Many individuals who live with autism experience sensory overload. This is where the brain receives a high level of sensory input and it struggles to process this. This overload can be from noise, bright lights, strong smells or a large crowds.
Hoods Up, Volume Down is on Wednesday the 29th of April at 10am. There are a number of ways individuals and organisations can partake. You can wear a hoodie with the hood up, you can share this on Facebook, Instagram etc with the tag #hoodsup2026 to show your support. Many individuals who experience sensory overload wear their hoodie like this as it reduces the amount of stimulation.
From 10am organisations and workplaces are encouraged to also partake by having a quiet hour from 10-11am by creating a low sensory environment which not only includes lighting and noise but clutter. Other accommodations can include fixed sitting, allowing fidgets in the workplace as well as ear buds. Having worked in an open plan office I found many times the constant noise and chatter overwhelming and I could not focus on my work. The ability to wear ear buds like loops can be an easy accommodation.
Personally, for me I struggle with crowds, loud noises and bright lights. Even before being diagnosed with AuDHD I found some ways of dealing with over stimulation including indirect lighting in my room. I now have a wi-fi enabled bulb in my lounge which allows me to control the brightness or change the colour to red. I have found my ability to manage overstimulation can vary depending on how busy I am, am I run down among other factors. Sometimes I can sudden sounds and other times I will jump out of my skin, in the office I often can manage the background noise of the office chatter but other times it is overwhelming. I can manage crowds in small doses but sometimes need to step away and regroup. Each person is different.
I hope you can partake in Hoods up Volume down. SAS have again developed a range of tops and hoodies for Autism Acceptance Day with some of the funds going to Autism New Zealand. Unfortunately, due to other commitments I have not posted this in time for you to do an order and receive your hoodie in time for Hoods Up but I hope you will still support the cause.
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