More Than a Feeling: Making 'Scents' of ADHD’s Sensory Sensitivities

Do you ever find yourself entranced by the scent of fresh-baked cookies a little more than most? Or maybe you're someone who feels on edge because of certain textures or loud noises? If so, you will want to tune into this eye-opening episode of "Love, ADHD" with your hosts, Julie Lee and Tony Overbay. In this episode, they dive deep into the world of sensory sensitivities, an often overlooked aspect of ADHD that can seriously impact daily life. Julie, a former second-grade teacher, talks about her experiences in the classroom and as someone who suspected she had ADHD. She highlights how the constant sensory stimulation can be overwhelming for children with ADHD, making it difficult for them to concentrate. Julie shares her recent experience back in the classroom as a substitute teacher and how her new understanding of ADHD helped her identify and see a particular student more for who he is rather than the “problem child” that he may be typically experienced as. Julie talks about how medication has helped her manage these sensitivities, but they're far from eliminated.

The episode goes beyond the classroom, exploring the interconnected challenges of hyperactivity, focus issues, and sensory sensitivity that kids with ADHD face. Tony discusses how the quest for external validation can affect a child's self-image and raises the question of the relationship between ADHD and sensory overload in the ever-developing conversation of whether or not ADHD should be included on the Autism spectrum. In a personal anecdote, Julie shares her own sensory quirks, like feeling overwhelmed by an array of scents or her strong preference for loud music and a good cologne. Tony and Julie agree that understanding and managing sensory sensitivities are crucial for children and adults with ADHD. They wrap up by encouraging listeners to embrace their unique sensory experiences and strengths, believing that self-acceptance can lead to great accomplishments in life. Don't miss out on this enlightening discussion!