Explore sensory overload detection with biosensing wearables

It is estimated that more than 10 million people are neurodivergent in the UK. Sensory overload, i.e., when their senses experience overstimulation from the environment, is common in many neurodivergent children; however, over a third of our population lack awareness of it leading to various misconceptions, social isolations, and unequal treatment of neurodivergent children. Sensory overload is easily found in children with autism or ADHD, but it is not limited to these two groups as it can happen to anyone, and it can be linked to anxiety or traumatic experiences. The experience is unique to each individual, but it can be generated by environmental elements such as crowded and loud places, or it can also be generated by strong scents or lights. Sensory overloads trigger a physiological response and often generate social anxiety. It can be a contributing factor that prevents neurodivergent children and young people from fully participating in education, social life and employment. The school-dropping rate of neurodivergent young people is high, and we know that only 22% of people with autism are in employment.

In this project, we aim to explore how a biosensing wearable system could potentially support children to manage their sensory overload and take action before the response to the environmental situation is out of control for the individual. The wearable prototype can be connected to a mobile application on a phone or a smartwatch and notify a parent or even a teacher that sensory overload is occurring. We will conduct a study to (1) understand from parents of children experiencing sensory overload what is needed for a wearable system to be useful in preventing social isolation and exclusion and (2) develop a preliminary prototype and algorithm based on our available biosensing systems and biosignal datasets to fulfil that needs.