Sensory differences in autism
Sensory differences are part of autism for most people. In a study using detailed clinical interviews, more than 90% of autistic children had sensory differences, usually across several senses, and a second study found they persist across ages and ability levels into adulthood.1 Being unusually sensitive, or unusually unresponsive, to sensory input is part of the diagnostic criteria for autism.
Light and flicker
Many autistic people describe bright artificial light, glare and flicker, especially from fluorescent and some LED lights, as distracting or painful. Research on lighting specifically is still limited, and much of the design guidance comes from what autistic people report.
Screens can flicker in ways you can’t see: PWM dimming pulses the backlight, and FRC dithering flickers pixels between shades. The retina responds to flicker well above the rate people can consciously perceive.2
What makes a screen more sensory-friendly?
- Steady light. No PWM; DC dimming keeps brightness steady at every setting.
- Steady pixels. A true 8-bit panel without FRC dithering.
- Warm, soft light. No harsh blue-white glare or bare bulbs.
- Easy dimming. Turn it down without adding flicker.