WhatItFeelsLike

Autism Sensory Simulator

Upload a video

Drag and drop or click to browse. Supports MP4, MOV, WebM and most common formats.

About This Tool

WhatItFeelsLike transforms everyday video footage to simulate how autistic individuals with sensory sensitivities may perceive the same environment. It is designed for caregivers to share with extended family and friends who may be unfamiliar with autism, building empathy through direct, personalised experience.

👁

Visual Effects

Brightness, flicker, saturation, tunnel vision

🔊

Audio Effects

Hyperacusis, reverberation, high-pitch sensitivity

🎛

Personalised

Caregivers control every effect independently

What sensory experiences are simulated?

Visual Hypersensitivity

  • Artificial lighting perceived as painfully bright
  • Fluorescent flicker visible as a strobe effect
  • Colours appear oversaturated and overwhelming
  • Visual motion causes merging of scenes and colours
  • Tunnel vision during sensory overload

Auditory Hypersensitivity (Hyperacusis)

  • Background noise amplified to foreground level
  • High-pitched sounds perceived as sharp and painful
  • Echoes and reverberation not filtered by the brain
  • Low-frequency vibrations felt physically

Based on: Parmar et al. (2021). Visual Sensory Experiences From the Viewpoint of Autistic Adults. Frontiers in Psychology.

Caregiver Controls

Adjust each effect to reflect a specific person's sensory experience.

Sensory Load
Off

Quick Presets

Brightness
100%
Colour Saturation
100%
Contrast
100%
Flicker Intensity
0%
Flicker Speed
50%
Tunnel Vision (Vignette)
0%
Visual Blur
0px
Colour Shift (Hue)