Sensory Issues

Differences in the way stimuli are perceived and processed are a nearly universal aspect of Autistic Spectrum Disorders, and as such do not usually get diagnosed separately. If it were given a separate diagnosis, the most likely would be "Sensory Integration Dysfunction".

It can affect any sense, including proprioception (position of one's body in space), and vestibular (motion and rotation).

A dysfunctional sensory processing system interferes with making sense of sensory input in an accurate and efficient way and can lead to a number of problems and unusual behaviours. These problems are due to a neurological disorder and neither the perceptions, nor the responses to them, are within the person's control.

Sensory Processing Problems Cause...

Sensory Overload

Sudden change or too much stimulation can cause me to become confused, unable to process, overwhelmed, and extremely irritable. This sometimes, but not always, leads to a full autistic shutdown (see 8g). Although I can still talk when overloaded, I have difficulty expressing myself or responding appropriately to others. Overload can happen in many ordinary situations.

Pain or Distress

Hypersensitivities especially can cause pain or distress similar to that experienced by most people from much stronger stimuli. Hypersensitivities can cause me real pain and distress from things most people would not find distressing or even notice. Although everyone has things they do not like to touch or listen to, my brain's processing of these things is much more extreme.

Aversion

Aversion could be a result of pain caused by the stimulus, or it could be an intense revulsion which is not due to pain, and not necessarily even a result of hypersensitivity, but no more tolerable. I have specific sensitivities to some sensations which do not cause pain, but do cause severe discomfort. Some of these stimuli I find completely intolerable, while others can be tolerated for a period, but may lead to sensory overload.

Stimulation Seeking

Some people seek out sensory experiences, often if they are hyposensitive in that sense.

Problems Responding to Stimuli

People with sensory issues may have delayed reactions because they didn't perceive a stimulus at all, or couldn't interpret it correctly. They also could be overloaded by the stimulus and unable to respond to it.

Functional Problems as a Result of Sensory Issues

Eating Problems

Hyposensitivity. May not notice hunger pangs until extremely hungry, then not noticing full feelings until uncomfortably stuffed. This can lead to a binge-starve cycle similar to eating disorders, but with a very different cause.

Aversions to certain foods. Some autistic people live on a very limited diet due to texture, taste, or smell sensitivities. Limited diet can also be due to rigidity or a combination of factors.

Sleeping Problems

Hypersensitivity can make it very difficult to get comfortable. Hyposensitivity can mean someone doesn't notice when they're tired.

Problems Going Out

Hyposensitive people may not dress appropriately for the weather. Most kinds of sensitivities interfere with navigation, staying on task, coping with stimuli, avoiding danger, and moving through crowds effectively. Because of my difficulties processing and interpreting information from my senses, I have many difficulties similar to someone with a visual or hearing impairment. Lack of awareness of my own body and its position in space leads to frequent stumbles, falls, and collisions with objects and other people. This is more difficult in unfamiliar places and extremely difficult in crowds. I have problems estimating the speed and acceleration of objects (such as cars) or people, and can't predict where they are going to move next. I also have difficulty locating the source of sounds.

Behaviour

Self-stimulating behaviours are needed to help me regulate my neurological system and are a typical aspect of autism. Although I sometimes engage in these behaviours because I enjoy them or find them soothing, they also help me cope with too much input or strong emotion. My self-stims include: Running, jumping, flapping my hands, spinning objects, rocking, and making odd noises. Self-harm can also be a form of self-stimulating behaviour. Self-harm is most likely to be provoked by severe stress.

Injury

May not notice pain (e.g. from touching something hot) until significant harm has occured. May self-harm in order to experience the sensation or because perception of pain is insufficient to stop the behaviour. May be kind of 'spaced out' and not perceive danger. May process too slowly to respond to danger. May not know where things are in relation to self, causing stumbles, falls, running into things, and traffic risk.