Sensory Gating/SEN-sor-ee GAY-ting/
The brain’s ability to filter out unimportant sensory information; reduced gating can amplify overload.
Andy says:
Like a bouncer for your senses—when short‑staffed, the crowd gets in.
Detailed Explanation
Gating filters repeated or irrelevant inputs so attention can focus. Differences in gating can make everyday environments feel louder, brighter, or more crowded. Supports change the environment and give the brain clearer signals.
Community Context
Discussed in autism/ADHD communities as a contributor to overload and fatigue. Practical strategies matter more than lab terms.
Quick Tips
- Reduce background noise and visual clutter
- Use textures/weights that make body signals clearer
- Prefer predictable lighting and steady soundscapes
Do / Don't
- Do: offer quiet spaces, dimmer lights, captions
- Don't: assume “getting used to it” solves overload
Scientific Context
Studies show altered gating (e.g., P50) in some ND groups; relevance is in guiding environmental adjustments.
Language Notes
Related: sensory modulation, overload, interoception.
Related Terms
Sensory Processing Disorder
A condition in which the brain has trouble receiving and responding to information that comes in through the senses.
Sensory Overload
When sensory input (sound, light, touch, smell, movement) exceeds the brain’s capacity to process it comfortably, leading to distress and reduced functioning.
Interoception
The sense of internal body signals (hunger, heartbeat, temperature, tension) that inform emotions and regulation.
Accommodations
Changes to the environment, tools, timing, or expectations that remove barriers so a person can participate on an equal basis.
Sources
Help Improve This Term
NDlexicon is community-driven. Your contributions help make definitions more accurate and accessible.