Autism Relationship Resources: Building Understanding and Connection for the Relationships

Sensory processing differences–sometimes referred to as sensory processing disorder–can significantly impact emotion regulation, daily functioning and overall well-being. Sensory overload occurs when the nervous system is overwhelmed with more sensory input than it can process, a common experience for autistic adults. Research psychologist, Dr. MacLennan, and her colleagues report that approximately 9 out of every 10  autistic adults in their research experience sensory processing differences. Considering the wide-ranging and profound effects of sensory processing differences, it is crucial to understand the nature of sensory overload, its impact on the nervous system, and strategies for managing sensory differences.

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Sensory overload can present as a physical, cognitive or emotional response because these experiences overlap. For example, sensory overload may look like irritability, anxiety, difficulty concentrating or fatigue. When it becomes too intense, the body may have a fight or flight response, leading to a meltdown or shutdown while your body is trying to protect you from danger. Developing sensory self-care strategies is vital to your well-being and mental health because sensory overload can contribute to anxiety, stress, fatigue and further impact any existing mental health difficulties.

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The senses and their role in sensory processing

While most are familiar with the five senses, visual (sight), auditory (hearing), olfactory (smell), gustatory (taste), and tactile (touch), many are unfamiliar with other senses that play a crucial role in sensory processing. These include the lesser-known vestibular (balance), proprioceptive (position), and interoceptive (internal) senses. These three are particularly significant to autistic people. The vestibular system is in the inner ear, and it helps with balance by sensing the orientation of your head in space. It can be activated through sensory input such as rocking or spinning. Proprioception is our innate sense of our body’s position in space. It’s activated by anything that creates pressure on the joints, such as carrying heavy objects, pushing or pulling. Interoception refers to our internal body sensations such as hunger, thirst or needing to use the bathroom. Individuals with hyposensitivity to interoception may struggle to access these internal cues. These lesser-known senses are incredibly important in sensory processing and nervous system regulation.

Autism and ADHD are considered neurodevelopmental disorders, meaning they both affect the development of the nervous system and brain. ADHD and autism are distinct diagnoses that share some features, but each has distinct traits. Both autistic individuals and ADHDers are considered neurodivergent. This is a non-medical umbrella term for people with neurodevelopmental disabilities. It’s used to describe individuals whose brains work differently than what is expected for their age group.

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ADHD and autism can look similar. While the two conditions do share many traits and commonly co-occur, they are differentiated by a number of distinct features. Understanding these differences can equip neurodivergent people with more language to describe their experiences, helping them access resources, diagnoses and tailored support. This knowledge can also empower educators, employers, healthcare providers and other community members to introduce more supportive and inclusive practices for neurodivergent individuals.

Stimming, shorthand for self-stimulatory behavior, is a set of self-regulating behaviors commonly associated with autism spectrum disorder. Stimming can involve a wide variety of behaviors that stimulate one’s own senses, such as moving the body, playing with objects, or making vocalizations. Stimming, like many autistic behaviors, has been stigmatized, and often regarded as a symptom to be reduced by treatment. However, stimming is a normal, often harmless reality of autistic life, one that helps us regulate our senses and engage with the world more authentically.