Are overload and sensitivity interchangeable

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I always assumed that it was shutdown/meltdown from too many different sensory sources at once. However im hearing people describing sensitivity to sound smell touch etc thats sound SENSITIVITY as far as I know. Is my definition somehow flawed

I don't know, but I think sensitivity that is causing distress is overload whether from one sensory source or many, and overload can lead to shutdown/meltdown.

I can be from just one source if that is what you mean.
It does not have to be a whole bunch of things, it can be just one thing that is too intense.

It can be from just one source if that is what you mean.
It does not have to be a whole bunch of things, it can be just one thing that is too intense.

That globally describes my own experience. It can happen that one source really bother me (sometimes I can't stand someone's voice, or a song playing) but it is not common. Usually I am feeling bad when I am in the middle of many different sensory stimuli and can't select those who are relevant ; the worst are things like crowded dining halls and bars with everyone's voice resonating. In those situations all I can usually manage is to "shut down" all of the external input and focus on my inner world. It avoids me a lot of stress and displeasure but then I can't normally function (and follow a conversation for example).

But there are many persons on the spectrum who indeed seem really more sensitive to some stimuli.

hmm I always maintained that I DIDNT get sensory overload. If the definition is as described then I get severe sensory overload to the point where I meltdown. I dont see how being sensitive to a particular stimulus equates to overload however.