Does autism always involve sensory processing difficulties?

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TLDR, are sensory difficulties always inherent to an autism diagnosis? Do sensory processing difficulties always involve too much information and the resulting overload, or is it possible for the reverse?

I'm curious because I was diagnosed with mild Asperger's when I was 13 (26 now). I can see how I got that diagnosis, looking back; I had a lot of the symptoms (limited ToM, inability to read nonverbal cues, restrictive interests, etc). I was, kindly put, pretty socially awkward--definitely leaps and bounds better socially than some of the kids I went to school with, but still not great. I've improved a lot over the years, though, and I highly doubt anyone would guess that I was diagnosed on the spectrum now--marching to the beat of my own drummer, definitely, but not abnormally so. (Basically, I get by socially well enough, but I would be a comically horrible trainwreck as a salesperson or counselor.)

Given how I feel like much of what warranted a diagnosis at one point could just pass for quirky personality traits, I often wonder whether the diagnosis was ever right (not to say people can't improve, though!). A large part of what makes me wonder is the sensory processing bit. It seems like people always cite that as a key part of their being autistic. Is it, or can the other traits exist alone without it? Alternatively, rather than having "too much" sensory information, is it possible to struggle with "too little"?

I had some definite problems with texture of food and clothing as a kid, but I got over that by college. Moreover, instead of being overwhelmed by sensory input, I feel like I have the reverse problem--I don't even register input that normal people do. I have a deeply intense focus. Whatever I'm focused on, everything else gets totally filtered out. If I'm listening to you, for instance, I'll process what you're saying, but I probably won't register your facial expressions (this ends well). I don't struggle to filter everything out; I filter out more than most people do. Considering I can't get bothered by sensory information I'm not even registering... definitely don't meet that part of the diagnostic criteria, if it is one. It's always quite foreign for me to hear stories about "sensory overload," since I don't think I've ever once experienced that.

End answer doesn't matter ultimately, since my life isn't going to change either way, but was curious if that fell in line with other people's experience.

Work related things bug me and add up over time. Maybe it's like a very slow managed shutdown and I wind up sleeping extra or zoning out over the weekend. This is an annoying issue when I'm supposed to be catching up on chores on the weekend and I'm slow to get anything done. For example, after more napping I'm about to finally get it together and start doing my apartment cleaning Sunday night before I start the work week. I should have been on this at least by mid-Saturday.

I don't have sudden overloads or shutdowns really. I deal with sensory issues in the moment and I just pay for it later; sometimes with wasted Saturdays.

There is a strong correlation between sensory processing difficulties and repetitive and obsessive behaviors/interests. I read a study on this however, there are a lot of unknows on this subject. I also don't know if this is the case for every person with autism since it's not in the diagnostic criteria for asd. Hyposensitivity is very common among people with asd, if that answers your question.

I think I know what you mean, I don't have obvious sensory difficulties and I'm very good at shutting things out. Like when I go shopping in the supermarket, I don't look at people or look around, I'm just really focussed on the items on the shelves and finding the one I want. I've had the experience of passing by people I knew without even noticing them.

Even so, sometimes I do get a bit overwhelmed, for instance if the environment is noisy or there are lots of people, and I just have to get out of there quickly. I'm not sure if that's a sensory issue or not, I just start feeling intensely uncomfortable.

I'd say no, it doesn't.

Personally, I've seen several posts where people have said that they are autistic but don't have any sensory issues.

To switch this question around, you can experience sensory processing issues without being autistic as well. Autism is a collection of traits/symptoms and behaviours, people with autism can vary. Realistically, it is unlikely that someone with autism would display every single autistic trait, although they might, but generally people differ and they might not fit every single criteria on the list, but enough to qualify a diagnosis.

I experience sensory processing issues, my senses are notably heightened and I often pick up on things that others may miss. Having such heightened senses can sometimes be overwhelming. Yo El, your post interests me, perhaps I should look more into the connection between obsessive and repetitive behaviours and interests and sensory processing difficulties. I experience both obsessiveness and sensory issues, so it might be something to look into.

Now, I would say that issues with social interaction would be the main factor, so it's interesting how you say that some people describe their sensory issues being a big factor in their autism, oddnumberedcat.

Personally, I do not know if I am on the spectrum, and I am by no means an expert on the subject.

I think it's more likely that I am simply an individual prone to anxiety, a highly sensitive person who occasionally messes up socially, but certainly a lot less than I did in the past, than autistic.