What are some of the more common sensory problems that Aspies have?
I don't really appear to have any, despite an "extra-sensitivity" to loud noises, but I don't totally wig out from that.
Anyone?
Usually anything that is considered beyond the norm of what a person should sense. Common ones consist of things like an aversion to bright lights (having to squint alot, or being unable to see sufficiently in bright light), being able to see the flicker of something (e.g. cathode ray tubes, flourescent lights) at an increased rate, being able to hear things that are very quiet, or being able to hear high pitched noises beyond what others can, also sudden loud noises. Extra sensitivity to touch (e.g. disliking the feel of certain fabrics, being touched by people). I think that a light touch causes a more negative reaction than a firm touch. Being able to smell things that others can't (some have stated that their TV's make a funny smell that nobody else can notice) and being able to taste things others can't.
Most of this is usually combined with a reduced ability to filter out sensory input, so it feels like you are experiencing too much at once, which generally causes anxiety, which can lead to a sensory overload. Also it is not uncommon for this hightened sensitivity to cause an extreme reaction in the person experiencing it, sometimes even pain.
Also I forgot to add that certain types of light can cause discomfort, even if somebody cannot see the flickering of a flourescent light they may not feel comfortable under them.
I think also added sensitivity to temperature or pressure could be added.
Personally I have an extra sensitivity to bright lights and the flicker of them as well as feeling uncomfortable under certain types of light, most of which is catagorised by scotopic sensitivity syndrome. I also have a sensitivity to high pitched noises and quiet noises, as well as difficulty filtering noises out sometimes. Sudden loud noises can elicit an extreme reaction in me, such as covering my ears and screaming or intense anxiety for a breif period.
Usually anything that is considered beyond the norm of what a person should sense. Common ones consist of things like an aversion to bright lights (having to squint alot, or being unable to see sufficiently in bright light), being able to see the flicker of something (e.g. cathode ray tubes, flourescent lights) at an increased rate, being able to hear things that are very quiet, or being able to hear high pitched noises beyond what others can, also sudden loud noises. Extra sensitivity to touch (e.g. disliking the feel of certain fabrics, being touched by people). I think that a light touch causes a more negative reaction than a firm touch. Being able to smell things that others can't (some have stated that their TV's make a funny smell that nobody else can notice) and being able to taste things others can't.
Most of this is usually combined with a reduced ability to filter out sensory input, so it feels like you are experiencing too much at once, which generally causes anxiety, which can lead to a sensory overload. Also it is not uncommon for this hightened sensitivity to cause an extreme reaction in the person experiencing it, sometimes even pain.
Believe it or not, it appears that I do have mildly heightened senses, especially to noise. I can pay very good attention to conversations that occur elsewhere, and quite frankly it bothers me, I think someone might be talking about me.
I also very much have the clothing thing, what I wear has to be comfortable and soft enough. I have also worn a few of the same sweatshirts for about 7 or more years now, but not all the time.
I don't have extreme reactions to any of these things, however. But they do bother me. Does that "count," so to speak? I'm not extreme with sensory problems, but I have enhanced sensitivity, in general.
Personally I have an extra sensitivity to bright lights and the flicker of them as well as feeling uncomfortable under certain types of light, most of which is catagorised by scotopic sensitivity syndrome. I also have a sensitivity to high pitched noises and quiet noises, as well as difficulty filtering noises out sometimes. Sudden loud noises can elicit an extreme reaction in me, such as covering my ears and screaming or intense anxiety for a breif period.
I will cover my ears but I have never done the screaming. But yes, that does bother me. Goddamned fire engines.
Yelling, especially toward me, is another serious bother for me. I can't take that on any level. I go ballistic, if it's toward me.
Any of this seem "sensory problematic" along Aspie-ness, or does it seem normal people also are like this?
I don't know how you could "gauge" these things.
I call myself a "Power and Chaos" aspie because I kind of need change, I need change to think or else I get less concentrated. I'd say I seldom get overstimuli, but I under certain periods get understimuli.
I do have sensory issues but I control my response to them until I can change them or avoid them. I guess years of experience. The therapist who diagnosed me thought I really didn't have any. So he was thinking that I might get an diagnosis of PDD-nos instead of Asperger's. I can read some facial expressions but not well.
I dislike bright lights, flickering fluorescent lights, low whistling noises like the wind, itchy clothing, wearing certain types of clothing, noisy places, crowded and noisy places, smokey places, certain chemical smells. I don't throw a tantrum when exposed to these stressors. Is that what the therapist was looking for. I might complain about them if I knew that a change would come about them or try to leave if I could.
Once I worked at this really really noisy place. It was an office beside a machine shop. It was constant bang bang all day. It was only a temp job. I would listen to the radio on ear phones all afternoon. I tolerated it. One person mentioned that some temps left because they couldn't stand the noise. It did bother me but I just tried really hard not to freak over it. Does that mean that I don't have sensory issues or not?
I am sensitive to bright sunlight (not fluorescent lights though). It makes me squint and put my head down because my eyes begin to ache and water. I never wear sunglasses because they get rid of my peripheral vision, which I use a lot. I dislike loud noises as well, and avoid them as much as possible (if someone gets the vacuum I'll leave the room).
My main sensitivity is with taste though. Most things people consider food I consider to be completely disgusting (you can see a fraction of the things I hate in that water drinking thread). A lot of people say I'm the pickiest eater they've ever seen. And I think a lot of people get offended when I refuse to try their foods they've made. I can't help it though... 99.9% of the time when I try something that someone has made (like an hors d'oeuvre or something), I nearly end up throwing up because I can't stand the taste.
Also, I have to get prescription toothpaste with a less intense taste, because store-bought toothpastes make my eyes and nose burn because they are so strong.
Also, I have to get prescription toothpaste with a less intense taste, because store-bought toothpastes make my eyes and nose burn because they are so strong.
You can get some good non-minty ones in most health stores.
I like minty, just not the type of eye-burning minty that most regular toothpastes have. I tried some of those alternative brand ones, but they don't seem to get my teeth as clean as the prescription stuff.
Eye burning minty...
Hah! Makes me remember once when I covered toothpaste under my eyes(don't ask why), and it burnt like **** in my eyes.
I like minty, just not the type of eye-burning minty that most regular toothpastes have. I tried some of those alternative brand ones, but they don't seem to get my teeth as clean as the prescription stuff.
Ah yes makes sense.
regular human tooth paste makes me vomit. Candy mints make me sneeze. Strong cough drops with menthol make me vomit. I have to use children's toothpaste.