Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS) reflects individual differences in responsiveness to environmental stimuli, and has been observed across neurodivergent traits including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and those with migraines. Photophobia and color sensitivity are among the main similarities. This study examined how sensory sensitivities associated with the above traits affect performance on a visual search task, by manipulating brightness and color saturation within a VR simulated environment. We recruited 52 participants from the general population at Rhode Island College. We expected that individuals who scored higher on migraine, ASD, and ADHD traits would have lower sensory thresholds for brightness and color saturation, and perform worse in the visual search task. To measure these traits, individuals took questionnaires such as the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ), Sensory Perception Quotient (SPQ), The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS-v1.1), The Migraine Disability Assessment Test (MIDAS), and The Migraine Screen Questionnaire (MS-Q). Results indicated no associations between trait measures and thresholds, as well as no effects of brightness or saturation intensity on performance. However, sensory processing and ADHD traits did predict overall performance in the search task, and ADHD and migraine traits were associated with differences in reaction time depending on target presence. Our study addresses several existing gaps in the literature, as current research on sensory sensitivity is limited and often focuses on narrow contexts that do not reflect real-world conditions.
