Autism NeuroDiversity and Sensory Processing - an Autistic perspective on SPD

Every single human being, whether they are NeuroDivergent, NeuroTypical, Autistic, non-Autistic, has their own unique sensory profile.

I like to describe this as, either a music, or a DJ sound controller board, because in my head a lot of things are related to music.

If we have this little sound controller board, that has all these little slider knobs that go up and down, up and down, up and down. We could place all of the senses on this slider.

Each person will have their own board. We have sound, sight, touch, taste, balance, being able to feel where your body is in space. Things like that, are all on unique sliders.

You can take any of these knobs and slide them, up to where they are more intense, or down to where they are less intense.

People who have sensory processing differences, Autistic People, NeuroDivergent People, and some others, are gonna have those slider knobs to where they are out in the extreme ends of being more sensitive, or less sensitive, to the given stimuli.

Whereas people who are considered, air quotes, "sensory average", NeuroTypical, those who do not have sensory processing differences, are gonna be more in this middle average, to where sensory things tend to be less distressing to them.

That's not to say that people who don't have sensory processing differences won't have particular sensory experiences that they do find overwhelming,

ID: Lyric, a pale skinned nonbinary person with short green, teal, purple, pink, orange, and yellow hair with shaved sides and jet black roots is sitting behind a white microphone in an RV with dark wood panel walls. The words "Sensory Processing" floats in front of them in pale teal and green letters.

Patreon members and YouTube channel members had access to this video on July 18, 2022. The video’s public release will be September 21, 2022.

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It's important that we all understand, that as Autistic People, there is not a unified autistic experience. We all have different opinions and very different experience, and I think it's great to share those things.

If you're a NeuroTypical watching, remember that this is just my experience as a NeuroDivergent Person.

Hopefully, this video will inspire other NeuroDivergent People to share their experiences as well, how they relate, and maybe even do not relate in the comments below.

I encourage you to listen to, and read, as many Autistic experiences as possible to best understand Autistic People.

I would LOVE to see more Autism vlogs by #ActuallyAutistic People.

On the web:

[TheWilliamHoganExperience]

Yup - all this and more. I'm late diagnosed in my 50s. Now I understand why the civilized, urban world was such a sensory hellscape for me. I'm a retired architect. Part of why I became an architect was because I thought the (built) world was so ugly and depressing, yet there were certain buildings that I found incredibly beautiful and uplifting. I now understand this as my extremely sensitive vision. It turns out my ability to discriminate between subtle color differences is off the charts. I have "perfect pitch" visually.Great right?

Wrong. Drab, ugly environments like most office spaces are soul crushing to me. So are flourescent lights and no sunlight. I spent 10 years trying to work in such spaces, and filnally shut-down from it, as well as my social difficulties - which were somewhat related. Sound is another area of hyper-sensitivity for me. It's actually worse than the visual torture, because it's easier to close your eyes or look away than it is to block out intrusive sounds. Lawn mowers. Chain saws. Leaf blowers. Garbage trucks. Car Alarms. loud car exhausts. aircraft. Sierens. Horns. Back-up warning sounds. High pitched squeals from children or drunk adult women sociliazing. Dogs barking. Any sort of sudden, unexpected crash. bang or squeal. Crows squaking. etc. etc. etc...

My passion for the last 8 years has been learning to play the guitar and sing. It litterally kept me sane while I was struggling with overwhelming the anxiety and suicidal depression that was a hang-over from a half century trying to fit in. Now I'm getting paid a little to do that now and then. The best part is that I have an awesome amplification system. It gets VERY loud if I want it to.

...so every once in a while, I take my instrument and equipment to a noisy, chaotic public space.

And I play music. LOUDLY. I drown out the sonic chaos with harmony, melody, rythm, and song. I take control of the sonic environment, and try to make it beautiful for everyone, the way song birds do. And you know what? I (almost) never get any hate for it. Quite the opposite. Many, many people thank me and some even give me money. It's the most appreciated I've ever felt as a human being. It comes from the same place as the rest of my neurological condition:

My humanity.

That's why it hurts so much to be ostracized and mistreated by NTs. It's our humanity that's being rejected - as though we are some sort of loathesome animal with some horrible contageous disease. Most are blind to the gifts we bring. Worse, a few become jealous and resentful of our gifts and try to smash us.

This is why I've always identified with outsiders. The thing is, what makes autistic people different is internal, perceptual, cognitive, sensory, and therefore invisible. I liken autism to homosexuality. The way gay people were treated when I was growing up was criminal. But homosexuality is generally more obvious to both gay and straight people. Autism still carries stigmas, and is still clasified as a nueropsychological "disorder" unlike homosexuality. Conversion therapy and repression which amount to child abuse are still rampant.

Thanks for putting this channel up and helping to inform people about what autism is like for us. The key to gaining more acceptance and better accomodation from NTs starts with educating them about our shared humanity.

[Catlily]

I find some loud sounds really bother me like vacuum cleaners and the TV. Perfume, some cleaning supplies and gasoline bother me. A new bother was getting jiggled on the highway on a loud rattling bus.
Good things: smelling the pine trees in the mountains. Getting squeezed tightly by my boyfriend. Petting my cat's soft fur.

[ruthpiatak]

I really appreciate your soundboard and "sensory diet" analogies, Lyric. Several loved ones and I seem to have pretty particular sensory profiles, and the day goes much better when they are accommodated.

[blueland]

Thanks for this, love the part about sensory diet!
I've left every job but one over 35 years because of different sensory issues. I felt so much shame, only starting to stand up for my difference lately. Needing good vibes for finding work that supports me and my sensory needs: no fluorescents, rumbling machines or odors, an ergonomic workspace, quiet, or at least quiet solitary place to recover (one problem is finding a place of real peace for a break during a work shift: not a stinky breakroom with fluorescent lights and chatting coworkers or a bathroom stall!).
Now I am actively looking for my healthy sensory diet (no wonder I eat so many popsicles!) 🔥🌌

[stupidsminkle]

One sound I always hated was the nail file, I would RUN out of the room and cover my ears if my mom pulled it out

[kissa]

I have a lot of sensory issues, like I once had to quit a job because a slightly flickering computer monitor was giving me migraines. Or I would vomit as a kid due to certain texture combinations in my food. Right now I'm trying to decide what to do about my partner's sniffling when they get in bed, because it literally sends my heart racing.

[deltatranslation]

If I don’t wear sunglasses when I go outside during the day, I will constantly sneeze until it starts to physically hurt me

[minibus]

awesome video again Lyric, sensory overload can be an big problem for me. I find bright lashing light very hard as well as lots of noise, i can get headaches and bad sleep if my sensory enviroment has been bad as well, my bad stimms that this causes can be htting and biting myself. Sensory seeking includes listening to music at the right volume for me and watching cars go past my house

[MsPopo]

Thanks so much for the validation and information. Its eye opening! Lol😎 so comforting to know im not just a freak bc florescent and led lights bug me.

[jessimeeshelby]

I have been experiencing that extra energy from sensory Overload and have been picking at My fingers a lot. I am still finding what my sensory diet is. I love to sing so I try to do that when feeling jittery. We just moved apartments so I’ve been very overloaded

[alliyahMakeupChannelAndBeauty]

Workin real job field is tough an frustrating at times but they love me to death I guess lam so sweet but have a good 1 I can’t see how regular ppl do it but I see my job next Tuesday but I love it 🙃😉 have evening again

[alliyahMakeupChannelAndBeauty]

Yess I work in hospitality I get easily drained easy why my mom chose for me to work 3 days out the week cuz my first job I have for 6 years wit the Marriott they tough an hard on me they don’t baby me it difficult the pressure cuz my autism but I love it they let me have days off why the rest of them don’t get nun days off understandable in real world but have a good night 😄😇

[candidcosmoswith-jenni]

I'm a newer subscriber great videos and starting to figure out I don't like crouds it's overwhelming crowds ugh I avoid going to many places another weirdness I don't like any foods that wiggle such as jello

[alliyahMakeupChannelAndBeauty]

I was at work earlier take me time process things to cuz I got diagnosed wit autism at early age I have deal wit as a adult so me at least my bf understands 😇

[alliyahMakeupChannelAndBeauty]

Yess win my mom an Dad told me I was 10 I was diagnosed wit my autism I was 3 an still have to deal. Wit as a 27 about to be 28 adult yess it a lot to progress but an take it in trauma to at my bf Corey get it he work ppl wit disability’s an he do music so yea an me having anxiety disorder an autism disorder whis my’s high autism functioning yess it lot take in why trun to hook’s every now then 😇have a good 1