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Thank you to the autistic people who voted. It asked if sensory overload was a possible reason for needing life to be predictable.
After crunching numbers to take out 'just show results', only about 6 out of every 100 autistic voters said no.
Thread/
After crunching numbers to take out 'just show results', only about 6 out of every 100 autistic voters said no.
Thread/
There are too many research papers that say,
"Autistic people have restricted and repetitive behaviour ("RRB") that serves no purpose at all. We must show them the Proper Way to behave. Their RRB isn't connected to sensory need." (Paraphrased).
Isn't it?/
"Autistic people have restricted and repetitive behaviour ("RRB") that serves no purpose at all. We must show them the Proper Way to behave. Their RRB isn't connected to sensory need." (Paraphrased).
Isn't it?/
How do we explain the poll result?
The comments on the original thread are useful also. Here is it. https://twitter.com/AnnMemmott/status/1380415571385278465
The comments on the original thread are useful also. Here is it. https://twitter.com/AnnMemmott/status/1380415571385278465
So what's going on here?
I'll try to explain, using me as one example of a fairly common reason.
First, watch this two minute video, with the sound turned as high as you can safely manage. https://vimeo.com/52193530
That's the sensory experience of quite a number of us/
I'll try to explain, using me as one example of a fairly common reason.
First, watch this two minute video, with the sound turned as high as you can safely manage. https://vimeo.com/52193530
That's the sensory experience of quite a number of us/
Deafening sound.
Blinding flickering lighting.
Overpowering stench.
Painful clothing and texture.
We do all in our power to avoid the overload.
We try to avoid places and situations that add to it.
Other people are their own 'sensory overload, also/
Blinding flickering lighting.
Overpowering stench.
Painful clothing and texture.
We do all in our power to avoid the overload.
We try to avoid places and situations that add to it.
Other people are their own 'sensory overload, also/
Endless social signalling, chatter, perfumes, aftershaves, toothpaste, hair lotion fragrances, eyebrow raisings, arm wavings, eye contact that feels like someone turning on a blinding torch.
Add that to the background sensory hell.
We are soon overwhelmed/
Add that to the background sensory hell.
We are soon overwhelmed/
And so we need to predict what's ahead.
How much of that do we have to endure before our brain says 'nope, I'm done'.
Our repetitive movement, sound, careful scheduling etc is about ensuring we stay at optimum 'brain temperature'.
It's not meaningless.
It's vital for thriving.
How much of that do we have to endure before our brain says 'nope, I'm done'.
Our repetitive movement, sound, careful scheduling etc is about ensuring we stay at optimum 'brain temperature'.
It's not meaningless.
It's vital for thriving.
When our teams visit buildings, we work out what sort of 'sensory load' there is.
We assess lighting and sound, texture and pattern. Smells and signage. We're looking for areas that are easier, things that can be easily altered.
We're recommending headphones, sunglasses/
We assess lighting and sound, texture and pattern. Smells and signage. We're looking for areas that are easier, things that can be easily altered.
We're recommending headphones, sunglasses/
...quieter areas in which to eat, and sleep.
Better bedding so that people get some rest instead of being awake half the night.
Quieter flooring and better soundproofing.
Acoustic glass and 'silent alert' alarms instead of ones that scream through a whole building, randomly/
Better bedding so that people get some rest instead of being awake half the night.
Quieter flooring and better soundproofing.
Acoustic glass and 'silent alert' alarms instead of ones that scream through a whole building, randomly/
And it makes a difference.
Not just for the autistic people.
For everyone.
Everyone can relax more.
Everyone can recover more.
Everyone can begin to thrive.
Just stopping RRBs isn't any part of thriving, at all.
Not just for the autistic people.
For everyone.
Everyone can relax more.
Everyone can recover more.
Everyone can begin to thrive.
Just stopping RRBs isn't any part of thriving, at all.
