Autism and the Sensory Experience

People with autism often have hypersensitivity and hyposensitivity when it comes to different stimuli considered part of the sensory experience: sight, sound, taste, touch and smell.

Hypersensitivity is when an individual is intensely aware of specific stimuli. For example, a child with hypersensitive hearing is likely to react more than others to sharp changes in volume or rhythm. Hyposensitivity, on the other hand, is when a person is less reactive relative to others when certain stimuli are present. A child with especially hyposensitive hearing might hardly notice sharp changes in volume or rhythm.

It’s debated how many senses there are, but autism commonly affects the five basic senses (sight, hearing, taste, touch, smell) as well as the vestibular system (our sense of balance), proprioception (our sense of where our body parts are) and our sense of pain. It is important to note that autism affects different people in different ways; the way it affects senses is no exception. So while one person with autism might be hypersensitive with regard to hearing and hyposensitive to sight, another child might have the complete opposite experience. This means when we highlight some common sensory friendly items, it may not go for everyone and parents should observe closely to determine what’s best for their child. Most frequently, sensory friendly items and experiences for a specific person are those that stimulate their senses to a moderate level, avoiding hyper- or hypo-sensitivity as much as possible.

What Are Sensory Friendly Activities/Items?

Children with autism are often drawn to certain toys, clothing, food and environments to draw out certain types of sensory experiences. Their experiences are maximized when the stimulation of their senses is not too extreme or abrupt. Many products are branded as sensory-friendly and are designed for children with autism. While there is nothing wrong with this, many items already in your home will fill the same role.

Here are a few of these items to consider when providing your child with a comfortable and pleasing stimulus:

A soft blanket. Everyone feels the enjoyment of being covered in a soft blanket and children with autism are no exception. Weighted blankets are of special value as they provide additional stimulus. Weighted blankets have been shown to release oxytocin in the brain the same way hugs and cuddling does. While many children with autism react negatively to being held, weighted blankets can cause the release of oxytocin without the strong reaction.
A rocking chair. The gentle rocking of a rocking chair or a slowly-pushed swing helps children with autism by activating their vestibular (balance) system. A rocking chair, or anything that mimics a swinging or back and forth movement , will be an especially enjoyable experience for children who look for this experience.
Pillows and couch cushions. Dismantle the couch and let your child safely jump and flop. At ABA therapy centers, one of our favorite items are our crash pads. These are large bags of foam on which the kids love to jump, roll, and lay. Whatever you use, it’s great fun to group pillows or couch cushions together to produce a safe environment for active play.
Swings and trampolines: while usually not IN the home, trampolines and swings often help even-out disruptions in the inner ear caused by autism. Swinging or bouncing produces the same effect as a rocking chair (mentioned above).
Get creative! Busy hands (playdough), build a pantry band (box of pasta, wooden spoon and a metal pot) can be great fun and provide the stimuli your child is seeking.

Your child will likely let you know one way or another what sensory experiences they enjoy. Perhaps not with their words, but with their actions. The items that lead to crying when they’re taken away or the items that they grab for first are likely the things that give them the experiences they’re looking for. It is important to be aware of hyposensitive cases (cases in which a person’s senses are less sensitive than others). It is possible for people to hurt themselves in an effort to stimulate their senses. These cases are attributed to reduced pain perception and hypo-sensitivity.

What Should I Do With Sensory Experiences My Child Avoids?

Many experiences are not sensory friendly. Instead, they produce the opposite effect. These items and experiences may cause children to be sensory avoidant. When a child is avoiding a certain sensory experience, it is important not to force it upon them and to look for patterns in what they avoid to understand what senses might be hyper- or hypo-sensitive. Creating an environment for sensory avoidant children can be difficult and will require some trial and error, but it’s a worthwhile process that will help your child be happier and healthier.

Resources to consider:
Sensory Seeking vs Avoiding – Lighthouse Autism Center – Lighthouse Autism Center
Understanding sensory regulation in typical and atypical development: The case of sensory seeking – ScienceDirect
Sensory Seeking Behavior: Definition, Causes, What to Do – Cadey