Neurodivergence refers to the natural variations in the human brain regarding neurological development, cognition, and behavior. This includes conditions such as autism, ADHD, tourettes, dyslexia, highly sensitive persons (HSP), and others. Light sensitivity, also known as photophobia, is a common experience among individuals with neurodivergent conditions and tendencies for high sensitivity to stimuli such as light and sound.

Many neurodivergent individuals may be sensitive to light, sound, or other sensory stimuli. Light sensitivity can manifest in different ways, ranging from discomfort in bright lighting to experiencing physical pain or migraines triggered by certain types of light.

It's important to recognize and respect the diverse sensory experiences of neurodivergent individuals. This may involve creating environments with adjustable and/or warm lighting, providing options for individuals to control their surroundings, and fostering awareness and understanding of neurodivergence in various settings.

People with neurodiversity often face challenges such as too much glare, sudden changes in light intensity, and poorly controlled color temperatures. These difficulties can lead to feelings of agitation, anxiety, and visual fatigue, potentially restricting their capacity to participate in various environments and activities fully.

Sensitivity to light can manifest in different ways for neurodivergent individuals. For instance, physical symptoms may include:

• Lower tolerance for light
• Discomfort from fluorescents and other artificial light
• Light avoidance behaviors (e.g., shielding eyes)
• Afterimages
• Visual snow (e.g., visual images look almost like “static”)
• Headaches or migraines triggered by light

The influence of lighting on mood and concentration in neurodivergent individuals is multifaceted, with varying effects depending on the specific neurodivergent condition and individual preferences.

Bright lighting, particularly natural sunlight, has been associated with improved mood by positively impacting serotonin production. However, sensory sensitivities in some neurodivergent individuals may lead to discomfort with harsh or flickering lighting, potentially affecting mood negatively.

Regarding concentration, task-specific lighting tailored to activities such as work or study can enhance focus, while avoiding glare and harsh lighting is important to prevent distractions. Sensory processing differences and personal preferences play a significant role, with some individuals benefiting from low-intensity lighting for reduced sensory overload, while others may require higher intensity for alertness. 

Recognizing the diversity within the neurodivergent community and considering individual preferences are crucial for creating environments that effectively support mood and concentration. Collaborative efforts that involve the input and feedback of neurodivergent individuals contribute to the development of accommodating environments.

“Brighter lighting overall tends to bring my energy and mood up, while dim lighting makes me either cozy and sleepy or morose and drained. If I’m working on a project of any kind, I concentrate best with the room daylight-bright”. -Kate

"The second thing I notice is if the light is flickering at all or if it casts peculiar shadows because another light intersects with it. A flickering light, even if it’s not constant, is distracting, like someone snapping their fingers behind my head, because it’s a change in my environment that my brain automatically registers every time it happens, even if I try to ignore it. Double/multiple shadows are distracting for the same reason.” -Kate 

"I feel I have noticed that if I am in an area where the lights are too bright, I will either leave the room or just turn my head away. If it's too dark or dimly lit, after a short while, I will feel sleepy. I also suffer from chronic migraines, and when those flair up, the lights become awful x2. "-Kathryn (Kat)

"As much as decor, lighting determines the mood of a space. You can very easily change a relaxed, whimsical, even romantic space into a cold, sterile space by changing to bright overhead lighting. Lighting can be as powerful as music for your mood. Choosing the right light when you are overstimulated is like choosing a lullaby to help you fall asleep rather than a dance track." -Female A, 31

“Proper lighting is important for mood and concentration. Flickering and/or noisy lights kill concentration and sour my mood, often increasing tension and contributing to sensory overload and sometimes panic. Lights that are too bright can cause distress. Every LED indicator light I have has tape over it, lest it light up the whole room. The lowest brightness on my phone hurts my eyes if I look at my phone in the dark.”- Savannah

Scientists have established a connection between individuals with autism and an atypical pupillary light reflex. This reflex pertains to how the pupil responds and adjusts to different light intensity levels. The key players in this phenomenon are the photosensitive retinal ganglion cells, previously associated with light sensitivity in migraines. This association implies that impairments in these cells may influence how individuals with autism perceive light.

Lighting significantly affects the concentration of neurodivergent individuals, causing sensory overload and discomfort. Bright or flickering lights contribute to distraction and reduce their ability to focus. Visual distractions, like glaring lights, particularly challenge those with attention-related issues, hindering their capacity to stay on task. 

Personalized adjustments, such as softening light intensity and promoting awareness, are crucial for creating inclusive environments that enhance the well-being and concentration of neurodivergent individuals.

"Warm yellow lighting helps create a calm atmosphere. Cold or fluorescent lighting creates stress, even visceral irritation. Generally, low lighting is comforting, and bright overhead lighting feels like an interrogation.” -Anonymous, Female A, 31.

“Lighting is very important in my environment, especially if I need to concentrate and/or relax. Lighting and mood go hand in hand.” - Amanda

Neurodivergent individuals often struggle with lighting that is too bright or too blue. From our survey responses, nearly everyone mentioned avoiding blue lights or lights that can be too bright. The direction of lighting can also cause an impact, such as if there’s too heavy of a shadow or it's angled directly into their eyes or line of vision. 

Bright lights can cause irritability in some neurodivergent individuals as well, noted highly among individuals with Autism. Warmer lighting with the ability to be dimmed is preferred.

“If light is too bright or if it is a specific kind of light (fluorescent) I will usually feel irritable and quickly get a bad headache or even a migraine. This makes it hard to concentrate because it quickly becomes overwhelming. If a light is flickering, it is even worse”. -Raine

“The second thing I notice is if the light is flickering at all, or if it casts peculiar shadows because another light intersects with it. A flickering light, even if it’s not constant, is distracting, like someone snapping their fingers behind my head, because it’s a change in my environment that my brain automatically registers every time it happens, even if I try to ignore it. Double/multiple shadows are distracting for the same reason”- Katie

“Too blue/white on the spectrum is cold. Feels like the sound on a chalkboard scratching, or fork on the plate, but to my eyes. “-Jonathan

We asked a local Dental Anesthesia Center in the St. Louis area with LED lights throughout the office about the benefits they’d experienced using LEDs with both patients and employees over other bulb types. Using a more thoughtful and inclusive approach to lighting allows the dental center ensure all patients and employees, regardless if they are neurodivergent or not, experience a higher level of comfort by minimizing visual stress. 

The consensus was that the color-corrected LED lighting helps them forget the dark, dreary outdoors during bad weather. Light bulbs designed for color correction usually boast a Color Rendering Index (CRI) of 90 or above, providing high-quality light. They are commonly employed in settings where the precision of color is crucial, including art galleries, museums, photographic studios, and jewelry stores.

It also helps with Seasonal Affective Mood Disorder for patients and the employees. The office uses correlated color 4000K LEDs, similar to daylight, throughout the entire office. 

The benefits of using these 4000K LED lights throughout the office include lower electricity bills and accurate matching of shade and color for dental work. Additionally, the office has noticed positive effects on mood, specifically during the winter months and in offices with no windows or natural light.