What is sensory load, and why does it build up across a day?

The short answer

Sensory load is the amount of sound, light, touch, smell, movement and body information a child is processing in a situation or across a day. Its effect depends on intensity, predictability, control, other demands and available recovery. A child may manage each event separately but lose access when several occur without enough pause. Map the whole sequence rather than blaming the final request. Include travel, clothing, hunger, social effort, transitions and uncertainty alongside sensory input. Compare easier days, reduce one avoidable source earlier, create a usable exit and protect recovery before the next demand. Do not claim that distress at home proves the child masked or felt safest there. Ask for their account and seek wider help when overload is frequent, severe or substantially restricts daily life.

• Load reflects combined input, demands, control and recovery rather than a fixed daily capacity score.
• The final small event may release pressure built through several earlier situations.
• Sensory, social, cognitive, physical and emotional demands may accumulate together.
• Change the sequence earlier and measure participation, distress and recovery.
• Different behaviour at home and school does not prove one explanation such as masking.