06/07/2022
Sensory Issues:
Sensory issues are common in people with autism and are even included in the diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder. Each autistic person is unique, and this includes their personal sensory sensitivities.
People with autism might have sensitivities to:
1. Sights
2. Sounds
3. Smells
4.Tastes
5.Touch
6. Balance (vestibular)
7. Awareness of body position and movement (proprioception)
8. Awareness of internal body cues and sensations (interoception)
9. Autistic people can experience both hypersensitivity (over-responsiveness) and hyposensitivity (under-responsiveness) to a wide range of stimuli. Most people have a combination of both.
Many autistic people experience hypersensitivity to bright lights or certain light wavelengths (e.g., LED or fluorescent lights). Certain sounds, smells, textures and tastes can also be overwhelming. This can result in sensory avoidance – trying to get away from stimuli that most people can easily tune out. Sensory avoidance can look like pulling away from physical touch, covering the ears to avoid loud or unpredictable sounds, or avoiding certain kinds of clothing.
Hyposensitivity is also common. This can look like a constant need for movement; difficulty recognizing sensations like hunger, illness or pain; or attraction to loud noises, bright lights and vibrant colors. People who are hyposensitive may engage in sensory seeking to get more sensory input from the environment. For example, people with autism may stimulate their senses by making loud noises, touching people or objects, or rocking back and forth.
What do sensory issues feel like?
Having unique sensitivities to certain types of sensory input can create challenges in everyday situations like school, work or community settings. For someone who is hypersensitive, it can take a lot of effort to spend all day under LED or fluorescent lights, navigate a crowded …
Sensory overload happens when an intense sensory stimulus overwhelms your ability to cope. This can be triggered by a single event, like an unexpected loud noise, or it can build up over time due to the effort it takes to cope with sensory sensitivities in daily life. Sensory overload can feel like intense anxiety, a need to escape the situation or difficulty communicating. When the brain has to put all of its resources into sensory processing, it can shut off other functions, like speech, decision making and information processing.
What do sensory issues look like?
Many people with autism show certain behaviors when they are experiencing a sensory issue:
Increased movement, such as jumping, spinning or crashing into things
Increased stimming, such as hand flapping, making repetitive noises or rocking back and forth
Talking faster and louder, or not talking at all
Covering ears or eyes
Difficulty recognizing internal sensations like hunger, pain or the need to use the bathroom
Refusing or insisting on certain foods or clothing items
Frequent chewing on non-food items
Frequent touching of others or playing rough
Difficulty communicating or responding as the brain shifts resources to deal with sensory input (shutdown)
Escalating, overwhelming emotions or need to escape a situation (meltdown)
Accommodations for sensory issues
Understanding and accommodating sensory issues can ease discomfort and increase opportunities for autistic people to learn, socialize, communicate and participate in the community. Accommodations might mean modifying the environment, using tools and strategies, or creating new habits or routines. Since sensory needs depend the environment, accommodations may need to be adapted for each setting.
Examples of accommodations for hypersensitivity:
Using light covers, sunglasses or a hat under fluorescent lights
Wearing ear plugs or headphones in noisy environments
Working in spaces with a closed door or high walls
Avoiding strongly scented products
Choosing foods that avoid aversions to textures, temperatures or spices
Wearing soft, comfortable clothing
Adjusting schedules to avoid crowds
Examples of accommodations for hyposensitivity:
Visual supports for those who have difficulty processing spoken information
Using fidget toys, chewies and other sensory tools
Arranging furniture to provide safe, open spaces
Taking frequent movement breaks throughout the day
Eating foods with strong flavors or mixed textures
Weighted blankets, lap pads or clothing that provides deep pressure
Autistic people have the right to ask for reasonable accommodations at work and school. If you are the parent or support person of a child with autism, you can talk about sensory accommodations at school with their IEP team or consider a 504 plan.
Self-advocacy for sensory issues
If you are an autistic person, you may need to self-advocate for your sensory needs to be met. This starts with learning about your needs so you understand what works and what doesn’t work for you. Then, you can make changes to your environment, try new tools or strategies, or change your routines to better meet your needs.
