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Sensory stuff

Goalkeeper

I'm interested to find out what sensory challenges other autistic people have. Here are some of mine:

Temperature - My brain always tells me I'm cold. This results in me wearing too many clothes and often a coat indoors. I really struggle to choose the right clothes to wear, especially in summer. And if one more person says to me: "aren't you hot in that coat?" I'll feel like being rude to them :)

Touch - I've never been able to wear any form of jewellery or a watch. Used to wear a watch at school but it felt like it was burning a hole in my arm. Spent a lot of time walking around looking for clocks. Before I got married my very understanding wife-to-be said to me: "no point in getting you a ring, is there?"

Taste - I'm vegetarian. Sadly this is not because I really care that much about animals (though I do like bears) but because I literally can't stand the taste and texture of meat. Unlike people who became vegetarian when it became trendy in the 1980s but couldn't stick at it, I've had no such problem. I also like really hot, spicy food and I like eating lemon slices (honestly, I love lemons).

Sound - Sudden noises freak me out (no surprise there) but there are also certain sounds like running water that seem to be disproportionately loud

People - This is the really awkward one. Certain people freak me out. This tends to be non-verbal communicators. Some people don't say much but communicate loads with their eyes, facial expressions and body language. This just confuses the hell out of me and makes me anxious so I avoid those people. You know who they are instantly as it starts with eye contact.

Smells - sudden smells have a similar affect of provoking anxiety but then there are others that are really, really nice. Please tell me there are other people who have to sniff a coffee packet immediately after it's freshly opened?

Parents

  • I cannot wear rings or wristwatches, far too irritating. I started wearing pocket watches in 1997, a big improvement on sticking a wristwatch in my pocket most of the time. Sudden loud noises freak me out, especially dogs barking, I jump involuntarily every bloody time. I have to cut out or unpick the stitches of all clothes labels. Blancmange-like, fatty and gristly food textures make me gag. Tobacco smoke and some perfumes make me feel like I am being assaulted. Touching most synthetic textiles is quite horrible, but nylon is the worst. If I touch nylon the visceral reaction is so strong I feel physically ill for many minutes. 

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  • I cannot wear rings or wristwatches, far too irritating. I started wearing pocket watches in 1997, a big improvement on sticking a wristwatch in my pocket most of the time. Sudden loud noises freak me out, especially dogs barking, I jump involuntarily every bloody time. I have to cut out or unpick the stitches of all clothes labels. Blancmange-like, fatty and gristly food textures make me gag. Tobacco smoke and some perfumes make me feel like I am being assaulted. Touching most synthetic textiles is quite horrible, but nylon is the worst. If I touch nylon the visceral reaction is so strong I feel physically ill for many minutes. 

Children
  • in reply to Martin

    I used to have a pocket watch in the 90s! But I broke it when celebrating a goal at football. Another problem I have is getting 'over-enthusiastic' at matches. And I too cannot help reaching out for things that I walk past. Only the other day I decided to go for a walk at a place I didn't know too well. The footpath ran out and I found myself rather stupidly walking along the grass verge of a main road. In those situations I have to reach out for bits of foliage and grab them. I like the feel of snapping the twigs off hedgerows.