Sometimes the world really can feel too loud, too bright and too much.
According to the CSO Irish Health Survey 2025, almost 1 in 3 children aged 3–8 in Ireland experience some level of difficulty with sensory overload.
Noise, bright lights, smells, textures or crowded spaces can become overwhelming, even when they barely register to someone else.
Changing the environment, not the person
Sometimes inclusion doesn’t mean asking the person to adapt. It means changing the environment:
- Less noise
- A quieter space
- More time
- A little understanding
Small changes can make a big difference.
Source: CSO Irish Health Survey 2025 – Children’s Health.
