![]() ![]() However, existing research has provided much less insight into experiences of sensory hyporeactivity and seeking. This can create a vicious cycle, where sensory hyperreactivity creates stress, which amplifies sensory hyperreactivity, leading to more stress (Smith & Sharp, 2013). Additionally, sensory hyperreactivity can result in autistic adults feeling overwhelmed, and this can be exacerbated when experiencing heightened stress and depleted energy levels (Chamak et al., 2008 Robertson & Simmons, 2015 Smith & Sharp, 2013). Previous qualitative findings have shown that autistic adults experience sensory hyperreactivity across multiple domains, such as finding sounds too loud and painful, becoming distracted by nearby conversations, as well as having aversions to competing sounds, bright colours, bright or flickering lights, light touch, clothing, overpowering scents, and food tastes and textures (Chamak et al., 2008 Jones et al., 2003 Robertson & Simmons, 2015). Thus, understanding the complexities of sensory experiences has important implications for autistic people’s physical and mental wellness, social inclusion, and future prospects. It is therefore unsurprising that difficulty with sensory input has been suggested to be a barrier for autistic adults engaging in spaces, both public and occupational (Amos et al., 2019). Sensory experiences can be complex and although some sensory experiences can be enjoyable for individuals, other experiences can be very distressing, impacting on quality of life and correlating with mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression (Carpenter et al., 2018 Elwin et al., 2012 Forsyth & Trevarrow, 2018 Green et al., 2012 Hwang, 2019 MacLennan et al., 2020, 2021 Rossow et al., 2021). Individuals who are sensory seeking often engage with sensory input repeatedly and/or for sustained periods of time, and it may be a stimulatory or regulatory strategy associated with RRBs, sensory hyperreactivity and/or hyporeactivity (Lidstone et al., 2014 Pellicano et al., 2013 Schulz & Stevenson, 2019). Individuals who are sensory hyporeactive often have a delayed response, or may not notice, sensory input, and it may be experienced by individuals after periods of hyperreactivity (Lane, 2002 Liss et al., 2006). Individuals who are sensory hyperreactive often experience sensory input more intensely compared to others, and may find it painful, dysregulating, or overwhelming (Lane, 2002). Sensory reactivity differences can occur across multiple sensory domains, such as vision or touch, and are characterised by hyperreactivity, hyporeactivity, and sensory seeking (DSM-5 American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Sensory reactivity differences, a sub-criterion under RRBs, are suggested to be present in up to 94% of autistic adults Footnote 1 (Crane et al., 2009). ![]() ![]() Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC) are neurodevelopmental conditions typically characterised by social communication differences, and restricted and repetitive interests and/or behaviours (RRBs) (DSM-5 American Psychiatric Association, 2013). ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |