Thread by @commaficionado

Sensory overload is an aspect of #autism that is hard to explain, and by no means standard for all autistic people. I have it, to an extent, so I'll be leading with that, but some people have it to a far greater or lesser extent. Buckle up, its THREAD time again. /1

Firstly, all five main senses can be overstimulated for #autistic people, possibly all at the same time. I'll go through each of them in a moment. As for 'overload', this is a discomfort that can be extreme in response to sensory stimulation. /2

So visual overload is being overwhelmed by the visual detail and colours and shapes around you. In a busy space, like a city centre, the sheer quantity of things jostling for visual attention can be painful to experience,leading to panic, anxiety, migraine or meltdown. /3

The details of every word, letter, image or colour of a scene like the one below can be too much, as it seems the brain struggles to blur out the unimportant details. It's a bit like a computer that can't mipmap (a process that dulls graphical details at a distance) /4

The brain is simultaneously interested and focused on all the details at once, which frankly is a little too much to bear. Imagine what a super-busy classroom with ever changing complex displays must be like... /5

Audio overload is similar - no noise is filtered out. When stressed I find it impossible to ignore sounds, no matter how inconsequential. If they build up, layer on layer, it can become distracting, horrible, painful, terrifying. Chattering classrooms are a grim example /6

I think it's fair to say audio overload can knobble just about anyone who is #autistic, no matter how well they can camouflage or mask it. I have a hunch that fairgrounds, clubs and such aren't popular places... /7

Olfactory overload is something I suffer from. In fact, I have found I spend at least half the time with my nose closed at the back (if you see what I mean - where it meets my throat) just to avoid potential smells that could throw me. /8

Strong perfumes, air freshener, bad smells, petrol, whatever - they can distract to an enormous degree and even cause misery if for whatever reason the smell is disliked. I don't know whether smells are stronger for #autistic people, but they're definitely more distracting. /9

Gustatory overload (taste) is not something I experience, which is great as it means I can eat with impunity, but I know it can cause some #autistic people to have very limited repertoires of food, often mistaken for fussiness or faddiness, because some tastes are dreadful. /10

Tactile overload can be very common, and is usually to do with temperature and clothing. It is very common indeed for an #autistic person to have significant problems with heat, with only a narrow range of temperatures seen as okay. /11

I can't stand temperatures above 22 degrees, for example. Makes holidays a bit risky. /12

The texture of some textile can be off-putting and again cause severe reactions, especially in younger children. Denim, rough cotton, linen and wool can be anathema, causing extreme discomfort and distraction. This can lead to extremely small wardrobes of trusted clothes /13

But these clothes will be loved for their softness and lack of general offensiveness,, so be patient and gentle when they need throwing out after long service! /14

These overloads will come and go, be consistent or erratic, and cause different amounts of consternation. But they are very real and can be very disturbing and miserable. Schools could help a lot with this. /15

From reducing the amount of visual 'noise' on the walls (laminated posters!!) to allowing #autistic students to wear more comfortable clothing, adjustments can be made where necessary, and should be made when necessary. /16 END Please share as appropriate.