Laughing Through Sensory Overload: A Humorous Take on Autistic Sensory Experiences

After receiving my autism diagnosis and returning to the daily grind, I found that my autistic sensory overload symptoms remained unchanged. It appears I might have expected too much from the autism diagnostic process in terms of easing my sensory overload experience with my environment. A magic wand would be nice, or at least a complimentary pair of noise-cancelling headphones!

Expectation vs. Reality

Expectation: “Congratulations! You’re officially autistic! Here’s your superhero cape and a guide for navigating life!” Well, I could skip the spandex, but a comprehensive manual would be ideal for understanding the autistic sensory overload during autistic burnout.

Reality: “Here’s a piece of paper and the same old world that looks like a perfectly cooked steak with crispy fries in a blender.” I experienced the same intense sounds, tastes, smells, touches and sights, only now with a fancy and invisible label on my forehead - ASD.

Everyday Life: The Autistic Sensory Overload Survival Game

Everyday life is like an extreme ocean sport, if only I could glide like a dolphin. Instead, I dodge autistic sensory overload like a turtle, retreating into my shell trying to avoid bright lights and sounds louder than wind blowing over a leaf (around 10dB). I was on a stealth mission to find a scentless fabric softener that actually works, otherwise the crunchy texture of my clothes could start a little war with my skin. My taste buds were armed with a determination to find the nearest exit when flavours became too exciting.

Navigating the world with my new diagnosis and unaware autistic burnout, along with the same old sensory quirks, equipped only with humour and subtle stimming techniques. If you notice me twirling my thumbs, it's not for fun; it’s my brain’s way of saying, “Please, for the love of all that is sensory, let’s make it through the day without an autistic meltdown!”

I didn't expect to be none the wiser after the autism diagnosis—it's like getting a new phone without the manual. I found myself diving back into my research skills to keep searching for answers. Hint: It takes deliberate effort to pause, reflect, and find value in the autism diagnosis, even when it seems chaotic. This piece of paper, then, becomes a reminder of our ability to create, organise our thoughts, and reshape the narrative of our lives, transforming the blended chaos back into something autistically meaningful.

Understanding the Sensory Spectrum: The Good, The Bad, and The Hilarious

Each person with autism experiences sensory input uniquely, ranging from under-sensitivity to over-sensitivity to everyday sensory stimuli. This may include aversions to bright lights, colours, patterns, sounds, smells, tastes, textures, or touch. Sensitivity levels may also shift between heightened and reduced depending on factors like environmental conditions, emotional perception, or the time of day. Here's my perspective on the sensory spectrum:

Sounds - Hyposensitivity: The Radio Experience

Imagine it as the human equivalent of a radio with the volume set low. It's like our ears are selective—only tuning in to the big hits! We might miss the soft chirping of a bird or a nearby doorbell, but we can definitely hear the ice cream truck from three blocks away!

It's as if our ears have a VIP list: "Apologies, Professor Whispering Wind, you're not on it, but welcome, Ambassador Ice Cream Truck! You're the star of the show!" Who would have thought our hearing could be so selective?

Sounds - Hypersensitivity: Buzzing Sixth Sense

We are like superhuman detectors for every irritating noise in the universe. If a fly is buzzing in the next room, we'll sense the vibration even before we can say "buzz off!" Our ears have a sixth sense—like a superhero power, but instead of saving the world, we spare ourselves from the agony of that one neighbour's relentless lawn mowing at 7am on a Saturday.

It's like we have built-in radar for annoying sounds. The moment someone crinkles a crisp packet in the office, we can pinpoint its location with the precision of a hawk spotting its prey. Forget stealth mode; we’re more like a walking sound detection alarm. If a pin drops, we’ll hear it, and then likely spend the next hour wondering who dropped it and why they didn’t pick it up!

So, if you ever need a sound detective, just send us a message! We’ll track down that rogue fly, that mysterious creak in the floor, and even the slight hum of your refrigerator that’s been disturbing your sleep. Just don’t expect us to be quiet—we’re too busy being the world’s most vigilant noise monitors!

Sight - Hyposensitivity: The Unintentional Enthusiasts

Some autistic individuals perceive bright lights as an amazing light show, as if they’ve stumbled into a rave without the DJ or the questionable dance moves. They’re the ones who bring glow sticks to a power outage, turning a blackout into a dazzling light gallery!

Meanwhile, others are squinting like they just opened a can of wasps, puzzled by why their friends are suddenly shining like disco balls. “Is this a light show, or did someone just forget to pay the electric bill?”

Sight - Hypersensitivity: We Don't See Colours

For those who are overly sensitive, bright lights can seem as though we've been transported to an interrogation facility where the only colour is “blinding white.” It's a shade of white that makes us question our location and wonder if we've accidentally walked into an operating room after a nuclear explosion.

Every glance feels like a spotlight is shining directly into our soul, making us question whether we should have brought our sunglasses or, better yet, a pair of welding goggles. So, if you ever find yourself in a room so white it could rival as a thousand fluorescent bulbs, just remember: you’re not alone. You’re part of a secret club of people who have bravely faced the “blinding white” and lived to tell the tale.

Texture - Hypersensitivity: The Fluff Factor

When it comes to texture, some of us absolutely heart soft and fluffy blankets, they feel like a comforting, warm hug that brings a huge smile to our faces. It's like being snuggled by a cloud that also offers a warm cup of matcha and a sesame mochi!

Imagine wrapping ourselves in a blanket so soft that it's difficult to tell if we're being comforted or have transformed into one of the furry creatures from Monsters, Inc. It's the sort of sensation that makes us wonder if we're simply snuggling or auditioning for a role as a human marshmallow!

Next time you're snug in your cozy cocoon, keep in mind: for some, it's a delightful embrace, while for others, it's a fluffy struggle to survive! "Oh, a blanket! But why does it feel like I'm being gently attacked by a woolly mammoth?"

Texture - Hyposensitivity: The Sandpaper Burrito Experience

For individuals with texture under-sensitivity, it's a whole different experience. While some find joy in the softness, others might need the sensation of being wrapped in a sandpaper burrito before they truly feel it—deliciously uncomfortable!

It's as if every blanket is secretly trying out for a part in a horror movie, with them as the unsuspecting victims. They fantasise about a life where their only outfit is their birthday suit, because why bother with fabric when they can't even sense a cozy hug from a cactus?

So, if you spot someone at a party in an inflatable suit, don’t be alarmed—it’s just their way of avoiding the dreaded sandpaper burrito experience. They’re living their best life, comfortably bare inside and at a safe distance!

Smell - Hypersensitivity: A Cookie Conundrum

Imagine this: the aroma of freshly baked gooey cookies fills the air, and one autistic individual is practically levitating with joy, envisioning a cookie paradise. Meanwhile, another is experiencing a scent-induced existential crisis, convinced that those cookies are actually a failed science experiment.

It's like a sitcom episode: one character joyfully dances around as a cookie expert, singing "These cookie smell like happiness!" Meanwhile, the other character, a scent-sensitive scientist, is frantically Googling "How to neutralise cookie fumes. I need a hazmat suit and a cookie evacuation plan!"

Smell - Hyposensitivity: The Zombie Trash Chronicles

Welcome to the thrilling series of "Smell Under-Sensitivity," where the only thing more oblivious than the antihero is the rubbish lurking in the corner!

• Episode 1: The Fishy Affair - Our antihero, blissfully unaware, walk past the bin, which is now a biohazard zone. The fish from three weeks ago has officially achieved sentience and is plotting its escape!

• Episode 2: The Great Stink-Off - Friends come over for a casual hangout, but instead of a fun evening, they are greeted by the horror of the "Trash Monster." Spoiler: it wins Best Supporting Actor!

• Episode 3: The Zombie Apocalypse - As the trash reaches critical mass, it begins to shuffle around the kitchen. Our antihero, still oblivious, thinks it's just a new dance move. "Is that the latest TikTok challenge?"

In a world where the trash is slowly evolving into a living zombie, the only thing that can save the day is a nose that works! Will our antihero ever learn to smell the roses—or at least the rotten fish?

Taste - Hypersensitivity: Culinary Quirks

Greetings from the culinary experts. We are so sensitive to certain tastes that we could probably win a gold medal in the Olympic sport of Picky Eating. You know the type—detect a trace of scented rice, and we react as if we've just come across a rabid raccoon!

Picture joining us for dinner: we'd order the entire meal for the table, otherwise this is considered a personal betrayal. "Why would you do this to me? These dishes don't complement the other sides or drinks, and they taste like a high school gym sock soaked in treachery brine."

While the rest of you indulge your culinary mismatch, the taste-sensitive warriors are bravely navigating a minefield of flavours, armed with our reliable list of “Nope, Nope, and Absolutely Not Pairing Together!”

Taste - Hyposensitivity: Why Settle for Mild?

Some autistic individuals experience reduced taste sensitivity, which can lead to some rather amusing culinary adventures. Imagine craving flavours so intense that you’d eagerly dive into the world of stinky tofu! Yes, that’s right—a dish that smells like it’s been living under a rock for a few decades.

For these brave souls, they are practically waving a flag of flavour rebellion. They can almost hear the tofu calling out to their taste buds with gentle whispers: "Hey there, is it a burst of decay you’re looking for?"

These culinary daredevils might find themselves at the local market, shouting, “Bring on the fermented fish sauce! I need a flavour that could wake the neighbours!” Their taste buds are the ultimate thrill-seekers, they conquer it, savouring every pungent bite and come back with tales of bravery. Leaving others gasping for air, wondering why eating something that smells like a drain pipe was a good idea.

Conclusion: Embracing Autistic Sensory Overload Quirks With Unfiltered Enthusiasm

In the end, navigating the autistic sensory world can be a bit like trying to find your way through a corn maze—sometimes you get lost, sometimes you bump into a few walls (literally), but hey, at least you might find some popcorn along the way! This metaphor captures the essence of our autistic sensory overload experiences as we interact with the myriad sensory stimuli that surround us daily. Just as a corn maze presents unexpected dead ends, and delightful surprises, our sensory journey is filled with moments of confusion, discovery, and joy.

As we navigate the complex maze of autistic sensory experiences, we often encounter challenges that can leave us feeling overwhelmed or disoriented, potentially leading to an autistic meltdown, burnout or shutdown. For some individuals, the noise of a busy street or the glaring brightness of a crowded room can be distressing. However, just as one might learn to navigate a corn maze more effectively with practice, we too can develop strategies to manage our autistic sensory experiences. This might include finding quieter spaces when the noise is excessive or carrying a comforting item to help ground us when the world feels chaotic.

Navigating the autistic sensory overload landscape isn't just about overcoming obstacles; it's about appreciating our unique autistic perceptions. Like finding hidden beauty in a maze, we discover joy in our sensory preferences, such as the calming sound of rain, vibrant colours of a sunset, or the aroma of freshly steamed bao. Embracing our quirks allows us to appreciate the world from our own unique autistic perspectives, transforming what might initially appear as hurdles into opportunities for personal growth and enjoyment.

The key is to accept that getting lost in the autistic sensory overload maze is part of the adventure. Each twist enhances our self-awareness and understanding. By acknowledging our unique autistic sensory profiles and mastering our environment, we can navigate the maze and savour the journey. Embrace the quirks that define us and enjoy the popcorn moments—those delightful surprises that remind us of the joy and wonder within our autistic sensory experiences.