Does anyone here sensory seek?

[ofwarren]

I am adverse to sounds and I don't like certain clothes and smells but in other ways I sensory seek lot.
I'm a sniffer, I smell EVERYTHING. Clothes, animals, myself... everything I hold to be honest.

Taste wise, I hugely sensory seek. There are hardly any foods I dislike and I love mixing different flavours and textures on my tongue.

I love pressure. I permanently wear leggings or tights for the compression and I love my weighted blanket.

Anyone else?

Interesting, OP - I find the same. Sound can cause me real distress, but I very much seek touch, taste and smell. I love pressure when hugging my partner, but weighted blankets strangely make me panic!

Constantly. I have made myself really ill before by compulsively eating salt. I also crunch ice to calm myself down, have a skin-picking disorder, stick my head out of an open window in cars (I love the way it literally sucks the breath out of my lungs and drowns everything else out), play music at deafening volume through headphones when out walking, and DH buys me kinetic sand to play with. My autistic son also has kinetic sand now and finds it really soothing.

I don't have a diagnosis though (my GP said there was no pathway for adults in my area and I should forget about it) so I'm not welcome here, as was made clear on the other thread

@sadpapercourtesan

Constantly. I have made myself really ill before by compulsively eating salt. I also crunch ice to calm myself down, have a skin-picking disorder, stick my head out of an open window in cars (I love the way it literally sucks the breath out of my lungs and drowns everything else out), play music at deafening volume through headphones when out walking, and DH buys me kinetic sand to play with. My autistic son also has kinetic sand now and finds it really soothing.

I don't have a diagnosis though (my GP said there was no pathway for adults in my area and I should forget about it) so I'm not welcome here, as was made clear on the other thread

You are definitely welcome here! You are obviously ND and it's not your fault there is no pathway in your area. Private diagnosis is closed off for many too because it's thousands of pounds

Thank you @ofwarren! I read the thread asking for this board with excitement, and was crestfallen to see sneery posts about the self-diagnosed and "listicle autism". Private diagnosis definitely beyond our means.

Yup. I’ve worked with children who have Autism for my entire career and I’m a huge advocate of sensory activities to help children to regulate, particularly proprioception but I’ve only recently started applying it to myself!

My weighted blanket makes a huge difference. I need to be under it for at least half an hour before I can go to sleep. I also prefer tight clothes (I recommend Fabletics leggings) and have recently discovered that body warmers provide that squeezed in feeling without being too warm. You can also get away with wearing them indoors. I also like the feeling of putting my hot water bottle on my stomach and feeling the weight of it on the sofa in the evenings.

I have one of those small poppit toys with just 2 big poppers that helps to calm me. When we went Christmas shopping, I got majorly overwhelmed because it was so busy and I found my poppit in my pocket. I popped it subtly in my hand while we walked around and it helped massively.

I constantly chew the sides of my mouth, which is not a good habit. I’m considering a proper chewing toy for when I’m on my own.

I also walk on my toes and have to remember not to do that in public too.

I find walking and running helps my proprioceptive needs.

Well now I know why I smell things too. I just thought it was me being weird. I am very sensitive to smell smd sound and light. Sound is awful unless it's sound of my choosing. Polystyrene 😱 some visual things unsettle me too. Skin on custard, rice pudding, gravy. Seeds and the jelly bit of tomatoes. Makes me heave. Can someone tell me more about the proprioception needs please? I walk everywhere and don't really do still of mind or body. Is that what you mean?

Yes, me. I read that too fast too bright book a while ago which made me think of it. Pressure is very important and I like to rub my fingers on things, it's a form of stimming I suppose?

One annoying thing is that when I sleep I fold my hands right over at the wrists like cat paws and I tuck them under my chin. The older I get this is really starting to annoy my joints and I have to make myself not do it.

I'm not diagnosed but I know I am ND. Definitley ADHD (the self tests scores were right up at the top of the scale) and although some autistic traits, when I did the online assessment I scored about 19 (17 being the threshold IIRC). Obviously the tests are guidelines and I'm in the process of being assessed officially, just need my gp to put their bum into gear.

Anyway. I love soft things, I have a cushion that I stroke repetitively. I suck my thumb and rub the flat of my other thumb nail over my top lip. I rub my ear and click my throat over and over again. I've done this as long as I can remember.

I'm always tapping my foot, I drive myself crazy with it.

I love crunchy food, not bothered about the taste I want the crunch.

I am obsessed with fizzy drinks, so much so that I bought a soda stream and then realised its the actual lovely fizz sensation that I'm addicted to! Again, this goes back to childhood (am 43 now!)

I am very sensitive to smell, I love a nice smell - adore Lush shops but get really offended by unpleasant smells. It makes me rage inside.

Sunshine. I get so angry with the sun when it's in the wrong place (if I'm driving for example and it's impairing my vision!)

I am instantly soothed by rain. I love the rain. I hate the heat, I hate being sweaty.

I have to have socks on in the house, can't wear shoes indoors it feels wrong (don't care if other people wear their shoes indoors)

I also sleep with the window open right next to my head, and my absolute favourite thing is when it rains on my face while I'm lying there

DH is very tolerant

@BertieBotts

Yes, me. I read that too fast too bright book a while ago which made me think of it. Pressure is very important and I like to rub my fingers on things, it's a form of stimming I suppose?

One annoying thing is that when I sleep I fold my hands right over at the wrists like cat paws and I tuck them under my chin. The older I get this is really starting to annoy my joints and I have to make myself not do it.

Omg, I do the wrist thing!!! Mine are also sore from doing it for years. I don't even know I do it though. I've also got TMJ from constant teeth clenching. I'm considering a chew toy or some other oral stim, to see if it stops me doing it.

Gosh, I hadn't even clocked that it was unusual but I also have to have windows open and love that feeling of fresh air on my face when I'm in bed.

I don't do it any more but as a child I used to spin all the time. I really need to try it as an adult
I was also obsessed with kaleidoscopes and snow globes and would watch the TV upside down or through a mirror.

@ofwarren spinning is not good for your proprioceptive needs, spinning makes you feel more worked up. Linear movement such as swinging is more calming.

@AutisticLegoLover proprioception is your sense of movement and your body in space. It’s your calming/ regulating sense and you can’t have too much of it. Things like deep pressure (tight hugs, clothing, weighted blankets etc), linear movements and heavy lifting all involve proprioception. That’s why I find running regulating as it moves my muscles (and the hormones that you get as well). It’s worth looking into properly as it is really important for regulation.

I love the swings! The whole rhythm and movement of it is soothing. I got laughed at, but not unkindly, at college on the first day as it was opposite the park and rather than join the others for lunch I went to play on the swings. Walking is my go to when stressed but I walk miles anyway because I don't drive. If I haven't walked properly for a few days due to illness or when we had to isolate then I felt very off kilter.
Singing-I like the way my mouth feels when I sing certain lines of songs. I seek music a lot but it has to be of my choice and a good sing along sorts of any mood issues. I fiddle with things like the zip pulls on my bag. I rib my foot against the sofa and can't seem to sit without doing that.

I love pretty, sparkly lights. I'm fascinated by them. I love looking at crystals and chandeliers etc.

I love soft, fluffy fabrics and balls of wool. I like to rub fluffy things and feathers against my nose and lips.

I like gooey play putty and kinetic sand.

[quote EinsteinVonBrainstorm]@ofwarren spinning is not good for your proprioceptive needs, spinning makes you feel more worked up. Linear movement such as swinging is more calming.[/quote]
Oh interesting. I do like swinging too, I haven't done that for ages either though.

I have a swinging chair in the gazebo 😄

@BertieBotts

Yes, me. I read that too fast too bright book a while ago which made me think of it. Pressure is very important and I like to rub my fingers on things, it's a form of stimming I suppose?

One annoying thing is that when I sleep I fold my hands right over at the wrists like cat paws and I tuck them under my chin. The older I get this is really starting to annoy my joints and I have to make myself not do it.

You might have already tried all of these things but feedback from a weighted blanket or one of those stretchy lycra body socks (you can also get them for the bed) may be useful. Also getting enough exercise in the day. My son has SPD and we are trying all these things with the help of an OT.

@BarrowInFurnessRailwayStation

I have a swinging chair in the gazebo 😄

😍 So jealous!

I will get a weighted blanket, I'm waiting for my youngest to stop cosleeping.

Spinning is AWFUL as an adult :( I used to love it but it makes me feel incredibly sick now.

I don't like very tight fitting clothes that restrict my movement. They need to be loose. Something tight around my waist is nice because it doesn't stop movement. But I've put weight on with my last baby and now the sleeves in all my clothes are too tight (who knew that was a thing?) and I can't stand it.

I do have a spinny chair though, I go side to side on it, not all the way around. I tend to want my feet (one or both) up on a chair, sitting on a chair the normal person way is completely uncomfortable I literally don't understand why chairs would be designed like that? I have an Ikea Skruvsta and absolutely love it. Most comfortable chair ever. I have just replaced it after 6 years because my old one was absolutely trashed!

@AutisticLegoLover may I join you on the swings (and the slide and the roundabout - having small children was such fun) - I will also eat the skin off the top of any custard or rice pudding, I'm the only adult I know that likes it.

I would really like one of those swinging garden chairs, but my hints over the years have come to naught

Does anyone else like their showers or baths super hot? I don't know why but the extreme heat of water against my skin is blissful even in summer.

@BertieBotts

I do have a spinny chair though, I go side to side on it, not all the way around. I tend to want my feet (one or both) up on a chair, sitting on a chair the normal person way is completely uncomfortable I literally don't understand why chairs would be designed like that? I have an Ikea Skruvsta and absolutely love it. Most comfortable chair ever. I have just replaced it after 6 years because my old one was absolutely trashed!

Im the same on chairs. Both feet up tucked under me and I lean to the left. I'm not comfortable with my legs down in the normal position.