Autism/Asperger's

This is similar but different than Autisim. I post this hoping it helps someone. I know many of people with Aspergers and Autisim, and understand them a lot because of a Sensory disorder. I actually understand people with spectrum disorders still more than people without. It's kind of hard to explain but the symptoms and a lot of what others see appear the same. I have felt a lot of similar things and try and explain when I can because I am able now. I wasn't able to express myself for a long time and so try to let people know I may be able to explain a little what someone else may not be able too. On the off chance it would help someone I just had to post. I hope that makes sence.

 

I haven't been officially diagnosed but I have a lot of sensory issues myself. 

For example I always wear skirts because the feel of pant legs bothers me and has since I was a little girl.  I dislike being touched, especially unexpectedly.  Back rubs especially bother me.  Loud music has always bothered me as well. 

Have you read "The Out of Sync Child?"  It's all about raising kids with sensory integratioin problems.  I read it a few years ago and it was like reading my own autobiography.

Sometimes I think I understand people with aspergers and autism more than I understand people without also.  I probably live somewhere on the edge between aspergers and not.

I have read it, that's how I knew, before I was thought to have something Similar to Aspergers. It was because I saw it that I went in and was evaluated and thought to have something different. I can't be diagnosed without a doubt because I am older now, but they have no doubt I have some sensory intigration problems. 

I help people with many disabilities, but at work they appreciate my abilitiy and so when someone is having a hard time no one can understand, I go and usually can find out what's going on. Not always help but I deffinately work well with people who have either disorder.

I agree it feels like I'm on the edge between, and want people to know more about us. I do still have sensory problems, but people too now appreciate my differences for the good that is also there. I hope others get that someday too. Glad to know someone else, you are the first other person I have heard from outside of books.  

 

I have a couple of friends with sensory issues.  One of them, like me, is trying to make a career out of working with kids with autism and other developmental disabilities.  At work I love taking care of kids with autism and trying to help translate between them and their parents.  It's like being am ambassador!

That is exactly what I do really, and have done for so long now. I have been called many times to come help when no one else understands and I often can. I feel like it's an opportunity for some of us to use how we are. It's not something everyone can do, I have had so many people helped so much that for me it's such a great thing. I hope you find it just as rewarding always, and I promise sometime down the road it will come back, a child or family that you helped, you will see you probably made a bigger impact than it seemed at the time. After 11 years, volunteer before that too, I have seen great things years later that I didn't even know I was doing. It can help more than you realize now even, and I am so glad to know others are doing the same. I am glad for you and your friend, I know you will likely make a huge difference no matter how long you work with kids or anyone with Autisim or other Disabilities. I hope you have a long and happy career.

I have sensory issues.  My primary dx is CP  but I  have been addressing sensory stuff lately.  I recently installed a swing and I am trying to use that.  I also do a lot with oral motor strategies ("chewies" are great for me).

I find the sensory integration stuff fascinating.  I'd love to talk with other adults who deal with it.

 

Jen

I have CP too.  I figure whatever caused problems in the motor centers of my brain also caused the sensory stuff.

I'm mostly sensory overreactive.  I don't do well in noisy chaotic situations partly due to the noise and partly when people are bustling around I'm afraid I might get knocked over and fall.

Visual I do OK.  Well except for around strobe lights.  And having no visual spacial processing skills.  But I'm not sure this is a sensory integration problem (although again I suspect the same brain damage process)

Tactile, that's where I get into trouble.  I dislike being touched unexpectedly especially from the back.  I can touch people when I dance or handshake or other ritualized things.  I do hug my friends and family sometimes, but overall I'm not a "touchy" person.  I think one of the reasons I've never been interested in dating is that I can't imagine wanting to hold hands with someone (besides when asuring the safety of a young child) let alone kissing let alone true intimacy.  I almost dropped out of a chorus becuase we had to give each other backrubs at rehearsals.  

 I can handle wet things on my hands (like clay) but get very distracted by dry dusty things on them or just dryness from overwashing.  I find wearing most pants very uncomfortable, also sneakers becuase they are too soft.  Sometimes I find myself thinking "Take this off take this off take this off" the whole time I am forced to wear them, which I have been for school or work.  Don't have much of a problem with labels.

I'm not too oral motor, but I do still suck my thumb when no one else is around, so maybe I am!

Have you heard of Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)? I was just reading an article today about it from Time Magazine. They are questioning whether it's a legit diagnosis since it hasn't been accepted into the DSM And some people are skeptical.

Here's the article:

 http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1689216,00.html?imw=Y

And here's an informative site I found about SPD-there's an adult checklist too so I thought it might be helpful to see if you relate to the symptoms.

http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/