3Spoonies On Sensory Engagement and Overwhelm Episode Number: 61 Date: 6th August 2026 Why do some environments feel instantly overwhelming? Why can noise, clutter, lighting or even a switched-on plug socket feel exhausting for neurodivergent people? And why do shutdowns and meltdowns happen? In this episode of 3Spoonies, we’re joined by Dr Joanna Grace to explore the science behind sensory engagement, sensory overload and neurodivergent processing. We discuss: sensory overload and autistic shutdowns hidden sensory processing differences visual clutter and hyper-visual processing why some environments feel “safe” interoception and recognising emotions why mindfulness and CBT don’t work for everyone neurodivergent anxiety and burnout sensory processing in autism and ADHD fight, flight, freeze and overwhelm creating sensory-friendly environments This episode is packed with practical insight, lived experience and fascinating science around how neurodivergent people experience the world differently. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by noise, light, crowds, clutter or simply “too much input”, this conversation will probably feel very familiar. Let us know your experiences with sensory overwhelm in the comments Subscribe for weekly conversations around disability, neurodivergence, chronic illness and business Feel free to come and join us on any of our socials Website - www.3spoonies.co.uk Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/3Spoonies Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/3spooniespodcast/ Blue Sky - https://bsky.app/profile/3spoonies.bsky.social LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/3spoonies Newsletter Sign Up - Get the weekly episode straight to your inbox: https://subscribepage.io/Spoonieletter If you’d like to find out more about our hosts; Jo O’Neil Website: https://bright-cat.co.uk/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanne-oneil/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrightCatBusiness Claire Napper LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-napper Website: www.strangelittleobsessions.co.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/Strangelittleobsessions Karen Duncan Website: http://www.ponyponypony.co.uk LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/PonyPonyPony Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PonyPonyPonyCourses Guest Info Joanna Grace Dr Jo Grace is an International Sensory Engagement and Inclusion Specialist, Research, Author, Trainer and Founder of The Sensory Projects. Special school teacher, foster carer, consultant across education, and family: disabled family members, she is autistic, parent one autistic and one non autistic child. www.TheSensoryProjects.co.uk/contact https://www.youtube.com/@TheSensoryProjects Sponsors A HUGE thank to our Main Sponsor for this Season: Maddy Alexander-Grout Maddy Alexander-Grout is a visibility strategist, ADHD coach, and advocate for people with hidden disabilities. She’s the founder of Mad About Money, an inclusive platform that provides practical financial advice for neurodivergent individuals, and also runs Invisible to Influential, a brand that helps entrepreneurs turn their vulnerabilities into visibility. Links: https://stan.store/maddyalexandergrout Buy the Book, Mad about Money: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1394299729?ref=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cso_cp_apin_dp_4XCQ1VWRX9J2NXHW860J&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cso_cp_apin_dp_4XCQ1VWRX9J2NXHW860J&social_share=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cso_cp_apin_dp_4XCQ1VWRX9J2NXHW860J&bestFormat=true And to our Feature Sponsor! Liz Drury As a multi award winning professional voice over artist, working from a broadcast quality home studio since 2013, I’m a safe voice for your project. As the saying goes, first impressions last, and your business needs to sound as good as it looks. Let me help you with that! https://lizdrury.com/ Their support allows us to keep showing up every week, having these conversations, and making the podcast what it is — so if you can, please do go and check them out and support them in return. Would you like to buy us a coffee? Check our Ko-Fi at Ko-fi.com/3spoonies
