You’ve heard of hypersensitivity. Now get ready for...
Issues With Hyposensitivity/Undersensitivity in Autism
Many people on the autism spectrum have difficulty processing everyday sensory information. Any of the senses may be over- or under-sensitive, or both, at different times.
Sight and Hyposensitivity
Objects appear quite dark or lose some of their features.
Central vision is blurred but peripheral vision quite sharp.
A central object is magnified but things on the periphery are blurred.
Poor depth perception, problems with throwing and catching, clumsiness.
Sound and Hyposensitivity
May only hear sounds in one ear, the other ear having only partial hearing or none at all.
May not acknowledge particular sounds.
Might enjoy crowded, noisy places or bang doors and objects.
Smell and Hyposensitivity
Some people have no sense of smell and fail to notice extreme odours.
Some people may lick things to get a better sense of what they are.
Touch and Hyposensitivity
Holds others tightly - needs to do so before there is a sensation of having applied any pressure.
Has a high pain threshold.
May be unable to feel food in the mouth.
May self-harm.
Enjoys heavy objects (eg weighted blankets) on top of them.
Chews on everything, including clothing and inedible objects.
Proprioception and Vestibular Hyposensitivity
A need to rock, swing or spin to get some sensory input.
Stands too close to others, because they cannot measure their proximity to other people and judge personal space.
Finds it hard to navigate rooms and avoid obstructions.
May bump into people.
Text (apart from the title) taken from: https://www.autism.org.uk/about/behaviour/sensory-world.aspx
