Autistic people experience the world differently from others. Sensory issues arising from autism are a well-known aspect of the condition, and in particular hypersensitivity (increased sensitivity) in one or more senses occurs frequently in autistic people. When you sense the world differently to others you inevitably react and behave differently as well. Someone whose autism causes an increase in the sensitivity of their sense of smell, for example, my be uncomfortable entering a particular room because of a strong smell there that distresses them but cannot be detected by others.
This resource is designed to give an overview of the sensory issues and symptoms often associated with autism, known as the 7 senses of autism. Like all of us, every autistic person is different, so no two autistic people will have the same sensory issues to the same degree. It is also unlikely, though not impossible, that an autistic person will experience differences with all 7 senses as described here, but nearly 4 out of every 5 autistic people will experience sensory issues of one type or another. There are also a number of different ways that each sense can be affected.
Autism affects every person differently and in a way which is unique to that individual person. Similarly, the reactions of everyone on the spectrum are personal and should be supported in a manner that benefits the individual in their own unique way.
The Seven Senses of Autism
7 senses of autism covered in this resource are:
For each, we will explore how an autistic person may have a different experience with the sense, how this might affect their life, and how they can be helped and supported in dealing with those issues. We will give examples of the sensory issues that sometimes arise from autism. In all cases, a key way to help and support an autistic person is to recognise the issue(s), accept them as genuine and ask the person about the environmental factors that can cause them problems if they are able to express this.
It is also important to remember that an individual may have several sensory differences which combine to create unique issues and requirements, and that what works for one person may be entirely inappropriate for another.
A big part of any help and support is identifying that there is an issue at all and seeking to explore it. The fact that you are reading this resource is already a positive step in offering support and deepening your understanding, so thank you!
Sight (vision)
Over responsiveness (avoiders):
Possible issues Potential impacts on life How to help and provide support
- May prefer lights to be dimmed, large, open bright spaces to be broken up, and to keep away from very crowded areas and other spaces with lots of things to see that could be distracting.
- Lack of eye contact can be explained to others: why someone does not make eye contact and what it does and does not mean. It is particularly important that this issue is raised in advance of situations such as interviews and other formal settings, and assurances given to the autistic person at the time that others are aware of their condition and that they will not be negatively viewed as a result can be hugely helpful.
Under responsiveness (seekers):
Possible issues Potential impacts on life
- May be easily distracted by aspects of their environment and lose focus on a task they are supposed to be completing, in the same way that others may become so engaged in a book or TV program that they lose track of time.
- This can be problematic if it is a regular occurrence and prevents progress in other tasks or even basic self-care.
How to help and provide support
- Consider how an environment can be modified to be more comfortable for the person according to their needs — changes required are often very minor.
- Sleeping environments can be particularly difficult, and extra lighting or night lights may help seekers to settle and fall asleep.
Hearing (auditory)
Over sensitivity to sound (hyper-responsive):
Types of issues possible Potential impacts on life
- May find busy or noisy environments very difficult or painful to deal with if the noises are those to which they are particularly sensitive and will want to leave the location to escape the over stimulation.
- Someone who has difficulty filtering out many voices heard at once will struggle to focus in a crowded place were lots of people are talking, such as a shopping centre or an open plan office.
- Someone who cannot tolerate the hum of machinery will be unable to focus while exposed to such a sound.
- Those that react badly to sudden loud noises may find it impossible to carry on normally for a period during and after such noises.
How to help and provide support
Reduced sensitivity to sound (hypo-responsive):
Types of issues possible
Potential impacts on life
How to help and provide support
Environmental meaning deafness:
Types of issues possible
Potential impacts on life
How to help and provide support
Meaning deafness:
Types of issues possible
Potential impacts on life
How to help and provide support
- Use short, direct sentences to convey the meaning as succinctly as possible and one step at a time.
- Write down sets of instructions in steps if possible.
Tonal deafness:
Types of issues possible
Potential impacts on life
- May misunderstand things like sarcasm and irony, and take words more literally than intended, particularly if tone or body language is used to convey the actual intended meaning.
- May fail to identify moods and emotions if not conveyed by the words spoken, such as someone saying they are happy while showing with tone and body language that they are not.
How to help and provide support
Smell (olfactory)
Increased sensitivity to smell (avoiders):
Types of issues possible
Potential impacts on life How to help and provide support
Reduced sensitivity to smell (seekers):
Types of issues possible
- May be drawn to strong aromas to stimulate their sense of smell.
- May go out of their way to experience strong scents like curry powder or perfume, and may approach people to smell their skin or hair.
Potential impacts on life
- Can cause difficulties socially, particularly if approaching other people to smell them who do not understand or appreciate their condition and may feel threatened.
- May miss important warning signals from smells, such as smoke, gas or food that has gone off. If an autistic person has trouble sensing or identifying such smells, they could be in avoidable danger at times without assistance.
How to help and provide support
- Educating others that they meet, explaining why the behaviour takes place and that there is no harmful intent.
- Awareness of those regularly around the person that warning smells may be missed.
Taste (gustatory)
Increased sensitivity to taste:
Types of issues possible Potential impacts on life How to help and provide support
- New foods can be introduced by making them similar in texture and colour to the person’s preferred food tastes. (Mash up fruit or vegetables if they prefer smooth foods etc.)
- Social stories. Write a short info sheet that puts the food into a very positive light that will encourage the person to want to try it! Use the person’s motivator within the storyline to engage their attention further e.g. Use a Thomas the Tank Engine plate to offer the food.
- Desensitisation (a behavioural technique). Try putting a small piece of ‘new food’ near the person’s plate until gradually it can be placed on the plate. This could take several days or even weeks. Eventually the individual may try it.
- Alternate mouthfuls of a favourite food with mouthfuls of the new food. This can work well with children or older individuals. Keep it positive and treat it as a fun game.
- Most of all be positive and be patient and enable the person to feel in control. We all need to feel in control of our lives.
Reduced sensitivity to taste:
Types of issues possible
- May prefer foods that are very strong tasting or spicy.
- May pick up and eat or explore with their mouths non-edible items, including everyday things such as grass, stones, soil and faeces (known as pica).
Potential impacts on life How to help and provide support
Touch (tactile)
Increased sensitivity to touch:
Types of issues possible
- Simple touches may be unpleasant or painful.
- May overreact to minor pain.
- May avoid getting dirty or messy.
- May avoid certain activities such as eating certain foods, brushing their teeth, bathing, and having a haircut.
- May avoid certain types of clothes and fabrics.
- Autism can often lead to issues with tolerance of certain textures.
Potential impacts on life
- Avoidance or neglect of basic self-care.
- Everyday activities or inadvertent contact may cause pain or distress.
How to help and provide support
- Try to avoid sensations which cause problems where possible.
- Find work arounds if possible — is the issue with washing the temperature of the water or the container it is in?
Reduced sensitivity to touch:
Types of issues possible Potential impacts on life How to help and provide support
Vestibular (movement and balance)
Over responsive (avoider):
Types of issues possible
Potential impacts on life
How to help and provide support
Under responsiveness (seeker):
Types of issues possible
- May require more movement to their vestibular system to find the ideal balance that we all feel comfortable with in all our senses.
- May appear as hyperactivity, a desire to be on the move all the time, to eagerly accept experiences like fairground rides, swings, rough and tumble or gymnastics.
Potential impacts on life
How to help and provide support
- Try to find activities that can provide the stimulation required in a safe and accessible manner. For example, as with over-responsiveness, rocking or swinging may be helpful.
- Allow time and space to deal with the feelings as required.
Proprioception (position of body)
Proprioception is our body awareness system which unconsciously tells us where our bodies are in relation to other objects and space, and how our different body parts are moving. Proprioceptive receptors are in our joints and ligaments and they allow for this movement and posture. This system also helps us to regulate appropriate pressure for tasks such as cracking open an egg without crushing it in our hand and it even assists with the tone of our voice. There can be issues regarding proprioceptive feedback connected to autism, leading to those affected struggling to sense and control the position of their body.
Hyper-sensitivity (over sensitivity and responsiveness in body positioning):
Types of issues possible
- May appear clumsy, knock things over, drop items, bump into things, or stand too close to others because they struggle with judging proximity and personal space.
- May have difficulty in regulating pressure so may break items or struggle with writing (their pressure on the pen can be too light or so heavy that they may even rip the paper).
Potential impacts on life How to help and provide support
- Simple guidance or practical assistance, such as advice on standing an arm’s length away from others.
- Find alternatives to writing on paper if this is difficult, such as a tablet or chalkboard.
Hyposensitivity (under sensitivity and responsiveness in body positioning):
Types of issues possible Potential impacts on life
- May hurt themselves or others, or damage objects.
- May become stressed if no way to satisfy need for sensory input is available when required.
How to help and provide support
- A weighted jacket or backpack may give the sensory feedback needed when out walking.
- Weighted blankets may be helpful when static.
Inevitably a resource of this type can only give an overview of the sensory issues which can be part of autism. Every person is different and will be affected in a unique combination of ways by sensory issues where present. These will also combine with the natural strengths and weaknesses of the person alongside any autistic sensory traits. It is essential that every person is valued for who they are and allowed to be themselves.
Originally published at https://app2vox.com.
