Tony Attwood is Autistic

The expanding diagnostic criteria caught up with both of them. For one, I would like to know what sensory difficulties they have, as these are usually lifelong and, to me, are a bit of a giveaway. 

My sensory problems are mostly tactile - synthetic textiles and clothing labels - and noise. When I found such things in the literature on autism (and diagnostic manuals) it was the clincher that convinced me that I was autistic.

Yeah, I get why sensory stuff feels like the real clincher - like proof you can't fake or ignore. For you, tactile (those damn labels and synthetics) and noise? That's classic. it's the same for loads of us - lifelong, quiet killers of comfort.

On Attwood... he doesn't spill much about his own sensitivities in public. From what I've seen - his blogs, interviews, even that fresh reflection on recognising his profile - he talks about sensory processing a ton: how it's core to autism now (DSM-5 nailed it), how over-sensitivity isn't just "annoying" but can be straight-up painful, how exposure therapy backfires and makes it worse.                         

He mentions hypo/hyper across sounds, textures, lights, smells - stuff like covering ears or seeking deep pressure. But personal? Nah. No "I hate wool" or "crowds make me melt" anecdotes. He's all clinician, not confessional. Maybe he's private, or maybe it's just not the bit he shares.

Still, you're spot on - the criteria expanded, caught him (and you) because those traits were always there. If he ever does open up about it, it'll probably be something understated, like "I always needed quiet rooms."

Your tactile and noise thing - any tricks you've found that actually work? Like seamless clothes or white noise?

For clothes, I just feel before I buy. I try to buy cotton or linen for anything next to my skin. I tend to wear long-sleeved shirts so that anything in the way of scratchy wool is not next to my skin. I remember looking for a lightweight rainproof hooded jacket (cagoules are the worst thing in the world) and feeling dozens of them in multiple shops until I found one I could stand. I have become quite expert at removing labels from clothing.

Noise is a problem, I cannot hold a conversation in high background noise, or if there is a radio or TV on. I jump out of my skin if there is a loud noise, even when I am expecting it. I guess ear plugs would work except I cannot stand things in my ear canal - thanks autism!

For clothes, I just feel before I buy. I try to buy cotton or linen for anything next to my skin. I tend to wear long-sleeved shirts so that anything in the way of scratchy wool is not next to my skin. I remember looking for a lightweight rainproof hooded jacket (cagoules are the worst thing in the world) and feeling dozens of them in multiple shops until I found one I could stand. I have become quite expert at removing labels from clothing.

Noise is a problem, I cannot hold a conversation in high background noise, or if there is a radio or TV on. I jump out of my skin if there is a loud noise, even when I am expecting it. I guess ear plugs would work except I cannot stand things in my ear canal - thanks autism!