In a further instalment of their campaign to highlight the traits of autism, Autism Unlimited are featuring real-life stories on sensory sensitivities.
Their “My autistic self” campaign seeks to educate others about how autistic traits and behaviours can impact an individual’s life.
Autistic people may use different ways of communicating and behaviour to be understood and reduce their anxiety. These differences can make them stand out.
Here’s Georgia’s story about how sensory sensitivities relating to different foods and materials can create challenges for her in everyday situations.
Sensitivity with food
Georgia’s biggest sensitivity is with food, which attracts judgement from others. This usually involves being sensitive to how foods smell, taste and feel and can make it difficult to cope with certain textures and flavours.
She said: “I’m very much labelled as a fussy eater. I quite like bland food and I don’t like a lot of flavours and textures and things like that.”
When going out to eat, it is always a struggle. People do not understand why it takes so long for her to decide what to eat and insist that she tries something new.
She continued: “People kind of like judge you, ‘Oh, you’re so fussy. Why don’t you just try it? It’s not going to kill you.’”
If she subsequently decides not to eat anything and grab something afterwards, it is seen as socially unacceptable, further adding to her anxiety.
Clothing issues
Clothing also evokes sensory issues for Georga. Itchy and scratchy sensations from the clothing materials, labels or seams can cause discomfort and distress.
Georgia told us: “Some days I can wear clothes and it’s fine. And then other days all I can feel is the label on one of my clothes, but it’s like I have worn this top for weeks beforehand, but I’m just having a bad day and all of a sudden, all I can feel is the label or the seams in my top.”
To manage these issues, she turns to fidget toys and stimming to keep her hands occupied and distracted from the itching. Placing an ice pack on areas of discomfort usually brings the best sense of relief.
She added: “I’ve got, like, hundreds of ice packs at home for different body parts. Ice is probably something I use the most to stop itching on my skin when something feels scratchy.”
Consider their perspective
When you experience someone taking their time over food choices or looking uncomfortable in their clothes, try to withhold judgement and consider their perspective.
Each person is unique and experiences the world differently. By learning about sensory differences, we can increase our understanding and find ways to show support.
