Autistic Sensory Overload - A #Thread

As requested by @Kirsty_H220 - a thread on how sensory overload feels for me as an #autistic person. Please note this is based on my experience.

Please share!
/1

In order to make sense of this, I'll use one of my favourite metaphors - that my brain is like a computer's RAM and CPU, and as such can get overwhelmed, causing slow down (like having 20 Google Chrome tabs open). /2

So if I'm in a visually 'busy' environment, like a classroom with loads of displays and posters up, I won't be able to help but 'absorb' what's there. I can't ignore it or disregard it. /3

My brain will *need* to read it all, give it all equal attention, take it all in, at the expense of all other mental processes. So if I'm then asked a question, my brain is already overwhelmed by the visual stimuli. Therefore I'm likely to respond in confusion or annoyance. /4

All this sensory processing is tiring, so irritability increases too - this is true of all sensory overload - so I may appear to be more disagreeable than usual. And remember, this is simply from *existing* in such a room. /5

Sound overload is similar, though with the added complications of volume and pitch. If I'm in a busy coffee shop (like in the olden days) then my brain assigns equal importance to all sounds. Each conversation, the coffee machine's spluttering, the footsteps... /6

I have to actively filter, which is very intensive work, or put headphones on. If I'm already stressed, it all piles on top and pushes me closer to my meltdown threshold. Repetitive and loud noises cause further stress. /7 #autism #thread

Noises that are insistent, like car alarms, baby cries, engine revving, drilling, bass music are like being assaulted and cause significant distress, pretty much immediately. If these sounds can be 'felt' too, like car revving, it's twice as severe. /8 #autism

The only way to resolve this is to shut off as much of the sound as possible and remove any other stressors until the sound ends. Natural prolonged sounds like waves, rain, wjnd do not have this impact and are in fact pleasurable. /9 #autism

Intrusive smells can become absolutely all consuming, to the point it must be identified and removed. I have no issue with most pleasant smells - garlic cooking, ironing, even mild perfume is fine. It's when it's stronger than normal that I struggle, or an unexpected smell. /10

If the smell isn't normal in a situation it is very destructive. I won't be able to think about anything else. This is perhaps the most distracting overload. /11 #autism

Taste is only an issue when eating, of course, and most flavours are OK for me but I know this isn't true for a lot of #autistic people. But those few flavours I can't bear (such as liquorice, coriander) overwhelm a dish with only the most tiny amount. /12

Then there's touch, which can be boiled down to tactile feelings and temperature management. If I have a small tag or imperfection in clothing that scratches or tickles, it will rapidly become the only thing I can think about until removed. Its very serious. /13 #autism

If my clothing is uncomfortable in any way - too small, too rough, too clammy feeling (polyesters) then it *will ruin my day completely*. I chalk this up to most of my worst days before diagnosis. It's a very serious issue. /14 #autism

But if I'm too warm then I basically cease to function. Being overwhelmed by heat is a dreadful feeling. Anything above 20°C for me is too warm and I will need a fan or air conditioning. Productivity falls to probably 20% or so. /15 #autism

So there's a brief rundown of sensory overwhelm. I hope it helps people understand autism a little more. As always, here's a link if you'd like to support my efforts. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/UfTVnRY