Autism Spectrum Disorder - Understanding the Sensory Crisis

In this video I define autism spectrum disorder and specifically focus on the what you can do about the sensory crisis.

The way we define autism has changed over the years. It began as infantile autism in 1980 and then in 1987 it became pervasive developmental disorder or PDD. Then in 1994 other subtypes were added like Asperger's syndrome which was considered a higher functioning level of autism. Then in 2013, all these terms were incorporated into the new term, autism spectrum disorder. These changes are based on research that increased our understanding of it.

ASD is a developmental disorder. Meaning it starts in childhood but we no longer have a cut off for when you need to notice the symptoms. If it's very severe you may notice it when the child is a baby but if it a milder form or it may not be noticeable until late grade school or early teen years when the demands of socializing exceeds your ability to adapt.

References
Poquérusse J, Pastore L, Dellantonio S, Esposito G. Alexithymia and Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Complex Relationship. Front Psychol. 2018;9:1196.

Fitzgerald M, Bellgrove MA. The overlap between alexithymia and Asperger's syndrome. J Autism Dev Disord. 2006;36(4):573-6.

A Study of Balovaptan in Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder With a 2-Year Open-Label Extension. Source Clinical Trials dot gov

Disclaimer: All of the information on this channel is for educational purposes and not intended to be specific/personal medical advice from me to you. Watching the videos or getting answers to comments/question, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. If you have your own doctor, perhaps these videos can help prepare you for your discussion with your doctor.

[ezvibing]

I don't want more medication I just want people to be more patient with me.

[Kristen]

I was diagnosed with ASD last year. I was 36 when I was finally diagnosed. Can you talk about how Autism is different in girls and women, than it is in boys and men? Our interests tend to be things that are "normal, " but the intensity of our obsession is not normal. We tend to be better at Masking than men. There are so many undiagnosed Autistic girls and women, just because people don't know that it's not the same between the genders.

[avery-brown]

This is one of the most accurate, well-researched videos on ASD I have seen on YouTube from a non-Autistic content creator. So often we see videos that draw from massively outdated terminologies and knowledge. It is refreshing to have such a clear, concise, and informative video. I would have liked to see more info pertaining to women included though. You could address the fact that the DSM diagnostic criteria was based solely on studies of autistic white boys, and the typical ‘girl’ presentation is different hence many go undiagnosed and skew the statistics. We now believe that the ratio is actually closer to 1:1 in ASD. There is also a large percentage of Autistic people who are LGBT+. Perhaps a future video can touch upon this topic. Thank you for your work!

[nowiknowhy]

My biggest challenge with ASD is sensory. Touching of many things makes my senses go haywire. From the air being too dry, cant stand any clothing except a certain robe I have that I wear every day, I have to sleep alone and I have to wear ear plugs. Sounds are very challenging. Bright lights as well. I also have military level PTSD which enhances my sensory and anxiety to a point of often having long episodes of insomnia. I cant socialize because that will overloads all my senses so Im a hermit. Life is a struggle.

[enigmag]

I would like to recommend to anyone watching this who actually has a difficulty with some of the things she is speaking of to slow down the playback speed of the video. It helped me.

[TallMichelleWithTheLongHair]

I was sitting on top of my stairs outside my apartment. There were 2 kids playing down below on the sidewalk with a Big Wheel. When one started peddling and going down the sidewalk, I swear I could hear every tiny pebble, and piece of sand and grit under those plastic tires. It hurt my ears so bad that I covered my ears and had to go inside. I asked someone later if they thought it was loud. They said no. I mean, it sounded like my ear was right next to the tires. Also, I lost my last job, even though I was top sales person because I "didn't fit in." First, I don't like work place bullies and I speak up and call them out when they bully me.
I have a hard time trying to talk on the phone when others are next to me talking loud or yelling across me to someone else. Again, so loud I'd have to cover my free ear and close my eyes. Thats the ONLY time I flap my hands or on rare occasions when I'm very, very, extremely stressed. I've never held a job over 1 year and that's a very long time. I wish I knew what was wrong with me. No one seems to want to diagnose me. It's frustrating to have gone over 50 years with no help.

[DarkKnightOmega]

I think some ppl that are undiagnosed but have a less severe type of autism might learn very well how to cover up the impulses. People might force themselves to make eye contact, and have an awareness that talking about baseball to every single person isn’t normal, then not do it, even though a strong impulse is there. The thoughts and impulses are there they just don’t get acted on. I would usually just take notes and write them to myself and just look things up on my phone to keep myself stimulated.

[kayp]

I like how you mentioned the pressure vest. My dog has one and it calms him down.

[audhdcreativity]

I was diagnosed with depression at 19, anxiety disorder at 25 (both were medication resistant, I felt either numb, irritated/aggressive or suicidal), but I am actually Autistic with ADHD, and was confirmed as both at 50 years old. This is COMMON in women and non-typical Autistic presentations, not like the way you described in the video, which is more the stereotypical or ableist version (using words like deficits, impoverished, etc).

There are as many different types of people as in Neurotypical groups, and I do appreciate that you do acknowledge we are also all individuals and that we all have to figure out our own triggers and regulators and find a system to live a quality life. Changing our view of Autistic people from the sterotypical "absent-minded professor" will help more people be recognized, recieve diagnosis and possible get help or answers they've been looking for about their lives and themselves and it helps them to advocate for accomodations.

[lauragadille]

I wish there was more information on Aspergers in females.

[cousinit]

I love how straight forward and serious Tracy is, it’s very informative and focused.

[junkfinder]

You went into such great depth!! Thank you!!! I'm new to the spectrum. When you said low fantasy, I was like "wait. I love to daydream and zone out and fantasize about having huge success one day. But I corrected myself. My daydreaming is usually about my realistic goals. I also just noted that when I do watch TV or YouTube it is ALWAYS informative or some sort of documentary as my main preference. I simply don't have time for fantasies anymore. Maybe when I was younger, before the stress.

[scottbrady]

For me having austism is like being trapped inside a glass box filled
with water unable to breath, nothing gets through to me and all i hear
is blib blob blib blob, i feel totally disconnected from the people in
the air world and when in social situations it's like people are tapping
the glass and it scares me. Just leave me alone so i can sit in the
corner play with the dog

[scottbrady]

i have autism and love gardening, my garden is a texture paradise and you must wear shoes

[kathyking]

As a teacher, knowing all the techniques gets overwhelming. Thanks for the cards!!

[jennyonthespectrum]

Or for people from small towns and with parents who didn't believe in mental health care, and sexism, you don't get diagnosed until your mid 30s or later.

[sheamadison]

Hey Dr. Marks,
I love your videos! Could you make a video on the differences of ASD in men vs. women? I am 22 years old and I was diagnosed with ASD 9 months ago. I was told I was lucky it was caught so early since ASD is hard to diagnose in women due to how it presents differently, masking, and how the majority of ASD research has been done on boys since it was originally thought to be a boys syndrome only. Thank you so much! Looking forward to your future videos.

[gaystrangeraly]

A video on mind-blindness would be great. It is a hard concept for people to grasp. Being made aware of mind-blindness can help people relate to and assist people with ASD better.

[M_J_nan]

Thank you! Your information is valuable to a Mother of two autistic/ADHD, lovely sons in their 30's

[Lemonz]

You are an amazing teacher. I hope you continue to share your knowledge and expertise online. ❤️