, school or your employer.
With the energy and sensory log in Yuva Coach, after a few weeks you will see which situations drain your energy and which breaks work best.