How do autistic people experience sensory processing?

A general guide for everyone:

Autistic people often experience sensory differences, which can be a big part of their lives. Their senses may work differently, making things feel intense, overwhelming, or confusing. People may feel either too much or too little from their senses.

Too much sensitivity

Some autistic people are very sensitive to certain things. This means they notice them more strongly than other people. This can happen with any of the senses:

Sound: everyday noises, like a clock ticking or a vacuum cleaner, might seem very loud or upsetting. Sudden noises can cause anxiety or even pain.
Sight: bright lights or flickering ones can hurt their eyes or give them headaches. Some people notice small details more than the whole picture.
Touch: clothes with tags, certain fabrics, or even a gentle touch can feel painful. Some people avoid certain types of clothing or touching others.
Smell: strong smells, like perfume or cleaning products, can be too much.
Taste: some foods might taste too strong or have a texture that feels wrong, causing them to gag or feel sick.
Balance and movement: some people might need to rock, spin, or swing to feel calm.
Body awareness: some may not feel where their body is, making them feel clumsy or needing tight clothes to feel secure.
Mixing senses (synaesthesia): some people might hear music as colours or see numbers as shapes.

Not enough sensitivity

Some autistic people are less sensitive, meaning they might not notice things as much. This can also affect any of the senses:

Sound: they might not hear background noise or respond to quiet speech.
Touch: they might enjoy strong hugs, rough play, or rubbing their hands on certain textures.
Movement and balance: they might need to move a lot to feel comfortable, like swinging or spinning.
Body awareness: they may not feel where their body is and prefer tight clothes to help.

What happens during sensory overload?

When someone gets too much sensory input, it can be overwhelming. This might cause:

Meltdowns: Crying, yelling, or acting out because they feel too much.
Shutdowns: Becoming very quiet, not responding, or “freezing” to cope.

Positive sensory experiences

Not all sensory differences are bad. Some autistic people enjoy certain sensory experiences, such as:

Visual: enjoying bright colours, patterns, or spinning objects.
Auditory: loving music or certain sounds like white noise.
Touch: enjoying textures like soft fabrics or water.

How to support autistic people with sensory differences

Here are some ways to help:

Stimming: movements like rocking or hand-flapping can help them feel better.
Headphones: noise-cancelling headphones can block loud sounds.
Glasses: sunglasses or tinted lenses can help with bright light.
Weighted blankets: these can be calming.
Sensory-friendly spaces: quiet rooms or sensory toys can make them feel safe.
Comfortable clothing: soft fabrics or removing tags can help.
Visual supports: pictures or written instructions can make things clearer.

Everyone’s sensory needs are different. What feels good or bad depends on the person and how they feel that day. It’s important to understand and respect these differences to create a supportive world.