How do you deal with sensory issues?

[Thesaurusrex]

I know a lot of us on the spectrum (myself included) deal with sensory issues/sensory processing disorder/sensory integration problems. What are the issues you specifically experience, and what methods have you used to cope with them?

For example, I have issues with noise and lots of chatter in public places - my partner and I like to go out for coffee, maybe once or twice a week. The cafe we frequent is so intolerable that he usually goes in alone to retrieve our coffees while I sit in the car, and we drive to a beach or park to enjoy them instead. However, I'm trying more and more to become independent, so I'm looking for ideas on how to deal with things like that.

 

[Balkan1996]

I have problems with loud noises, smells and light (only when it's night).

I try telling people to calm down when it comes to noise. I tell it in friendly, calm and mildly silent voice. Sometimes they listen, sometimes they don't.

I don't know will this work for you, but when I yell like all the other people, it doesn't bother me as much! It's like you can't be mad about yourself, kinda hard to explain.


If you're sensitive to smells, I suggest you to keep it to yourself.

 

[Progster]

I also have auditory sensitivity issues similar to the ones you describe, also certain noises really bother me like kids shouting, motobikes, sirens, squeeky car brakes, whistling, etc. It helps to keep a pair of ear plugs with me that I can put if I find myself in a noisy place, and if I'm out and about on my own I take my mp3 player to listen to music, that helps to drown out the unpleasant noise.

I don't have huge light sensitivity issues on a daily basis, but I can get a headache from exposure to sunlight for too long. I dislike bright flashing/flickering lights or strong points of light and particularly these new energy saving bulbs because I find them too bright - the white ones, the softer yellow ones are generally ok. I take a pair of sunglasses with me, and that helps to stop me getting overtired on a bright sunny day when I go out and helps keep me calm.

As for clothing, I don't like the way some fabrics feel against my skin, particularly synthetic ones - when I buy clothes I always feel them before buying and check the label to see what fabric is used. I prefer cotton tops, jeans and underwear. Fleeces are ok. Clothes make me itch, and scratchy labels are extremely irritating. I always cut the labels out, and in winter I wear the T-shirt inside-out so the seams and on the outside and won't bother me. Ditto socks.

Edit: Smells can be a big issue, particularly tobacco smoke. Unfortunately, there is very much a smoking culture in this country and there isn't much I can do about it except rely on other people's good nature not to smoke around me. I don't allow people to smoke in my house. If I go out, I need to choose the venue very carefully and avoid peak times because the noise and the smoke gets unbearable - which means going out on a Monday and avoiding Saturday at all costs. I find the smell of many detergents too strong, and dislike purfume. I always check the smell of these before buying them or buy unscented ones where possible - lemon scented detergents are a no-no for me.

 

[Suzanne]

Since it is only fairly recently, I discovered aspergers, I just tend to close down, when I see crowds of people. Try not to look around and just concentrate on what I am doing. I cannot say to hubby that I will meet him back at our van, because I have a mental block on getting out and going to the van on my own and thus have to deal with my issues.

I have given into accepting dependency, for I have tried so hard for years, without getting any where. Plus I do try in other areas.

You could try ear plugs, so you can drown out the sounds

 

[The Penguin]

Anytime I go out in public I always have to have my headphones. Without them, I will have panic attacks. I take public transits and many times there is loud people on the bus. Listing to my music, I'm in my own world and pretend no one exist. There many people keep going on about safety issues crossing the road with headphones. I always pay attention every time I cross the road. Also, use my other sensory skill feel to detect vibration of traffic.

 

[SameStars]

I don't really like crowded places like the shops or public transportation, too loud and chaotic. I'll try to concentrate on something else. In the bus or train I can read or listen to music. Otherwise I hum, or count things (like the amount of lamps, stuff like that), I repeatedly flex my hands, I try to walk on tiles in a pattern. I look for small ways to make me feel in control.

 

[Judge]

The primary rule of the most basic underwriting principles is that for exposures you cannot control, avoidance remains your best option. Seems to work for me in sensory concerns as well. However it's never foolproof, given all the incidental sudden and unwanted high and low pitched sounds that can happen in an instant.

Otherwise...yeah. Having noise-cancelling headphones sounds wonderful, if you can afford some good ones.

But having an understanding "wingman" sounds pretty cool too!

 

[Esben]

As we speak, i'm sitting at a family christmas party. It's nice, but it's also draining me. Im sitting in a nice chair, in the corner of the livingroom on my iPad with earplugs plugged in. I'm still present in the room, but not communicating with anyone. It works for me, and my family knows i'm an aspie, so they let me sit here . I use my iPod a lot, when i'm in public (shopping,commuting and stuff like that) and it lowers my level of tension alot

 

[The Penguin]

Otherwise...yeah. Having noise-cancelling headphones sounds wonderful, if you can afford some good ones.

I just made an order last night for Sennheiser HD280 PRO headphones. Though they not noise cancelling headphones, they do reduce noise up to 32dB. They meant to be use as professional monitor headphones for a studio so I know they do a good job. Though choosing headphones can be hard for some people. Most consumers like headphones that enhanced sounds such as using Beats. While an audiophile might want headphones to sound natural to hear all the original sounds the artist recorded in high fidelity. I recommend anyone picking up headphones is to find stores to allow you to try them on before buying.

 

[Judge]

I just made an order last night for Sennheiser HD280 PRO headphones. Though they not noise cancelling headphones, they do reduce noise up to 32dB. They meant to be use as professional monitor headphones for a studio so I know they do a good job. Though choosing headphones can be hard for some people. Most consumers like headphones that enhanced sounds such as using Beats. While an audiophile might want headphones to sound natural to hear all the original sounds the artist recorded in high fidelity. I recommend anyone picking up headphones is to find stores to allow you to try them on before buying.

The price is right... a third of what a Bose QC15/20 costs. And much less of a theft target wearing them in public.

 

[clg114]

I deal with my sensory issues by avoiding them when I can. When I can't, I just put up with them. I've had these issues so long that I'm pretty much used to them. I guess getting old isn't all bad after all.

 

[AsheSkyler]

Careful managing, juggling, and avoiding. For my cold problems, I wear more layers to keep warm. I don't get ice in my drink, and I make sure my issues are at a low so I can enjoy ice cream. For light, I keep the lights dim in the house and wear sunglasses when I drive. Sometimes when I'm just out walking too, depending on how annoying my eyes want to be. For my chemical problems, I either use elbow grease, or get my husband to do the nasty cleaning. And then open a lot of windows, turn on fans, and keep my nose covered. I simply avoid food that bothers me, like vinegar.

Crowds I don't have a problem with, I have some kind of high-gear I can switch to through some demanding situations (like heavy traffic), and it's actually kind of fun. But if I'm the center of attention? I leave quickly, and if somebody is trying to force me to the center of attention then I lay on a guilt-trip pretty thick and generally make myself such a nuisance they don't consider it again.

 

[113]

I went on a very strict anti-inflammatory diet a few weeks ago, and I've noticed that my anxiety has gone down a lot.

I still got a little anxiety in a busy supermarket today, but it was much less than usual. It sometimes takes me a few hours to relax after that, but I was okay when I left the store today.

I don't know if it's related to the diet (or resulting weight loss), but I think it might be.

 

[epath13]

What do you eat when you are on this diet?

 

[garnetflower13]

I avoid most things now. I find that cigarette smoke is absolutely unbearable, especially when it gets into my hair and on my clothing. Other things are the scented fabric softeners that most people like. They give me a headache, as well as strong colognes and perfumes and thick clouds of incense. Low frequency noises make me meltdown, especially when I can't get away from them, which includes car stereos, rumbling trucks and construction noises.

 

[Judge]

I avoid most things now. I find that cigarette smoke is absolutely unbearable, especially when it gets into my hair and on my clothing. Other things are the scented fabric softeners that most people like. They give me a headache, as well as strong colognes and perfumes and thick clouds of incense. Low frequency noises make me meltdown, especially when I can't get away from them, which includes car stereos, rumbling trucks and construction noises.

Me too. As a child such things didn't seem to bother me, but by puberty I was miserable. Low frequency sounds really get under my skin these days. Pretty much any scent that is strong bothers me.

 

[113]

What do you eat when you are on this diet?

I just wrote a long reply on my phone which got lost when I accidentally deleted the text. (There is no undo button on the phone.)

If anyone wants details, send me a private message, and I'll send you a link to my food blog. I don't want to post the link here. That will be easier than rewriting my post...

 

[ExplosiveTMT]

I hate the sensation of headphone cords rubbing against my skin, and while using headphones, I would often arrange the cords in such a way that they do not rub against me.

 

[AsheSkyler]

I hate the sensation of headphone cords rubbing against my skin, and while using headphones, I would often arrange the cords in such a way that they do not rub against me.

I have recently developed this issue. Makes private listening, or listening to something where I can hear it without blasting myself out of the room, rather annoying.

 

[Spiller]

For example, I have issues with noise and lots of chatter in public places - my partner and I like to go out for coffee, maybe once or twice a week. The cafe we frequent is so intolerable that he usually goes in alone to retrieve our coffees while I sit in the car, and we drive to a beach or park to enjoy them instead. However, I'm trying more and more to become independent, so I'm looking for ideas on how to deal with things like that.

I find noise, crowds and public chatter difficult too.
I practice exposure therapy - going to the supermarket almost daily, say, desensitises me, as I think some of it's due to anxiety and being familiar with a thing reduces anxiety. But it's been so busy over the Christmas period, that's been a lot harder and I've been hiding since Christmas Eve
If I meet a friend for coffee, I've found a place that's quiet.. as long as we sit far away from the TV there, otherwise all the noises overlap and I can't distinguish her voice - I guess that's the AS and I'm stuck with that one.
Basically, I'm trying to separate out what causes what and treat what I can treat, with CBT, meditation, herbs, and a fairly regular routinue including downtime.
I also regard my car as a retreat if I need it, when I'm out.. helps to know I can hide without having to get public transport first!