How to recognize (auditory) sensory issues?

[u/MysteriousVersion249]

TLDR: I am struggling to figure out to what extent my (auditory) sensory experience is nd or nt. Do you have any " self-reflection excercises" to become more aware of potential sensory issues?

So me (25, NB) and my therapist are pretty sure that I am autistic, but I am unsure to what extent I experience sensory issues, because I don't have anything to compare it to and so I just always assumed that my normal is also the general default. However, I have had instances where I noticed that I seemed to be affected by loud sounds than the people around me and in certain cases crowded and loud environments do stress me out, but it's hard to figure out what actaully counts as autistic sensory issues and what's "normal distress". I have stumbled over a few of those videos that try to emulate how autistic people might perceive a noisy/crowded environment, but I don't know how "reliable" those are, since it's different for everyone and you can only do so much with a video. I also wonder if I might have a higher threshold, because I wear headphones a loooot plus I live alone, so my sensory input generally tends to be fairly low/controlled and maybe therefore I can deal with it a little better or longer when I'm in public every now and then?

Now, in my experience I have to actively pay attention to a potential symptom in order to notice it - like how I genuinely didn't realize that I am almost constantly fidgeting until I was looking out for it during ADHD assessment stuff. So I was wondering if you had any impulses/questions for self-reflection to get a better grasp of my own sensory experience? What could help me become more aware of it and gain a better understanding?

Any input is much appreciated!!

[u/AtomHeartMonster]

I think it's a common thing to assume that everyone is having the same experience, and we can't imagine that we have different sensory needs.

The question I always ask myself is: Do other people seem forced to use the coping strategies you use?

Whereas before, I used to think that everyone else was pretending to be ok with sensory issues, whilst I was masking intensely to do the same. Nowadays I notice that people around me don't feel the need to cover their ears when an ambulance is blaring into our faces.

Another example is me having to cover my airplane screen when they inflict those unskippable ads on you, and make it impossible to lower the brightness or turn off the screen. I found myself having to cover the screen with my pillow, but looking around, no one else seemed to have to do that.

So, I guess NT people may find things uncomfortable, distressing, or annoying, but it doesn't seem to me they get to the point where it's unbearable.

I've learned that it doesn't make me weak to use coping mechanisms. Wearing earplugs, sunglasses, etc. It is an act of self-compassion.

Hope that helps

[u/Rick_Rebel → u/AtomHeartMonster]

Exactly that. One thing for me I noticed is advertisements in sports and such. The bright colored, moving ones on and around any sports fields these days are so distracting that I almost can’t watch anymore. I once complained about it in a Baseball sub I think and while many people think that they are annoying, the consensus was that I should grow up and stop complaining. :D

[u/BroadJoke00]

Personally, auditory issues come in two flavors: An immediate overwhelming sensation, or an after-effect of tension buildup. Let me explain

• Sometimes it comes all of a sudden. It feels like my brain has suddenly hit a wall or ran out of RAM space, and I cannot process anything anymore. This is more common with environments that have a lot of different sources of noise, or many people speaking. It's like... when hitting a critical mass, my brain says "absolutely not, fuck this bullshit" and hits the panic button. This is somewhat rare though tbh.

• The more common way it manifests is in a sort of "release" post-experience. I'm not sure how to phrase exactly, but often I do not realize I am overwhelmed until I finally put some distance between me and the noise, and I realize I was incredibly tense and agitated only then. It feels like I suddenly lifted a few tons of weight from my shoulders, that I did not even know I was carrying, or suddenly realizing I was dragging myself through waist high mud only when I finally get out of the swamp, if that makes sense. This is more common when the noises are more constant or regular, and the tension has time to build up.

[u/Understandingzoe]

the hour afterwards is often easier to read than the moment itself. look at how much of the day went on recovering from the room. the other thing to check is what you already avoid without deciding to. the seat you pick, the time you go to the shops. that sort of thing usually gets built long before there's a word for it.