Sensory challenges

Sensory challenges can be part of the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis. According to DSM-5, to meet diagnostic criteria for ASD, a child must have persistent deficit in each of three areas of social communication and interaction plus at least two of four types of restricted, repetitive behaviour. Hyper/hypo reactivity to sensory input or unusual interest in sensory aspects of the environment being one of the four types of restricted, repetitive behaviour.

In the poster above, Shana Squirrel who is wearing a noise-cancelling headphone, playing with a fidget toy, and has a chewlery as a necklace and a pop-it bracelet, is telling us a bit more of the sensory challenges she and others have. A reminder that ASD is a spectrum, and not all autistic child have the same challenges, behaviour, responses, interests, ... it is impossible to represent each and every individual on the spectrum in a poster, but this one poster can give a general idea of what could be the sensory challenges of one or more individual on the spectrum.

Let us cover some of the sensory challenges starting with the 5 senses, and extending it to others such as vestibular, proprioception or interoception.

Sight - Sensory difference with vision

Some might seek experiences to boost visual input. Fascinated by patterns, movement, colours, light sources... And for some, small visual details unnoticed by others, results in meltdowns triggered by bright/flickering lights, optical illusions, .. Others might have difficulty to use or keep eye contact.

Hearing - Auditory sensitivity

Sounds/pitches that do not affect others. Some might feel uncomfortable or be triggered by intense, intermittent, pounding, sudden noises. Certain frequencies can be heard and/or felt when others do not. Some might have difficulty processing, understanding, filtering sounds, or voice tone and/or emphasis. While others seek extreme volumes.

Smell - sensitivity to smell

Hypersensitive to smells that are strong, intense, foul, unfamiliar. A heightened olfactory system, detecting and/or reacting to scents unnoticeable by others. While others seek out strong smells and/or are drawn to certain aromas fragrances.

Taste - Atypical gustatory response

Some tolerate limited food/drinks flavour, odour, colour, texture, appearance, temperature, ... While others seek stronger taste, or eat non-food items.

Touch - Tactile challenges

Some avoid tactile experiences; certain food texture, haircuts, brush hair, sensitive skin, hate getting messy, others’ touch unpleasant. Others Seek out tactile stimuli; look to experience different textures, and physical touch. Some might have high pain threshold.

Proprioception - Body Awareness

Some seek out more sensory input such as deep pressure, stomping, tiptoe, weighted objects, ... Others have difficulty regulating pressure misjudging personal space appearing clumsy.

Vestibular - Balance

Some have difficulty integrating movement, gravity, balance, space information, or have a debilitating response to motion. While others seek experiences to boost body movement, might appear as hyperactivity, a desire to be on the move.

Interoception - Internal body states

Trouble to “feel” own emotions, and/or identify sensations. Difficulty detecting bodily signals. Emotional processing difficulties. Increased anxiety. Atypical empathy. Difficulty accessing perspective-taking.

Synaesthesia - Overlapping in perceptual and sensory domains

Synaesthesia can occur in autistic people, but considered to be rare.