Autism sensory issues

[BlackeyedSusan]

So many ask about sensory issues that I thought I'd start this so we can give examples for those who might need it for diagnosis.

One can be hyper sensitive (avoiding) or the opposite, hypo sensitive. (Seeking)

Remember proprioception (where your body is in space)
Vestibular (balance)
Interoception (hunger, thirst, bladder ?)

Start with the easy ones: noise sensitivity:
Hand dryers are the classic.
Can't tune out background noise.
Can't concentrate on listening to your family if the TV is on. (Ex puts his fingers in his ears)

Noisy environments make me cross.
Eating noises make me feel murderous.
Cutlery noises on plates hurt my ears.
I feel like I can't hear (auditory processing) because I can't process what people say.
I can hear light switches, the cooker hob and light bulbs buzzing.
Ex hears clocks ticking and it drives him mad.

Tactile sensitivity

I can feel earwax in my ears, the slightest bit of dirt/grease on my hands I have to wash them, I can feel dirt under my fingernails. Constantly pick at my face/scalp/lips because I can feel a tiny shred of dry skin. Can't stand the feeling of make up, even lip balm.

Clothing labels feel like needles. Bras feel like a corset. Won't wear skinny jeans.

Actual needles (injection) feels horrendously painful and will get after pains for months. Nobody believes me on this! Actually I think it's partly psychosomatic - I deliberately got my covid jab in right arm because I sleep on my left, but it was my left arm which kept hurting afterwards. My upper arms seem especially sensitive, if someone pokes me or punches me there (toddler strength punch) it is genuinely painful!

Can't deal with much of a range in temperature. I overheat constantly in summer and freeze painfully in winter. Nobody else seems to have these reactions. I see other people on a scorchingly, vomitously hot bus who look totally calm and comfortable, or people outside on days that I want to cry with cold and they also look fine. This saps so much of my energy for at least 40% of the year if not half of it. Wind in general I really struggle with and try to stay inside as much as I can.

There is a great book "Too Loud Too Bright Too Fast Too Tight" which explains a lot.

My upper arms are incredibly touch sensitive too!

Food textures. Even a tiny change in texture on a food item that's normally fine can put me off it forever.

Tactile sensitivity:(hypersensitivity)
Light touch is uncomfortable. Firm pressure preferred.
Don't touch my face.
Hate having my hair cut.
Seams in clothing and bra strap labels irritate.
Sometimes clothes are uncomfortable and I need to take trousers off and give my skin a rest..
Often take socks off and go barefoot around the house.
DC wears only short sleeve shirt for school.
Some kids don't tuck in school shirt.
Feel sick on the roundabout Inthe park after only 1.5 rotations
Can't wear wool

hypo sensitive to touch. (Sensory seeking.)
Leans on you, other kids in school.
Squeezes too tight.,
Kisses too hard .
Needs to spin, swirl, go round in circles, roundabouts and swings (DD puts hand on washing line pile and walks round in circles. I used to do this in school also on a pole.
Likes jumping off things.
Chews on clothing or pen lids or eats wooden rulers (classmate) (stress response too)
Likes to stretch muscle (and joints)

Licks glass as a kid.

Rubs face /fingers on material.
Finds rubbing smooth surfaces comforting.