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Mum of newly diagnosed ASD teen with sensory issues - where to find advice?

KathyM

Hi everyone

After 8 years of CAMHS being in and out of my son's life, he finally has a diagnosis of ASD.  On top of that he probably has Sensory Processing Disorder, but they do not assess for it in our area.  His main area of sensory problem is noise - he is incredibly noise sensitive.  

CAMHS say they only take a person to diagnosis and after that we're to find our own way really.  We are waiting for his formal diagnosis to be put in writing.  The only people who will remain involved will be OT *if* they believe he needs extra work on anger management and recognising emotions, which is likely.  Other than that we're on our own.

All this time I've focused on how a diagnosis would help or effect him as a child, and him becoming a young man (16) has crept up on us.  All of the strategies and help I know of is aimed at younger children.  

My first focus is to try and make his room "autism/sensory friendly" so he has a relaxing space to unwind after college (which is incredibly stressful for him currently and means he's often having meltdowns afterwards or when he's anxious about going).  

I can't find any "sensory diet" advice for a person of Dan's age, but that seems to be common across the board with other issues I have looked into too.  Can anyone point me in the right direction for learning more about how autism and sensory issues effect older teens and adults?  Does anyone have any ideas for a relaxing space for him?

Thanks in advance

Kathy

xxx

Parents

  • There are other postings, including a sticky topic near the top of one of the discussion themes, that address different behaviour between school and home. Because of peer pressure a school your son may well "let off steam" at home where it feels safer.

    Being able to get absorbed in something which is comfortable and "focussed" is most likely to help, but it is a very individual thing. Some people relax on computer games even to the point where they seem to do nothing else - but escape to other worlds that can be "controlled" better are a help.

    If finding an activity is proving difficult, just good ambience may help. Some people find lava lamps comfortable, or a low lit room with certain subdued colours, or certain music. Also consider things like pressure eg weighted blankets.

    For some it is objects which have stimulating visual detail, or evoke certain sensations. This may mean collecting things that seem like junk, also arranging them in patterns which again exert environmental control.

    I'm pretty certain some skaters, cyclists etc are AS driven - just doing endless manouvres seems to help some people.  There are postings on here about the benefits of pets (assuming he'll clean up after one and feed it).

    I wish there was more stuff on sensory issues. There are books and websites on the different types of sensory behaviours. But no-one seems to address sensory stress or overload much. This is because an overemphasis on the Triad of Impairments as an explanation of autism rather than its primary purpose - diagnosis, means it does not cover aspects which are not as autism distinctive.

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  • There are other postings, including a sticky topic near the top of one of the discussion themes, that address different behaviour between school and home. Because of peer pressure a school your son may well "let off steam" at home where it feels safer.

    Being able to get absorbed in something which is comfortable and "focussed" is most likely to help, but it is a very individual thing. Some people relax on computer games even to the point where they seem to do nothing else - but escape to other worlds that can be "controlled" better are a help.

    If finding an activity is proving difficult, just good ambience may help. Some people find lava lamps comfortable, or a low lit room with certain subdued colours, or certain music. Also consider things like pressure eg weighted blankets.

    For some it is objects which have stimulating visual detail, or evoke certain sensations. This may mean collecting things that seem like junk, also arranging them in patterns which again exert environmental control.

    I'm pretty certain some skaters, cyclists etc are AS driven - just doing endless manouvres seems to help some people.  There are postings on here about the benefits of pets (assuming he'll clean up after one and feed it).

    I wish there was more stuff on sensory issues. There are books and websites on the different types of sensory behaviours. But no-one seems to address sensory stress or overload much. This is because an overemphasis on the Triad of Impairments as an explanation of autism rather than its primary purpose - diagnosis, means it does not cover aspects which are not as autism distinctive.

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