What counts as a sensory issue?

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Hi all,

I'm not sure if I have (mild) aspergers, I think if I'd been assessed when I was growing up (ie sometime before leaving home at 18) I may well have been diagnosed as such but since then I 'fixed' most of my social issues by restraining myself very strictly and learning the 'rules' of 'normal' interaction so I can blend in better, which I mostly manage to do. I have warm and close relationships with my family and some close friends so that's not a problem for me, (I'm 28 and have never had a proper relationship though) but I still hate group situations or social interaction with people I don't know well, and about 80% of my friends are people who share my obsessions and we spend time by talking about those subjects and analysing them. I was very badly bullied at school and am quite oversensitive. So.. until a few days ago I assumed I didn't have aspergers but then I watched a program about it and came across this term 'sensory issues'.

I dislike being touched in general and one of the problems I've had with relationships is that I have hooked up with 3 guys in my life but there are always issues because I really don't like kissing, don't seem to like the 'smell' of people close up and what I want is to be held tightly/'cuddled' but without a whole lot of stroking or movement because that's just... to much and makes me anxious.

Another major issue in my life is noise, I can't get to sleep with any background noise at all or with any kind of earplugs - I lived in Scandinavia during my early 20s and this was less of an issue there because of better soundproofing, people are generally quieter and I could afford a studio for myself so wasn't bothered by housemates. Since I started studying in London I've mostly been commuting from the next county where my parents live because every time I try to flatshare there are noise issues (and flatmate issues, but thats another story) - anyway, you get the picture. Noisy, crowded places in the day also raise my anxiety levels but not to the level that this becomes a big problem generally.

I'm quite fussy about food but I get around it by cooking for myself..there's a lot of normal foods that I find disgusting though.

I have mild synesthesia.

Anyway, are the things I am describing the kinds of things that fall under the umbrella of 'sensory issues'? I am seriously considering getting a diagnosis but I want to check first that this is in the right ballpark, I always assumed all my quirks/issues were unrelated. Also, does anyone else have the things I've mentioned?

I also do not particularly like kissing, but it's a mild aversion and I can get into it if the context is right. I'm very lucky to have a partner who is flexible and patient and willing to work with me on it.

Like you, I most definitely prefer deep pressure to light touching. Light touching or stroking, especially if it's repetitive, makes my skin crawl--it actually hurts, in a way.

I am very picky about the fit of my clothes. I wear a lot of stretch fabric (ie tights, miniskirts, fitted tshirts, etc), but can't stand it when any elastic (waistband, shoulder straps, collars, etc) is too tight, or if there is a tag or seam that I can feel. Almost none of my clothing has tags in it. I have a pretty strong aversion to many fabric textures, especially wool or plastic-y synthetics.

I have more, but they're not readily springing to mind. Maybe later!

ric (ie tights, miniskirts, fitted tshirts, etc), but can't stand it when any elastic (waistband, shoulder straps, collars, etc) is too tight, or if there is a tag or seam that I can feel. Almost none of my clothing has tags in it. I have a pretty strong aversion to many fabric textures, especially wool or plastic-y synthetics.

I have more, but they're not readily springing to mind. Maybe later!

Yes, deep pressure! I have a few Under Armour type shirts that are tight fitting and I find them soooo comforting. My clothes are all super soft fabrics and I have to have the right combination of laundry detergent and fabric softener. If for some reason my clothes go in the dryer without fabric softener then they need to be rewashed.