When the World Feels Overwhelming: My Journey with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Introduction

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition. It is characterized by difficulties in social communication and interaction, alongside restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. This article explore the challenges faced by individuals with autism: sensory sensitivities, communication difficulties, social interaction complexities, and the impact on daily life. Drawing upon the latest scientific research and my own experience, this article aims to provide a deeper understanding of autism and promote empathy and acceptance.

Sensory Sensitivities: A World of Heightened Input

One of the hallmark characteristics of autism is heightened or atypical sensory processing. This can manifest in various ways, making everyday experiences overwhelming and challenging.

• Auditory Sensitivity: Individuals with autism may be hypersensitive to certain sounds, such as loud music, sudden noises, or even specific frequencies that others don't perceive. This can lead to discomfort, anxiety, and even physical pain. For some, specific sounds, like bird songs, might be intensely fascinating and easily distinguishable.

• Olfactory and Gustatory Sensitivities: Heightened senses of smell and taste are also common in autism. Strong odors, certain textures of food, or even subtle changes in taste that others wouldn't notice can be highly aversive.

• Tactile Sensitivity: Clothing textures, light touch, or even the feeling of certain materials can cause discomfort or distress for individuals with autism. This can make seemingly simple tasks, like getting dressed, a challenging experience.

• Visual Sensitivity: Bright lights, flickering lights, or even specific visual patterns can be overwhelming for some autistic individuals. This can lead to squinting, avoiding eye contact, or difficulty focusing on visual information.

Communication and Social Interaction:

Difficulties in social communication and interaction are central to the diagnostic criteria for autism. These challenges can stem from various factors:

• Nonverbal Communication: Individuals with autism may struggle with understanding and using nonverbal cues, such as facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice. This can lead to misinterpretations and difficulties in social interactions.

• Pragmatic Language: Understanding the social context of language and using language appropriately in different situations can be challenging. Individuals with autism might take things literally, struggle with sarcasm or humor, or have difficulty initiating and maintaining conversations.

• Theory of Mind: The ability to understand that others have thoughts, feelings, and perspectives different from one's own is often impaired in autism. This can make it difficult to anticipate the reactions of others, engage in perspective-taking, and navigate social situations effectively.

Executive Functions:

Executive functions are a set of cognitive skills that involve planning, organizing, managing time, and adapting to changing situations. Individuals with autism often experience challenges in these areas:

• Organization and Planning: Difficulties with organization and planning can make it challenging to manage daily routines, follow instructions with multiple steps, or complete tasks efficiently.

• Flexibility and Adaptability: Changes in routine or unexpected events can be particularly distressing for individuals with autism. This can lead to anxiety and difficulty coping with new situations.

• Working Memory: Holding information in mind and using it to complete tasks can be difficult. This can impact learning, following instructions, and participating in conversations.

Social and Emotional Challenges:

The social and communication difficulties associated with autism can lead to significant challenges in forming and maintaining relationships, navigating social situations, and understanding social expectations.

• Social Isolation and Loneliness: Difficulties with social interaction can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness. Individuals with autism may struggle to initiate social contact, understand social cues, or maintain friendships.

• Anxiety and Depression: The challenges of living in a world not designed for their needs can contribute to anxiety and depression in individuals with autism. Sensory overload, social difficulties, and the constant need to adapt can be emotionally taxing.

• Bullying and Stigma: Individuals with autism are often misunderstood and can be targets of bullying and stigma. This can further exacerbate social isolation and emotional distress.

Interacting with Individuals with Autism: Promoting Understanding and Acceptance

Understanding the challenges faced by individuals with autism is crucial for creating a more inclusive and supportive environment. Here are some guidelines for interacting with autistic individuals:

• Clear and Direct Communication: Use clear and concise language, avoiding idioms, sarcasm, and figures of speech that might be misinterpreted.

• Patience and Understanding: Recognize that processing information and responding might take longer for some individuals with autism. Allow time for them to process and respond.

• Respect Sensory Sensitivities: Be mindful of potential sensory triggers and try to minimize them whenever possible. This might involve dimming lights, reducing noise levels, or avoiding strong scents.

• Avoid Making Assumptions: Don't assume that an individual with autism understands social cues or unspoken expectations. Be explicit in your communication and expectations.

• Focus on Strengths and Interests: Individuals with autism often have unique strengths and interests. Recognize and appreciate these, and engage in conversations about their passions.

• Promote Inclusivity and Acceptance: Create an environment where individuals with autism feel welcome, respected, and valued for who they are.

My Personal Experience with Autism

Noise affects me greatly, bad music or bad singers annoy me so much that I sometimes have to leave. I unconsciously identify the birds I know by their songs. Certain very quiet noises (machines, coil whine) bother me even though most people can't hear them. If the music is loud in a bar, I can't understand what other people are saying. If I'm reading and there's music or people talking nearby, these sounds overwhelm me and can't absorb what's in the book. Whispering drives me crazy.

I can smell things that people are often unaware of. I can't stand bad smells and bad breath.

The fabric of some clothes worn by many people feels uncomfortable to me, too rough, not supple enough. I can't wear clothes without getting rid of their labels first.

I'm constantly blinded by the sun, so much so that my eyebrows are always furrowed when I'm outside. I only buy sunglasses with the highest protection factor.

I need to see information in text form to retain it, otherwise I concentrate on the details of the surroundings or the face, clothes, gestures, posture of the person talking to me. And, the harder I try to focus, the less successful I am. The trick is to take notes, watch explanatory videos or interviews with subtitles, and read the transcripts of podcasts.

At school, I found it difficult to keep track of odd and even weeks or to remember which classroom to go to. That's why I regularly missed lessons or arrived late.

Elementary school, middle school, high school: I was regularly bullied.

I lose track of time on the computer. I can spend all day on it, in my own bubble, forgetting to eat, and only getting up when I can't resist going to the bathroom.

I have to make an effort to look people in the eye when I'm speaking. I dissociate from my vision when someone has my full attention.

I question almost everything I do that involves other people. I never know whether I have talked too much or too little, whether I have brought up the wrong topic, whether I have been too strict or too relaxed about a specific conversation. It's difficult to know whether I should be more reserved or more intimate with people. Although I know that some people are easily offended, it's not in my interest to alienate them.

I don't like bumping into people in uncrowded spaces because I have to calculate the right distance to say hello.

References

• American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.

• Baron-Cohen, S. (2008). Autism spectrum disorders. The Lancet, 372(9640), 881-892.

• Frith, U. (2003). Autism: Explaining the enigma (2nd ed.). Oxford: Blackwell Publishing.

• Pellicano, E., & Burr, D. (2012). When the world becomes 'too real': A Bayesian explanation of autistic perception. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 16(10), 504-510.

Disclaimer: This information is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a qualified doctor for diagnosis, treatment, and guidance regarding any mental health concerns.