2/22 Sensory Overload, Seizures, and EDS

This Tuesday, the Duke Neurodiversity Advocates (DNA) are hosting one of our own — Chloe Schwartz, a Duke student who lives with both a seizure disorder and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) — to talk about the daily realities of sensory overload and body regulation.

For many neurodivergent and chronically ill students, sensory overload isn’t just uncomfortable — it’s physically dangerous. Bright lights, noise, crowds, or even stress can trigger pain, dizziness, or neurological symptoms. Chloe will share what that’s like firsthand, how she’s learned to advocate for accessible environments, and what strategies actually help.

We’ll talk about:

• What sensory overload feels like when your nervous system is extra sensitive

• How seizure disorders and EDS intersect with neurodivergence

• Signs your body is nearing overload — and how to step back before it spirals

• Sensory tools and environmental adjustments that make a difference (headphones, tinted glasses, grounding, pacing)

• How peers, professors, and friends can be supportive without overstepping