Tag Archive for: Sensitivity

Sensory Processing Disorder in ASD/ADHD

Big Festivities like Christmas and Easter are as over-craved as overwhelmed in Autism and ADHD.

Holiday-overwhelm in Autism and ADHD is well documented, although new findings shed more in-depth details on general sensitivity towards major events.

Autistic/ADHD Meltdown is now included in Sensory Processing Disorder, an extremely complex, subjective pathology related to Senses.

SPD can affect anyone, in a specific way.
For this reason, I will explore the topic from an AuDHD perspective, particularly involving one of the eight senses, Proprioception.

Proprioception stands for Body Awareness, both mental and physical.
An autonomous system telling us where our body parts are in Motor Coordination and Memory, henceforth associated to Dopamine Circuits.

Sensory Responses define SPD.

The Sensory Responses of Autism/ADHD are:

  1. Over-responsivity
  2. Under-responsivity
  3. Sensory Craving 
  4. Sensory Avoiding 
  5. Sensory Overload 

Although ASD and ADHD are co-morbid, we can specifically select 1-4-5 to ASD, 2-3 to ADHD.

Over-responsivity subjects are overly sensitive and react aggressively to overwhelm.

Sensory Avoiding subjects kind of dissociate from external stimuli.

Sensory Overload coincides with Meltdown.

Under-responsivity/Sensory Craving are typical of ADHD and codependent. Subjects crave Stimulation for Reward, hence they are in a state of paralysis if not stimulated.

How to treat Proprioception.

Dopaminergic standard medication always helps however,  “meeting expectations” is fundamental to Proprioception.

Exercise plays a role in motor function only.

My expectation of going home is exacerbated by the Easter Season right now.
I’m still trapped in a non-Christian world in a Sensory Craving state.








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Perceptual disturbances in Autism

Autistics are heavily influenced by natural and biological factors.

Autistics are particularly sensitive to anticipation.

I’m not talking of changes here, which are a long established feature.

A change happens in the present moment and it is commonly accompanied by a meltdown.

Anticipation is the dreading of an upcoming event, either planned or unexpected.

There are natural elements in the atmosphere easily perceived by autistics, like Barometric pressure: I always guess the morning-after’s weather.
I dread rain and humidity.

This kind of sensitivity is a pro to neurotypicals, while a major stressor to autistics.
Neuron-displacement remains the most accredited hypothesis.

What we don’t know for sure, is why neurotypicals are less affected.
Brain circuitry definitely plays a major role.

Autistics have strong perceptions.
Although they can come handy, they are a big trigger to me.

We’re living difficult times where the future is uncertain and gloomy.
The best approach is living to the day.
I wish I could.
I have an uncanny ability to predict circumstances instead.
And I’m almost right.

Circumstances are normally related to all the more dreadful dead ends.
Who likes dead ends?!
The ‘deadly’ reference alone is depressing enough to scare the hell out!
I question the legitimacy of linguists…
Why not ‘due dates’ ?
Not 100% harmonious, yet less macabre.

I wish I had no perceptions.

Antipsychotic therapy is the only option at present.
Not my thing, I want to be lucid all the time.
I dread sedation.
I can’t afford being sedated.
I’m a planner.

If only I could stop planning for a day, I could ease my perceptions.
Co-morbid ADHD doesn’t help, I can’t stop planning as an expat desperate to go home.

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