Sensory Issues

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Hi, I'm new here. I don't know if I have AS, but I think I might. I had never heard of it until the father of a child with AS suggested I might. My mom has always "teased" me by saying she thought I was a little autistic because I can't make eye contact, hate to be touched, am awkward in social situations, and can't say I love you. I have an autistic uncle who can't speak, is still in diapers, and honestly scared me growing up. Until recently that was what I always associated with autism so I never put any stock into what my mom was saying. Anyway I've been doing research because I've always had a problem with certain textures and sounds, and when I tried some online searchs to see what the reasoning is everything pointed to AS. Here's what I'm talking about. I don't know how well I can describe it because I've never tried to tell anyone about this before. I can't stand the feel of anything that I consider dry or rough, things like cardboard, styrofoam, wood, and even paper. Obviously I have to touch these things usually on a daily basis, and most times I can just deal with it. Other times when I'm stressed I just can't stand it. I have this thing where to deal with it, I'll suck on my finger tips to keep them from feeling dry. I don't know why, but it feels like it's what I have to do to compensate. Sorry, I'm sure I'm not explaining it very well. Then there are some sounds that literally make me cringe and make my ears hurt. If I can't make the sounds stop (like I'm at work or in school) I'll just swish the saliva in my mouth.

So does this sound like anything that anyone else does, or am I way off track?

Those sound pretty much like the sensory issues I have myself, although with me it is more really smothe soft things that make me twich.

Ofcourse sensory issues alone doesn't mean that you have AS, there could still be other explainations, but from what you write I think there is a chance that you might have it.

Have you tried taking the aspie test? It makes for a pretty good starting point: http://www.rdos.net/eng/Aspie-quiz.php

Also, a good book to read, is "The Highly Sensitive Person," by Elaine Aron. Here's her website:

http://www.hsperson.com/

Her book was what started me on my journey of self discovery, leading to the diagnoses of Asperger's. You may just be highly sensitive, or you may have Asperger's. It's all a continuum.

BTW, welcome to Wrong Planet!

Thank you guys so much. I took that quiz, and it gave me an aspie score of 147 of 200, and a nt score of 61 of 200.

I don't know if dry/rough is the best way to describe what bothers me. I also don't like soft things like velour, flannel, and courderoy.

I'll check out that book that got mentioned too.

Do you guys ever really get lost in thought? Like I'll feel like I just came out of a coma or something because I was thinking about something (or 6 or 7 things) and was so focused that I feel like the world disappeared for a few minutes.

Have you tried Liquid Gloves? It is a product sold in fabric and craft stores. I've never tried it, but I've seen the advertisements. You wipe (or spray?) it on your hands, it dries and becomes invisible, and keeps your hands from drying out while handling things.

I'll look those up. Thanks!

Katemarin,

Have you heard of Sensory Integration Dysfunction?

Sometimes Autistics have it.

Basically all your senses act in overdrive or underdrive.

My senses over react to input. Especially materials. Cotton is my favorite material as long as I cut out the tags.

I visibly shutter whenever I smell beverage alcohol. My smell receptors pick up on it better than most NT's, too...I guess that's why I specialize in DUI enforcement

Hi, Katemarin! I'm also new to the site. Thank you so much for posting this because I also have sensory issues. I'm not sure if I have Asperger's Syndrome but I definitely have Sensory Integration Dysfunction. Like Bopkasen, I can't stand fabrics such as jeans or corduroy and I dislike wearing clothes that are too tight. I'm also an extremely picky eater and I don't like loud music and overwhelming smells. I also don't like being touched and touching things like sand and even water is an issue sometimes. So don't worry, you are not alone!

Also thanks to Belfast for all those links!

The links really helped me to understand why I could never learn to ride a bike, or swim. It wasn't because I was stupid! But of course, when I was growing up, they didn't have these programs in the schools.

My main sensory issue is loud noises.