Sensory processing

Meta-analysis including 883 adults with ADHD and 916 control participants across 27 studies. Adults with ADHD showed slower stop-signal response times with a moderate effect size. The findings support inhibitory-control difficulty as a group-level feature, but the authors note that no single neuropsychological test is established as a diagnostic test for adult ADHD.

Detailed practical guidance covering sensory triggers, recognising overload, reducing or removing triggers, creating safe spaces, preparing for difficult environments and using sensory tools. It also explains that sensory needs vary considerably between individuals.

NICE clinical guideline for adults aged 18 and over with suspected or confirmed autism. It covers identification and comprehensive assessment, interventions, coexisting mental health conditions, behaviour that challenges, support for families and carers, and how services should be organised. It also recognises sensory sensitivities, difficulties with flexibility and emotional regulation as common features that may need to be considered in assessment and support.

Public-facing NICE guidance for adults with suspected or confirmed autism. It explains that adults who may be autistic should be offered an assessment, describes what should happen during the assessment and says people should be asked how they would like results explained. After diagnosis, professionals should discuss what the diagnosis means, future care and support, communication needs and sensory sensitivities. The guidance also notes that people can ask for an advocate to help communicate their views.

Practical guidance focused on recognising early signs of sensory overload, stopping or reducing triggering activity, moving to quieter spaces and creating a more sensorily manageable environment. It is autism-focused guidance and should be treated as practical support rather than evidence that any single strategy will work for everyone.