1.3. Outline sensory difficulties which may be experienced by individuals with an Autistic Spectrum Condition

This guide will help you answer 1.3. Outline sensory difficulties which may be experienced by individuals with an Autistic Spectrum Condition.

Some individuals with autism experience challenges with sensory processing. This means their brain handles sensory input – like sound, touch, sight, taste, smell, balance, or body awareness – differently. These challenges can range from mild annoyances to severe distress and can impact daily life.

Sensory differences are unique to each person, so not everyone with autism will have the same experiences. Below, we’ll outline common sensory difficulties they may face.

Hypersensitivity (Over-Responsive to Sensory Input)

People who are hypersensitive find some sensory experiences overwhelming. Instead of filtering out unimportant stimuli, their brain amplifies them. This can result in distress or even physical discomfort.

Examples of Hypersensitivities:

• Sound: Sudden or loud noises can seem unbearable. Everyday sounds, like a vacuum cleaner, ticking clock, or even quiet background music, can cause stress.
• Light: Bright lights, flickering fluorescent bulbs, or strong contrasts might be painful or distracting. Some people may prefer dim lighting or sunglasses indoors.
• Touch: Certain textures, clothing tags, or even gentle hugs might feel uncomfortable or painful. Light touch can be especially problematic compared to firm pressure.
• Taste and Smell: Strong flavours, spicy foods, or certain smells may be intense and hard to handle. Everyday odours like perfume or cleaning products might cause nausea or headaches.

How This May Affect Someone:

An overstimulated person might avoid noisy or crowded areas. They may prefer quieter settings and simple, familiar routines. Meltdowns can happen in overwhelming environments if they can’t escape or calm down.

Hyposensitivity (Under-Responsive to Sensory Input)

Hyposensitive individuals experience sensory input as weaker or less noticeable. Their brain underreacts to the stimuli, making them seek out stronger sensations to feel ‘normal’.

Examples of Hyposensitivities:

• Sound: They may not respond to their name being called or notice loud backgrounds. Some may seek out loud music or make repetitive noises to feel stimulated.
• Light and Colour: Dim lighting or detailed visuals might not register clearly. Bright, flashing lights or colourful objects might grab their attention more effectively.
• Touch: They might not seem aware of pain, temperature changes, or the fit of their clothes. Some people may seek deep pressure, rough play, or strong hugs to fulfil their sensory need.
• Taste and Smell: Bland foods may be unappealing. Some might prefer very spicy, sour, or extremely sweet tastes.

How This May Affect Someone:

Under-responsiveness can make someone appear distracted or disinterested. It could also lead to risky behaviours, like touching hot objects or climbing high places, as they seek extra sensory input.

Visual Sensory Challenges

People with autism often have unique visual processing. For some, what they see might appear overwhelming or disjointed. Patterns, bright colours, or cluttered spaces might create confusion.

Examples of Visual Challenges:

• Struggling to focus in messy rooms due to a need for clean, structured environments.
• Seeing objects move in a way others don’t notice, such as flickering fluorescent lights.
• Trouble making sense of facial expressions.

Visual Strategies that Help:

• Using clear, uncluttered spaces.
• Providing visual schedules or soft lighting to create calm environments.

Auditory Sensory Challenges

Sounds can be problematic for many autistic individuals. Sometimes, specific tones or pitches may be distressing. On other occasions, they might struggle to hear sounds clearly in busy settings.

Common Difficulties:

• Distress from sudden noises, like sirens or alarms.
• Difficulty focusing on speech during background noise, even in casual conversations.
• Obsessive repetition of certain pleasant sounds for sensory satisfaction.

Communication Tips:

• Using quieter tones during conversations.
• Pairing spoken directions with gestures or written instructions for clarity.
• Allowing quiet breaks or using noise-cancelling headphones.

Tactile Sensory Challenges

Touch sensitivities are widespread in autism. Reactions to textures, materials, or physical contact are personal and complex.

Consider These Challenges:

• Refusing to wear certain clothes because of scratchy fabrics or tight seams.
• Disliking food textures, like lumpy or mushy items.
• Cringing from light touches, such as softly brushing a hand.

Ways to Support Them:

• Letting them choose soft, comfortable clothing.
• Offering a variety of food textures during meals to cater to preferences.
• Respecting their personal space and avoiding unexpected touches.

Smell and Taste Sensory Challenges

Smell and taste can either be overwhelming or underwhelming for autistic individuals. These senses are closely linked and can affect their eating habits or comfort in certain settings.

Common Challenges:

• Strong smells, like cleaning products or perfumes, may cause nausea or headaches.
• Intolerance to specific foods due to smell, rather than taste.
• Seeking out strong flavours like spicy or tangy foods to satisfy underresponsive taste buds.

Practical Support Tips:

• Allowing them to avoid food or settings with overpowering smells.
• Coming to meal compromises, such as offering bland foods if needed.
• Warn them about powerful odours in new environments.

Vestibular (Balance and Movement) Needs

The vestibular system controls balance and body awareness. Autistic individuals might either avoid movement or actively seek it, depending on their sensitivity.

Recognising Vestibular Differences:

• Difficulty with activities requiring balance, like standing on one foot or climbing stairs.
• Constant spinning, rocking, or movement-seeking behaviour to feel in control.
• Fear of activities like swinging or spinning if they feel disoriented.

How to Provide Support:

• Creating safe spaces for rocking chairs, trampolines, or soft mats.
• Supporting physical activities that gently encourage movement, like swimming.

Proprioceptive (Body Awareness) Differences

Proprioception controls the sense of one’s body position. It helps us know where our limbs are without looking. People with autism might struggle with this sense.

Challenges They Face:

• Difficulty gauging pressure, leading to a too-hard handshake or sloppy handwriting.
• Tripping, bumping into objects, or needing more space when walking.
• Body movements that look clumsy or stiff.

Tips to Help:

• Exercises involving pushing, pulling, or lifting can calm the proprioceptive system.
• Guidance on fine motor skills, such as holding a pencil or tying shoelaces.

Multi-Sensory Challenges

Sometimes, individuals experience sensory overload when multiple senses are triggered together. This can make everyday tasks feel exhausting or frustrating.

Example Scenario:

A busy shopping centre poses challenges because:

• Bright lighting assaults their eyes.
• Crowded spaces lead to overwhelming touch sensations.
• Chatter and music create sound overload.
• Unfamiliar smells combine to distract or nauseate.

Supporting Someone Through Overload:

• Helping them find quieter, less crowded spaces when needed.
• Building flexible schedules to avoid peak-times for activities.

Conclusion

Understanding sensory difficulties is key for offering support. Sensory challenges differ for each person, and needs may change over time. By being patient and listening, you can work together to create a supportive environment. A calm, understanding approach helps reduce distress and improve their quality of life.