In Our Own Words: The Complex Sensory Experiences of Autistic Adults

K. MacLennan,S. O’Brien,T. Tavassoli

doi:10.1007/s10803-021-05186-3

K. MacLennan, S. O’Brien + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-021-05186-3

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Abstract

Autistic adults commonly experience sensory reactivity differences. Sensory hyperreactivity is frequently researched, whilst hyporeactivity and seeking, and experiences across domains, e.g., vision, are often neglected. Therefore, we aimed to understand more about the sensory experiences of autistic adults. We conducted a mixed-methods study, co-produced with stakeholders; recruiting 49 autistic adults who completed an online survey. Firstly, quantitative results and content analysis enhanced our understanding of sensory input/contexts associated with sensory hyperreactivity, hyporeactivity, and seeking across modalities. Secondly, thematic analysis developed themes relating to ‘Outcomes’, ‘Control’, ‘Tolerance and management’, and ‘The role of other people’, informing a theoretical model of sensory reactivity differences in autistic adults. These findings have implications for support services and improving quality of life for autistic adults.

Highlights

Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC) are neurodevelopmental conditions typically characterised by social communication differences, and restricted and repetitive interests and/or behaviours (RRBs) (DSM-5 American Psychiatric Association, 2013)
Responses to the multiple-choice questions found that 93.9% percent of the autistic adults identified as experiencing sensory hyperreactivity, 28.6% identified as experiencing sensory hyporeactivity, and 41.4% identified as experiencing sensory seeking (Fig. 2; see Table 2 for sensory input/ contexts associated with sensory reactivity differences in each modality)
Our results provide a greater understanding of autistic adults’ sensory experiences, a relatively under-researched area, and is the first known to understand sensory experiences related to all areas of sensory reactivity differences, including sensory hyperreactivity, hyporeactivity and seeking

Summary

Introduction

Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC) are neurodevelopmental conditions typically characterised by social communication differences, and restricted and repetitive interests and/or behaviours (RRBs) (DSM-5 American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Sensory reactivity differences can occur across multiple sensory domains, such as vision or touch, and are characterised by hyperreactivity, hyporeactivity, and sensory seeking (DSM-5 American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Individuals who are sensory hyporeactive often have a delayed response, or may not notice, sensory input, and it may be experienced by individuals after periods of hyperreactivity (Lane, 2002; Liss et al, 2006). Individuals who are sensory seeking often engage with sensory input repeatedly and/or for sustained periods of time, and it may be a stimulatory or regulatory strategy associated with RRBs, sensory hyperreactivity and/or hyporeactivity (Lidstone et al, 2014; Pellicano et al, 2013; Schulz & Stevenson, 2019).

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