Sensory Difficulties in People with Autism

What are some sensory difficulties?

I found this list helpful to understand how to measure another personʼs sensory difficulties.

In other words, I felt this was a good explanation of sensory processing issues for a layperson.

What are sensory difficulties?

Difficulties with loud noises, smells, hugs, to walk on certain surfaces, and certain foods.

People on the autism spectrum often have sensory difficulties.

Their brains have trouble processing taste, touch, sound, smell, and sight.

The list is as follows:

Autism Spectrum Disorder Neurospans:

1. Cognitive Capacity – The amount of data in permanent storage.

2. Abstraction – Information not based on fact. (Eg. Social skills nuances, emotional understanding, imagination)

3. Sensory Integration – Intake of data (Eg. Sight, sound, touch, taste, smell)

4. Executive Functioning – Regulation of all information. (Eg. Attention, inhibition, emotional regulation, PROCESSING SPEED)

5. Comorbid Anxiety and Depression – Anxiety: Canʼt predict what happens next that creates HELPLESSNESS; Depression: Chronic helplessness, creates hiding/apathy

What does all of that mean?

I am a mother of a twelve-year-old with autism, but I am not a professional in the autism field.

However, this is my unprofessional (yet somewhat experienced) interpretation of the list.

1. My son remember details from the past. However, if I ask him how his day at school went, he struggles.

His data storage is huge and permanent, but a lot of it is limited to numbers, dates, and things that are concrete.

Similarly, I would say his cognitive capacity is great.

2. My son struggles with anything that is abstract.

Facial cues are difficult for him to interpret. In addition, he cannot tell me why an author wrote something. 

He misses typical “subtleties.”

For example, he has learned a lot of idioms. He enjoys them, but even after I explain what one means, I’m not sure he totally understands.

More interpretations

3. His intake of data has been strong and relatively balanced.

We took him to Major League baseball games and other sporting events when he was very young. The noise levels at these events never seemed to bother him.

However, he would get overstimulated by a very “busy“ room (like a classroom) when he was younger.

He has always been more of a visual learner. He’s better as he gets older.

In addition, food has never been an issue. However, he doesn’t like to try new foods.

In conclusion, he’s not bad with sensory integration.

4. Executive functioning was an issue. He is much better.

He continues to process things slower than typical peers. His attention at school and his emotional regulation has improved. So much so that we want to wean off his aide. 

He is confident he can go an entire school day without an aide. His confidence level is the highest we have ever seen.

His inhibitions decrease as his confidence increases.

Finally

5. He has had some anxiety issues in the past but they were never severe.

For example, he has never had any gastrointestinal issues that are sometimes linked to children with autism. They struggle to cope, they take it out on their stomachs. 

My son can self-regulate most of the time, with only an occasional meltdown (or mini-meltdown).

The difference with age is his ability to “come out of it“ sooner. We no longer see a full-blown meltdown.

If he feels anxious, he communicates what’s happening to him.

I have heard him tell me, “I’m nervous.”

In turn, I can ask him how he’s feeling. We talk and try to work things out.

I try my best to give him information ahead of time.

For instance, he has greatly improved in the area of how to deal with “the unexpected.” It simply does not cause the anxiety it used to.

His maturity in this area is very evident.

The five areas for my child

That is my interpretation of the five areas on this list as it pertains to my son.

Since the autism spectrum is a spectrum, no two children, no two people, are alike.

Hopefully, perhaps my explanation will help you understand it better.

What is the spectrum like for sensory difficulties?

Again, itʼs a spectrum. There are kids with an autism diagnoses who have very few of the above issues.

Or, they had them when they were younger and now they are not as common now (like my son).

Kids can also have all of them.

Recognizing issues as soon as possible is key. Recognize and evaluate, then get services.

In addition, I believe we all have sensory issues. For example, I don’t always like loud noises. I don’t have a meltdown because of it, but it can still bother me.

Sensory issues may not be permanent. With time and the right strategies, many can improve or disappear. There are ways to deal with them.

Children can learn to cope. Sensory difficulties in people with autism can be a challenge, but one that can be handled for the safety and comfort of the individual.

Here’s more on sensory difficulties in people with autism:

http://www.autismweb.com/sensory.htm

 

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