Dec 09 2008
Sensory Perception on the Autism Spectrum.
Recently on a discussion board, a therapist brought up some good points about sensory issues. This therapist described how neurological issues could cause certain types of touches to be perceived by those afflicted with a neurological disorder as a need to react protectively. Where normally it would be discriminated and ignored, it can initiate a fight, flight, or fright response; thus, causing the sufferer of autism or other neurological affliction to respond inappropriately to very light touches.
I have experienced in my life times where I was placed on heavy medications. The medications caused my skin to burn or itch and as a result, I began to scrape and scratch my skin causing abrasions. At the time, it was confusing to my caregivers as to why I would participate in such self-abuse. However, I do recall that the scratching actually was comforting and I did not feel pain with the scrapes, but relief from the sensations that were quite painful for me.
To this day, I do not like to be softly caressed or touched. I can react angrily to a stranger or acquaintance that lightly touches or brushes by me. Many times, I find myself explaining to potential friends who make this mistake that I really just do not like to be touched. The truth being that I do not mind a brief tight hug that does not include light rubbing on my back.
For years now, I have faked laughed when my other half has loving stroked my bare feet in a show of affection as I frantically pulled away, in fear that the revelation that it actually pains me to be touched that way would be perceived wrong and his feelings hurt. Settling to compromise by allowing him to lightly stroke my feet if I have very thick socks on, reducing the painful sensation.
Another thing I have noticed is when I brush my hair, if I do not put enough pressure it actually makes my scalp hurt. I quit bleaching my hair because the lasting burning sensation actually caused me to scratch my scalp raw. Who cares, my natural dirty blonde hair with tinges of red is much more beautiful.
Perhaps if those afflicted with this type of sensory issue can understand it, and those who care for those with sensory issues such as this are aware of it, much confusion can be avoided. It is my hope that my continued exploration into my own autism can open up doors far sooner for those on the autism spectrum. The sooner doors such as these are opened, the sooner obstacles are overcome, and real growth can be made.
My experience has been that sensory issues stunt the growth of awareness. This is due to an overload on the resources necessary to make outward perceptions as they are far to busy responding to the inputs that overload those circuits.
The unfortunate thing about this discovery for me is that my coping skill of telling myself to respond differently is not only a lie to my body’s natural response, but a further tax on my resources to perceive my environment.
What have I missed in life while trying to behave like others?
My ex-husband, my fiance and two of my best friends have Aspergers. I don’t know why I am so highly attracted to them all, but I am. My fiance and one of my friends both have synesthesia..I’m not sure if you know anything about this condition, but it is fascinating. My finance’s case has more to do with smells. My friend’s case has to do with numbers and colors. Whenever he recites a phone number, he does it in colors, because that’s how he sees it in his mind.