Autism is a complex condition that affects each individual differently. Some people with autism may be sensitive to various environmental factors, such as certain sounds or textures, while others may not notice them at all.
People who have autism may be sensitive to certain things, including:
- Sights
- Sounds
- Smells
- Tastes
- Touch
- Balance (vestibular)
People who are autistic can experience both hypersensitivities (over-responses) and hypo-sensitivities (under-responses). Most people have a mixture of both. Many autistics experience hypersensitivities to bright light or certain light wavelengths (LED or fluorescent).
Sounds, scents, and tactile sensations may also cause discomfort. Some autistic individuals try to escape such triggers by withdrawing into themselves, hiding under covers, or seeking quiet places where they feel safe. Others seek out situations that provide sensory stimulation, such as crowded shopping malls, noisy restaurants, or busy streets.
Hyposensitivity is not uncommon. This may include trouble distinguishing between physical sensation and emotional feeling. A person might feel no pain, or they may find certain sounds painful. They may seek out bright light or vivid colors. Or they could be attracted to loud noise, bright lights, or vibrant colors.
Sensory issues often feel like tingling sensations, pins, and needles. Sensory sensitivity can cause difficulties in everyday life, especially when dealing with light levels, crowds, or loud environments. It can be exhausting for people who are hypersensitized to these things. Individuals with autism spectrum disorders may engage in repetitive behaviors, such as rocking back and forth, flapping hands, tapping feet, clapping, spinning objects, or twirling items. These activities can serve as a way for an individual to regulate their sensory system by blocking out unpleasant stimuli.
However, constant movement may be inappropriate or disruptive at times, especially when working in an office setting. Individuals with autism spectrum disorders who experience these symptoms may find themselves suppressing their stims, which leads to sensory overload, exhaustion, or burnout.
Sensory overwhelm occurs when an intense sensory stimulus exceeds our ability to cope. This may happen suddenly, such as when we hear a loud sound, or it may develop gradually, such as when we deal with everyday challenges that require us to manage our sensitivity. Sensory overwhelm can feel like intense stress, a desire to flee the scene, or trouble speaking. When the brain must devote all of its energy to managing sensory input, it can lose track of other important things, like communication skills.
Sensory issues may be caused by any number of things, including environmental factors. Some individuals with autism spectrum disorders may exhibit certain behaviors when they're having an experience related to their senses caused by an environmental factor:
- Increased movements, such as jumping or spinning
- More stimming, such as moving one’s hands or feet, making repetitive noises, or rocking back and forth.
- Talk fast and loud, or don't talk at all.
- Covering ears or eyes
- Difficulty recognizing internal feelings like hunger, pain, or the need to go to the bathroom
- Refusing or insisting on certain foods or clothing items
- Chewing gum often
- Touching people often or playing roughly
- Difficulty processing incoming stimuli due to shifting attention away from current tasks
- Escalating, overpowering feelings, or needing to get away from a situation (a meltdown)
Accommodations for sensory issues
Sensory issues can cause discomfort and limit opportunities for individuals with autism spectrum disorders to learn, interact socially, and engage with others. To help them cope with these challenges, we must understand their sensory needs and accommodate them accordingly.
Hypersensitive people may need an accommodation due to their sensitivity to light, sound, touch, temperature, smells, tastes, and textures. Accommodations can look like:
- Using light covers, glasses, or a hat under fluorescent lighting
- Using headphones or wearing noise-canceling headphones when listening to music or watching videos in loud environments
- Avoiding strongly scented products. You should choose foods that don't cause aversive reactions to textures, temperatures, or flavors
- Wearing soft, comfortable clothing
- Avoiding crowding by adjusting your schedule
Examples of accommodations for hypo sensitivities include
- For people who have trouble understanding speech, visual aids can help them understand what they're hearing.
- Use fidget toys, chewy toys, and weighted blankets to help calm yourself down when anxious
- Arranging the house so that there are no unsafe, closed spaces
- Taking regular movement breaks throughout the working hours
- Eating foods with strong tastes or mixed textures weighted blanket, lap pad, or clothes that provide deep pressure
People who have autistic spectrum disorders have the right to request reasonable accommodations at work or school. If you're the parent or supporter of a young person with ASD, you may want to discuss sensory accommodations with their IEP (Individualized Education Program).
There are various resources available for people who suffer from sensory processing disorders (SPD).
- Occupational therapists can help people with ASD develop skills for processing sensory input in everyday environments
- Feeding therapy can help children who have an aversion to foods they dislike by addressing their sensory sensitivities.
- Speech therapists use sensitivity-reducing techniques to help people who stutter speak more easily.
- Sensory stimulation helps these patients learn new skills by using their senses.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can be used to treat anxiety disorders and gradually improve one’s ability to tolerate overwhelming sensory experiences.
- You may be able to learn about sensory processing disorder (SPD) and potential workplace accommodation options.
Conclusion
Difficulties in processing and managing sensory information are common symptoms of autism spectrum disorders, and they can be easily triggered by environmental factors.
Parents can help their children with autism spectrum disorders cope with sensory overload through various strategies and tools.
You might also like: How to Boost Attention and Creativity in Children with Autism.
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