Autism encompasses, many people will know, a spectrum of symptoms that relate to differences in social communication and interaction and repetitive behaviors. Did you know that many autistic people are also unusually sensitive to certain sensory stimuli, while being under-sensitive to others?
If you didn't, you may like head over to YouTube and watch a video called "Autism TMI virtual reality experience", produced by the UK's National Autistic Society, to get a small glimpse into what this can be like. The video portrays how a simple trip to the mall can become a nightmare to an autistic person — with bright, flashing lights, disgustingly loud bodily noises, the tick-tocking of heels, scrunching plastic wrappers, and coins falling to the floor rapidly closing in. And because it's a video, it can't even cover what smells and touches might to to a person on the spectrum.
Examples of things that may really bother autistic people include:
- Certain textures found in clothing
- Sudden and unexpected high-pitched sounds
- The smell of perfumes
- Fluorescent lights
- Many people all having different conversations
- Waving flags
- Light touch — often while enjoying firmer touch
- A tree branch ticking against a window
These stimuli can, research shows:
- Be greatly amplified
- Alter the way a person on the spectrum actually sees things in their environment
- Lead to sensory "black-outs", in which they can't hear or see certain things because other stimuli are blocking them out
- Cause physical pain
- Cause great anxiety
And we wonder why autistic people sometimes have public meltdowns? Maybe not any more.
1. At work, school, and home: Making changes to the environment
While making the kinds of changes that will make any individual autistic person more comfortable will be most effective if you can communicate with them — ask them what does and doesn't bother them — making an environment more autism-friendly in general can include:
- Reducing bright fluorescent lighting, especially involving flashing
- Providing noise-canceling headphones or sunglasses
- Keeping doors and windows closed to reduce the sounds coming in from outside
- Instituting a no-perfume or scented products policy, and not using air fresheners
- Reducing environmental noise from things like printers, coffee makers, and boilers
- Creating a quiet room free of sensory overstimulation that autistic people can use when they really need a break from sensory overload
If you're only seeking to make changes for one individual — your child, at home, for instance — take your time to learn to understand what stimuli are distracting, upsetting, bothersome, or painful, and see what you can do to make the adjustments the person needs to be comfortable in that space.
2. Understanding stimming and coping behaviors
Research shows something any autistic person could themselves confirm — people on the spectrum develop their own coping mechanisms to better deal with sensory challenges.
This often takes the form of "stimming", or self-stimulatory behavior. Encompassing a broad range of different behaviors, stims may range from rubbing a favorite scarf to repeating a certain phrase again and again, flapping heads, or biting a pen. Stimming can look rather strange to neurotypical people, but is a core feature of autism that has been shown to help reduce stress.
Coping can also take a different form — needing to exit the overstimulating environment or needing the sensory input to stop. Don't be surprised if an autistic person leaves a situation, and don't try to get them to stay in it when they're already on the verge of meltdown. Don't be surprised if they shut their eyes or plug their ears so they don't have to see or hear overwhelming things.
3. Preparing for situations that may cause sensory discomfort: How you can help
Many autistic people report that unfamiliar environments — which feature new sensory stimuli — are especially stressful and overwhelming. If you can, help them prepare for new environments. Maybe your autistic partner and you are going to have dinner with your parents at a new restaurant, for instance. Maybe your autistic friend will be taking a course at a new college. You can "case" the place in advance, so they know what kinds of stimuli lurk there.
This can serve two purposes — familiarity can make an environment more comfortable, but also, coping strategies can be devised ahead of time. For instance, if they know a place features unpleasant noises, earplugs can be brought along. They can also figure out where to go for some relief if things get overwhelming.
4. Knowing what to do if things get too overwhelming and a meltdown occurs
Some autistic people will be comforted if you hug them or talk to them, while those actions make matters worse for others. Some may find comfort in listening to a favorite song, while others need to sit down and stim and cover their ears, or leave the environment. Finding out what helps the person you want to support can make all the difference.
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