Autism and Light Sensitivity: Creating a More Inclusive Environment

Inclusivity is a buzzword in the field of education and among those in the workplace. As a society, we are making great strides in being more accommodating. However, lighting can be an easily missed detail when striving for a more inclusive environment. As of 2022, the CDC estimates there are 5,437,988 adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).¹ In 2020, the CDC noted that about 1 in 36 children have ASD.² Those with ASD are known to have light sensitivities and so do others who are in the neurodivergent category. When considering that 15-20 percent of people around the world are neurodivergent,³ the number of people who could be negatively affected by lighting sensitivities greatly increases. In a 2021 study, about 94 percent of adults with autism identified with having sensory hyperactivity,⁴  and sensitivity to light was the third main issue reported by people with sensory hyperactivity in a 2017 study.⁵ A 2021 study revealed that 75 percent of adults with autism reported being hyperactive to bright and flashing lights.⁴ Subjecting someone with light sensitivity to harsh, fluorescent lighting can be distressing, causing headaches, agitation, and a distracted state of mind.⁶  No one can perform at their best, whether at school or in the office, when they are experiencing a sensory overload. Thankfully, switching to the proper LED lighting can help alleviate the common ailments that come with light sensitivity.

“Up to 50 percent of those who have autism may have severe sensitivity to fluorescent lighting.”⁷ Fluorescent lighting is less than ideal for those who are neurodivergent, especially those with ASD and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Fluorescent lighting is known for its flickering nature, noisy buzzing sound, and glare; most people may not notice these features of fluorescent lighting, but those who are highly sensitive will.⁸  Flickering, even flickering that the naked human eye cannot see (up to 160Hz), can cause people with light sensitivity “headaches, visual disturbance and difficulty in spatial processing.”⁶ LED lights can greatly eliminate flickering, buzzing, and glare due to how they are engineered.

LED stands for “Light Emitting Diode,” and they are small chips that are placed on circuit boards. When connected to a power source, the diodes glow, thus providing a low-glare, flickerless, and silent lighting option. This lighting technology differs from fluorescent and incandescent lights. Fluorescents illuminate due to the electrical current charging the mercury vapor inside the tube, creating a phosphor coating on the inside of the tube. These also require electronic ballasts, which is what creates the audible buzzing noise. LEDs do not need a ballast, as they are powered by a silent LED driver. Incandescent bulbs create light by the electrical current passing through the wire filament in the middle of the bulb until it creates light. This causes a large amount of heat with little usable light and restricts color temperatures. Due to the waves of the electrical current charging the mercury vapor or passing through the filament, fluorescent and incandescent lights flicker, whereas LEDs remain constant.

Additionally, LED lights can dim and even change color. A person’s lighting needs may change throughout the day. Those who become overstimulated from prolonged exposure to cool, bright lighting may start experiencing agitation and the need to begin stimming to relieve stress.⁵ Stimming, also known as “self-stimulating behaviors,” is repetitive body movements or use of an object, such as finger tapping, hand-waving, rocking, or fiddling with something like a bracelet.⁹ In a work setting, this may cause embarrassment. In a school setting, this may cause distraction. However, simply dimming the lights or changing the color of the lights can make a massive difference. In fact, a small study showed that children attending special educational services were 56 percent more engaged during classroom activities after spending time in a sensory-friendly room with sensory lighting.¹⁰  Providing lighting options can go far in making a more productive space for everyone. Occupational therapist, Marion Wilm, mentions that designing spaces for people with autism in mind would be more comfortable for all. She states, “We wouldn’t have to acclimate to intense stimuli nearly as often. Our nervous systems would be calmer. And we’d be in a better place for learning and problem solving. We’d be freer to use our brains for their real purpose instead of dealing with distractions.”⁸

Flickering can be a distraction for those with light sensitivities, causing headaches, migraines, fatigue, and other types of discomfort.⁸ Looking for lights with at least an 80+ coloring rendering index (CRI) can help reduce glare. Also, at Super Bright LEDS, we test for flicker and more on all of our products in our in-house test lab run by lighting experts.

Smart bulbs offer users a lot of control. The smart bulbs we suggest allow for changing the color of the light and the color temperature of white light (warm to cool). These bulbs can also dim. If one needs to relax, this bulb allows for the room to be cast in a blue light. If one needs a warmly lit room, this bulb can bathe the area in a soft glow. If too much light is a problem, then the light can be dimmed. These features can be achieved with an app or compatible remote. These bulbs were tested twice in our testing lab and showed these are nearly flickerless. The BR30 LED Smart Bulb showed 0% flicker. To give context, to be considered "low flicker," a light would need to score 30% or lower. The frosted lens also helps remove glare for uniform lighting. 

However, for simplicity, some may prefer to invest in standard bulbs. These bulbs have the warm color temperature that is better for those with light sensitivity. The A19 Frosted bulb can be dimmed with a compatabile switch. Both of the suggested bulbs were tested twice in our testing lab and showed less than 2% flicker while dimmed, which is extremely low! When not dimmed, they showed 0% flicker. The frosted lenses also significantly cut down on glare.

Ceiling lights can be distressing for those with light sensitivity, but these lights fit many of the ideal attributes when lamps and natural light are not an option. The lights selected have a selectable color temperature and offer frosted lenses to help with glare. The downlight is also recessed and has baffles– further helping with glare. The panel lights have an even light distribution, low glare, and under 2% flicker!  They also have selectable color temperatures. The Backlit Panel Light was tested to have an amazing 1.2% flicker. The Flat Panel Light has a 1.9% flicker and is dimmable!

To replace or update T8 bulbs, the below products are available. For inclusive lighting, we suggest going no higher than 4000K for the color temperature. For easy installation, we suggest the 12W T8 LED Tube. If you select that product, you may need to remove the ballast from your old fixture (if there is one) and make sure the fixture is compatible with dual-ended bulbs. The T8 bulb that tested with the lowest flicker (31%)  was the Philips tube bulb. It is also well-diffused, meaning there is little glare. The 15W LED Hybrid T8 Tube performed second best with 39% flicker. It was also well-diffused. 

Using alternative, or strip lighting, can add light without overwhelming the area. The suggested stirp lighting products can dim, have adjustable color temperature, and some can even change color. These adjustable lights can add pizzazz and functionality to any space. 

As our awareness of neurodiversity grows, it is important that we make practical changes to foster more inclusive environments. Something as ubiquitous as lighting should not be overlooked. With 15-20% of people identifying as neurodivergent, adjustments to lighting can have profound impacts on a substantial portion of the population. The research reveals many neurodivergent individuals experience light sensitivity that results in headaches, agitation, lack of focus, and other challenges. 

LED lighting provides solutions through customizable features like warmer color temperatures, dimmability, and flicker-free performance. Studies reveal that these types of sensory-friendly lighting modifications lead to heightened engagement, relaxation, and productivity. Simple upgrades like installing smart bulbs, utilizing glare-reducing lenses, and installing recessed fixtures have measurable positive outcomes. Though inclusive design benefits a minority group most, enhancements for sensory-friendly lighting produce more comfortable environments for all people. 

Within education, healthcare, workplaces, and homes, taking the necessary steps to evaluate and adjust lighting is one meaningful way to show support for the neurodiverse community. Through understanding and evidence-based modifications, we can work toward lighting that is inclusive by default, not as an afterthought. Inclusive lighting is a fundamental step towards creating spaces where everyone can thrive.

1. Key Findings: CDC Releases First Estimates of the Number of Adults Living with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the United States. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. Updated April 7, 2022. Accessed October 16, 2023.  https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/features/adults-living-with-autism-spectrum-disorder.html.
2. Data and Statistics on Autism Spectrum Disorder. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. Updated April 4, 2023. Accessed October 16, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html. 
3. Staff. Neurodiversity. Division of Cancer Epidemiology & Genetics. April 25, 2022. Accessed October 17, 2023. https://dceg.cancer.gov/about/diversity-inclusion/inclusivity-minute/2022/neurodiversity.
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6. Happold B. Technical Note: Sensory Friendly LED Lighting for Healthcare Environments. National Development Team for Inclusion. August 30, 2022. Accessed October 16,2023.  https://www.ndti.org.uk/assets/files/Sensory-friendly-LED-lighting-for-healthcare-environments_Final.pdf.
7. Coulter R. Understanding the Visual Symptoms of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Optom. Vis. Dev. 2009;40(3):164-175. Accessed October 20, 2023. https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.covd.org/resource/resmgr/certification_study_guide/understanding_visual_symptom.pdf.
8. Best lighting for ADHD, migraines and other neurological conditions. Eaton. Accessed October 17, 2023. https://www.eaton.com/ph/en-us/company/news-insights/lighting-resource/connected-lighting/best-lighting-for-adhd-migraines-and-other-neurological-conditions.html.
9. Pietrangelo A. Stimming: Causes and Managment. Healthline. Updated October 22, 2021. Accessed October 16, 2023. https://www.healthline.com/health/autism/stimming#behaviors.
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    Student Readiness in Muskegon County. [Master's thesis]. Allendale Charter Township, MI: Grand Valley State University; 2019. Acessed October 20, 2023.  https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1002&context=ot_education.
11. Sunil Nair A, Shanthi Priya R, Rajagopal P et al. A case study on the effect of light and colors in the built environment of autistic children's behavior. Front. Psychiatry. 2022 November 30;13:1042641.doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1042641.
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