Sensory issues?

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I experience an increased sensitivity to touch, sound, and light.

Touch - I am particularly sensitive to light contact and I can't wear certain fabrics or items of clothing. (when I was young I couldn't wear sneakers) I am extremely ticklish, and hate experiencing physical contact with other people unless I invite it (even grazing shoulders with someone in the hallway can set me off).
Sound - I can hear very well, even at pitches that others can't seem to, yet I become overwhelmed by loud sounds and can't filter out background noise.
Light - I have to wear sunglasses constantly, even on overcast days or sometimes indoors.

What sensory problems do you deal with?

I have lots and lots of sensory issues- too many to think of and list! So, I'll just list my worst.

Tactile (my most severe): Being wet (especially my face), pants with zippers, tight clothes, many types of shoes.
Auditory: Babies crying, sirens, overly loud TV/music.
Visual: Fluorescent lights, bright lights.
Olfactory: Smell of chlorine, cigarette smoke, dogs.
Gustatory: Dislike of many foods/beverages, especially "mixed foods" (i.e., foods with more than one ingredient) and foods with mushy texture (e.g., beans).
Vestibular: Need/craving for motion, spinning, fast speed, amusement park rides; very poor balance.
Proprioceptive: Extreme clumsiness, toe-walking, need to sit on my knees for pressure/comfort.

Certain frequencies of sound can really bother.

Also, this may some odd, however my laptop has seen better days it's an HP a couple years old and probably has a lot
of dust bunnies and pet hair stuck in it, the fan seems to move, yet it gets really hot. One day at the doctors i had burns on my leg
(they didn't exactly look like burns, almost bruiselike yet not purple) and he asked if i had a heating pad.
So it turned out i had been having the laptop on my lap and where it heats on the left side it had been burning my leg through
my clothes. I just never noticed it. So now i have to be careful about it.

If anyone else has a laptop that gets really hot, it makes burns on the body similar to what doctors refer to as a heating pad burn.

I got quite a few also

Touch - I hate being touched by other people, although now that ive grown up i understand to accept a hug etc. I still flinch when i think someone is going to hit/touch me unexpectedly even if they end up not doing it. Extremely ticklish also.

Light - Going outside i used to almost have to close my eyes sometimes from the brightness. I'm so glad i started wearing sunglasses haha.

Textures - Certain foods just make me cringe like thinking of biting into an apple the skin is just.... lol

Sound - I can listen to music loudly, but i think thats because i cant filter out background noise AT ALL.. so i just adapted to turning up the volume on something so i could hear it. I have to watch TV in complete silence the moment someone starts talking even if there behind me in the kitchen the TV sounds just turn into a blur and i have no idea whats being said. I HATE Sirens also. Shooting guns im the one using ear plugs or putting my hands over my ears. And to think i used to work at a dunkin donuts trying to take orders over the intercom hahaha that was a nightmare. If a car was noisy or someone was talking near me id end up asking the person 3 or 4 times what they said until my manager realized maybe order taking wasnt for me.

Chloe33, I have actually had burns on my legs from my laptop as well. I've always been susceptible to heat.

Touch - I don't like it when someone touches me, if I don't expect it or don't know the person well enough, same for hugs. Once, a girl from my class wanted to tip my forehead with her finger, I instinctively pulled back and told her to stop it, the reaction was "What's wrong with you?". I also dislike flat and even surfaces that have a dust-like layer on them, like a blackboard, chalk and similar. Back then I couldn't stand labels in clothing either, but apparently they're more soft now or I learned how to ignore them after many years. Still, I'm very selective concerning clothing (especially trousers) because I can dislike certain materials (prefer rough ones to very fine ones).

Smell - I can smell very well everybody says, my mother is always surprised that I can recognize what kind of food she is making from a distance even if she just began preparing it. The downside is that I hate cigarettes, public toilets, certain deodorants (too strong), smelly people, etc..

Textures and taste - Certain squishy food like mushrooms although I like one special type of mushrooms for a reason. I also dislike something with a slime-like consistency (I once got something natural against heavy caugh that had this consistency. I had to fight the urge to vomit).
I hate jam that you buy in the average discount store, it's way too sweet, not even chocolate is this bad in my opinion. I prefer self-made jam or jam from a farm (one that is not incredibly red).

Sound - I can hear silent noises and frequencies that others don't seem to hear, e.g. when a CRT screen is turned on (whether TV or computer screen), I can hear the noise it makes while others always told me "you're imagining this, I can't hear anything". Pretty sure I'm not imagining that...
I can listen to music that is loud (maybe because then I only hear the music and nothing else) but unexpected changes in sound volume drive me crazy (a reason I dislike sound mixing in modern cinema), I have to cover my ears when there is a siren nearby (I have a certain tolerancy but the German sirens are cruel when they are in a certain radius), crying babies are awful too, not to mention (the in most cases in our living room) too loud TV. Back then I could never understand the announcements on the trainstation, the person was speaking so silently and without any effort (seemed so to me), the sounds of the environment (trains, talking people and so on) were making the announcement useless for me... Even though it's automatised and much better nowadays, it's still troublesome in some situations. I'm considering to buy earplugs.

I have this too to a certain degree, not sure if I should wear sunglasses or not, there is probably not a big need I guess as it's probably not as bad as in your case. I can take it fine on cloudy days. But then again, I often catch myself staring on the ground anyway, usually some metres in front of me, I rarely look to the horizon.
Subtle flickering light is bad though... Can't stand it at all, makes me feel weird, tired.

There is probably more but that's just what came to my mind right away.

Sound: Loud noises make it impossible for me to function. Aside from being the most common source of shutdowns for me (as other forms of overload do not happen to me as often), some noises can effectively shut off my brain for the duration of the noise. This is aside from both the pain the noise causes and the chaotic sense of motion that comes from sharp, loud noises (like a dog barking).

Touch: I hate being touched unexpectedly but I can tolerate hugs. I used to be much more sensitive to touch in childhood and as a teen. Tight clothing does not bother me, but clothing that is too loose - especially shoes and socks - cause a very unpleasant sensation that is not pain but seems to have a lot of the peripheral effects of pain. It's hard to describe, but a good analogy is "it feels like pure hell." I also hate getting messy things on my hands, like food or mud or other liquid or at least malleable substances. I can deal with some things (like buffalo sauce on chicken) to some extent, but most things the thought alone is intolerable.

I also find showers and rain difficult because the water hitting my body feels like multiple pinpricks. A shower is instant overload for me these days. There have been times when I could shower and even enjoyed showers, but given a choice I would much rather take baths. The last time I showered much was about 8-10 years ago, and I was able to use a removable showerhead to keep the water pointed away from me except when I needed to rinse off, which made the shower easier to cope with.

Taste: I hate bitter flavors, and many things that others find edible and even tasty are very bitter for me, such as grapefruit and grapefruit juice, cranberry sauce, beer, and wine.

Texture: Many foods have unpleasant textures that I cannot get past even if they taste good. Lettuce is off and on for me. Sometimes I have no trouble with it and sometimes I just want to spit it out as soon as it's in my mouth. These can change over time, and there are many foods I can eat now that I was unable to eat as a child. And some I will hopefully never have to eat.

Sight: Bright lights can give me migraines if I do not wear my rose-tinted sunglasses. Fluorescent lights cause fatigue, headaches, and anxiety if I do not wear my sunglasses. Brightly colored patterns are distracting and difficult to look at. Sometimes a lot of activity can be too much to watch (like in a video game or action movies).

Smell: Perfume, cologne, cigarette smoke, cleaning supplies, scented candles, and other such are overloading. Some of these are the olfactory equivalent of walking into a brick wall at full speed. I also instinctively stop breathing if I can smell anything, and it is very difficult for me to get enough air if I can't get away from the smell.

Proprioception: Being around people who are moving is overloading, partly because it is hard for me to keep track of where they are, where I am, where they are going, and where I am going at the same time. One reason that tight clothes don't bother me is that they make it easier for me to tell where I am in relation to other things. I also lean on shopping carts to put pressure on my arms to have a better idea. However, this particular issue tends to cause a lot of meltdowns for me, and it's often very difficult for me to remain in some stores long enough to find what I need to purchase it and then pay for it. What I am shopping for can make it better or worse: I have an easier time buying groceries than I do buying clothing, because trying on clothes adds to the overload.

That's all that comes to mind at the moment and I have almost certainly forgotten to include some.

Sensory issues have got to be the worst part for me, the main reason I can't work full time in my skilled area.

Sound-Loud and high pitched and prolonged sounds, Metallic sounds are like nails on chock board. eg. hammering off seased brake drums(why i'm not a mechanic). I use alot of hand tools or this reason and work slow at my own pace. I hate air tools/compessors and avoid them.

I find the sound of a well built race engine soothing but some mod 4 cyl racing classes insist on using very aggressive cams, a raspy exaust and turning the heck out of them, I have to cover my ears or not watch.

Most pop music nowadays drive me crazy, I like nice smooth rythem based music not focused on bass or truble, lack of loud keyboards is good. Can't take screaming/crying either people yelling etc. I get headaches very easley from sounds.

Touch-I pull back, swipe away people all the time. dislike meny moist/oily feelings, bugs/twigs etc. Same as most posters really.

Taste-same as Verdandi really, I hate all worm drinks, fancy ingredients.

Texture-can't eat any veggies or fruit besides bananas and corn, love the juices though. No coconut or the like either, mixed ingredance foods. eg. I love chicken, hambrug, hotdog and fries with only ketchup with plain preperation and white bread.

Sight-Once again refer to Verdandi's post, no need to rewrite, get headaches if not careful.

Smell-i'm luckey my sence of smell is so bad, nose always pluged up.

Proprioceptive-No good in crowds and med-high pressure enviroments, learned to avoid them, mom does all the shopping alone. I get very edgey very fast, sitting in the car listening to he radio appeals to me. The internet is my friend. I would never leave my neighbourhood if I had the choice. Someone says they walk on their toes, I walk on my heels, killing new shoes in a week and a 1/2, holes right through.

If I could write better I could write a book on this issue.

Forgot to mention that I'm extremely hypersensitive to pain. I also cannot stand being cold. (Don't have much problem with being hot, unless I'm sweating, since that is WET.) But I seem to react differently to cold than most people. I will be shivering when others aren't, and vice versa.

Yes I also have this, extreme temperature sensitivity.

I have the following:

Sounds:
- The noise of people eating and drinking
- Crowds/lots of people talking at once
- Metallic sounds such as money scraped on a wooden table and teeth scraping or clinking on cutlery

Sight:
- “Messy”, cluttered-looking shops which sell many different items can be overwhelming to me
- Dim lighting makes my head feel noisy

Smell:
- Cigarette smoke

Taste/food textures:
- I'm sensitive to certain food textures—“gooey”, “mushy” or slimy foods and drink. I cannot bear the texture of cheese, bananas, soft bread, milk, “slimy” puddings like tapioca etc.

Touch:
- I do not like physical contact with another person and cannot tolerate some forms of light touch, such as someone sitting with their elbows brushing mine, which is unbearable to me.
- I cannot stand to touch certain fabrics, eg velvet or corduroy (I find towels difficult too but can use them at the moment, though this one is getting worse).

While I myself do not have any unusual sensory issues as you guys describe, it's absolutely fascinating to read your posts.

Light sensativity might not be ASD, it might be the optics in the eye. The Welsh are particularly known for it.

I have it very badly at some things

When I was little I might just start screaming if my sock felt uncomfortable, or it was winding and making my face feel uncomfortable.
Still I have many.

Touch/feelings on my skin
- Clothes feeling uncomfortable makes me hyperventilate and even cry
- Shower gel that leaves ewwy feeling on your skin makes me freak out
- Worst one is my feet being touched or my feet feeling uncomfortable because of socks or shoes.. It's just horrible. I prefer to walk around without shoes and socks.
- Cold water on skin
- Light, sudden touches
- Hugs

Smells
- The smell of people and sweat
- Smell of pee in parks and public toilets
- Cigarettes
- Smell of coffee

Sounds
- Loud noises like trucks, trains, thunder, motorcycles etc..
- Sound of heavy breathing makes me feel sick, specially if it's male
- Sound of mosquitos
- Sound of my own heart beating when it's really quiet

Also I can't stand mixed tastes.. Like if i have salad and some other food on plate, I can not eat them if they touch each other..
I can not handle spinning or fast speed in car
Also every pressure feeling on my body. Like sitting down too long.
There is a lot

Sound is definitely the worst for me, anything from a radio a few decibels too high to a vacuum cleaner will cause me pain. I can't be standing right next to a boiling kettle or have the bathroom sink or tub tap on full. Train whistles, sirens, large crowds, loud music and babies/children screaming are the worst and completely intolerable. I have to carry earplugs with me wherever I go just in case. It's really irritating and I wish this sensitivity weren't so strong.

Touch is an issue too, almost as bad as sound. I can't wear any clothing that doesn't hang off me as the constant light pressure of the fabric clinging to my body is unbearable. I'm extremely finicky about fabrics and can only do cotton, flannel or fleece shirts, no polyester, no lace, no sewn on logos that rub on the inside of the shirt, nothing low-cut or high rise, and the sleeves have to be either entirely short or entirely long unless it's the middle of summer, because sleeves that stop at the elbow, when I wear them under a sweater and can feel the two different fabrics rubbing different parts of my arm are unbearable. As for trousers, same deal, I can't do anything rough or low-cut, jeans have to come up past my hips to my navel or I can't wear them. Socks too have to come up well past the ankle. All these tactile limitations make going clothes shopping a nightmare for me and everyone involved. As for people touching me, I can tolerate firm hugs and touch over fairly large areas of my body, but light feathery touch or pinpoints of pressure such as poking, tickling or tapping drive me crazy and make me want to punch whoever is touching me like that.

Taste. I'm extremely finicky regarding taste and texture. There are very few fruits and vegetables I can tolerate due to the dreadful flavour and/or texture of most of them. Things like oranges that are mushy on the inside with bitter chewy white pith on the outside make me gag, as do a lot of other fruit skins like grapes and apples. All my food has to be at the right temperature, I can never eat anything straight out of the refrigerator without warming it up first; food that cold is repulsive. I even melt my ice cream to liquid and leave my yogurts sitting out until they reach room temperature.

Vestibular movement is tricky because I love the feeling of swinging and spinning, but such movement also makes me motion sick, so I can only do it in small bursts. Large amusement park swinging rides with a very wide arc are alright because the movement doesn't change direction as quickly.

Overall, I think sensory issues are one of the biggest problems I have to deal with in regards to my AS.

Sight:
- Eyestrain, fatigue from bright lights, fluorescent lights are the worst
- I see vivid colors, it's why I like cartoons, colorful games

Smell:
- Many smells bother me more then usual

Sound:
- I am sensitive and jumpy to sounds
When people are walking around outside my door I am on edge, when people close and open doors while I'm in the shower I get annoyed. Loud noises will make me jump out of my skin. I have my headphones at %25 volume because anything higher become fatiguing.
-I find it difficult to filter sounds
I can't concentrate on a TV when there is background noise, I have trouble understanding people with accents, I need people to talk slowly and clearly for me to understand them most of the time.

Taste:
- I was a picky eater when I was young
I did not like mayonnaise on my sandwiches, did not like pineapple on pizza, did not like peanut butter and jelly, did not like mint chocolate, Mixing flavours was generally unpleasant.

Touch:
- I have temperature sensitivities
- I am sensitive to people touching me
I did not play fight when I was young because it was sensory overload. I would run away from my brother when he would try to play fight with me. I would avoid hugs from parents because it would be to much to handle. I cannot handle being tickled, I never laugh I just run away.