10/24/2025
Emotional sensitivity is a common characteristic in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It refers to an heightened awareness and reactivity to emotions, both their own and others'.
Key Features:
Intense emotions: Autistic individuals may experience emotions more intensely than neurotypical individuals. This can lead to strong reactions, such as meltdowns or shutdowns.
Difficulty regulating emotions: Autistic individuals may find it challenging to control their emotions, which can result in outbursts or withdrawal.
Hypersensitivity to others' emotions: They may be highly sensitive to the emotions of others, picking up on subtle cues and mirroring their feelings.
Rejection sensitivity dysphoria (RSD): Some autistic individuals experience intense emotional distress when they feel rejected or criticized, even if the rejection is minor.
Sensory processing differences: Emotional sensitivity can be linked to sensory processing differences, where individuals are more or less sensitive to external stimuli like sounds, lights, or smells.
Causes:
The exact cause of emotional sensitivity in autism is not fully understood. However, it is believed to be related to differences in brain structure and function, as well as genetic factors.
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