Autism with and without serious sensory issues?

[vergil96]

So I talked with a neurodivergent friend and he says he has a difficult time with it but can pick out convos in a restaurant, and I can't even if I try. And he goes to a supermarket and finds it exhausting, because many stimuli, but he doesn't feel sick from noises and smells. He also doesn't experience some of the sounds as painful or rage-inducing or panic attack inducing. Same with traffic. But he "looks more autistic" than I do and had social difficulties and I don't, at least not the same level, I know what people feel more or less, that there are different subtexts, I know how they feel. I find small talk to be extremely boring, though, and I don't really make friends with people who aren't passionate about coding and/or Linux, lol. He said his gf is more autistic than he is and she experiences things the same way I do. Does that make sense to you? Do you know what he is talking about? Idk, if most people experience autism how he does, then it makes sense that nobody noticed that I had autism all these years. That people are able to just concentrate on something and weed the other stimuli out. Or that they get exhausted by the large amount of information (I have a relatively good capacity for that), but don't straight up have a meltdown from something relatively common (I often do). I'm trying to figure out what he meant and if there is something that explains why our experiences are so different.

 

[Ronald Zeeman]

That is why I do not go to malls large crowds, did not know about autism until I was in my fifties. Just thought it was my personal quirks.

 

[Neonatal RRT]

So I talked with a neurodivergent friend and he says he has a difficult time with it but can pick out convos in a restaurant, and I can't even if I try. And he goes to a supermarket and finds it exhausting, because many stimuli, but he doesn't feel sick from noises and smells. He also doesn't experience some of the sounds as painful or rage-inducing or panic attack inducing. Same with traffic. But he "looks more autistic" than I do and had social difficulties and I don't, at least not the same level, I know what people feel more or less, that there are different subtexts, I know how they feel. I find small talk to be extremely boring, though, and I don't really make friends with people who aren't passionate about coding and/or Linux, lol. He said his gf is more autistic than he is and she experiences things the same way I do. Does that make sense to you? Do you know what he is talking about? Idk, if most people experience autism how he does, then it makes sense that nobody noticed that I had autism all these years. That people are able to just concentrate on something and weed the other stimuli out. Or that they get exhausted by the large amount of information (I have a relatively good capacity for that), but don't straight up have a meltdown from something relatively common (I often do). I'm trying to figure out what he meant and if there is something that explains why our experiences are so different.

Although there are some common core characteristics that identify us as "autistics", there is a significant amount of neurodiversity within the population. So, what you are describing is not uncommon, at all. Everyone's sensory experience is different. Hyper and hypo sensitivities comparing one autistic individual to another is common, as is our cognitive performances under certain stimuli. You don't have to be on this forum for long to identify with this phenomenon.

The primary explanation for this phenomenon comes from the underlying anatomy and physiology of the autistic brain. There's at least 3 different morphological brain types. Neuronal migrational patterns in the autistic brain tend to have an identifiable pattern, but can vary. Some areas are associated with higher and lower conductivity (voltage) and connectivity (wire connections), as well as, the neurons, themselves having either too many or too few synaptic connections. Astrocytes, glial cell, and other cells within the matrix of the brain have altered concentrations, effecting immune functions, oxidant-to-antioxidant ratios, and neurotransmitter concentrations. Furthermore, sometimes areas of the brain, normally separated, will have cross-over connections leading to synesthesia (numbers and colors, sound and smell, etc.). Then, there are the several hundred genetic/epigenetic variations with DNA, and the thousands of genetic/epigenetic variations with RNA. Basically, the amount of diversity within the autistic population is nearly infinite. THEN, throw in the life experience, the environmental factors, emotional trauma, etc. to add to the psychological and psychiatric components.

It's mind-blowing when you step back and think about it.

 

[Progster]

I'm not sure one can say there is more autism or less autism in an autistic person, just different autism. It's a spectrum, after all. Those who appear to be more autistic often have other comorbids which mean that certain aspects of their autism might be more prominent or more difficult for them to mask or cope with. Sensory sensitivity can vary from individual, and also from day to day for a person according to the amount of stress they are experiencing. If I'm tired or stressed, it's like a floodgate opened, and stimuli that I previously managed to ignore can no longer be coped with.

 

[vergil96]

Those who appear to be more autistic often have other comorbids which mean that certain aspects of their autism might be more prominent or more difficult for them to mask or cope with.

Do you mean certain kinds of comorbids?

Hm, I also got the impression that since I learn well and quickly, I can figure my way out of this, and some autistic peple struggle with mkre difficulties be it memorizing or in general, they're occupied with dealing with some obstacle(s) like health or environmental factors.

If I'm tired or stressed, it's like a floodgate opened, and stimuli that I previously managed to ignore can no longer be coped with.

To some degree it also works like that for me. Although I can't cope with certain stimuli even if not tired.

 

[Progster]

Do you mean certain kinds of comorbids?

Yes, I mean: anxiety disorders, sensory processing disorder, depression, OCD, dyspraxia, that kind of thing.

 

[vergil96]

Yes, I mean: anxiety disorders, sensory processing disorder, depression, OCD, dyspraxia, that kind of thing.

Ohhh right, thank you.

 

[Aspychata]

I have moved past some sound sensory issues that l had. I don't like certain patterns on clothes, rugs, walls if they are harsh and bright, l become agitated. I will mask smells with other smells l dislike. I have become more tolerant because things do happen without much reasoning and we can't change the world for us.

 

[Aspychata]

I have turned into a no phone person. I will text. I rarely call. Which is horrible for all my relationships. I haven't told my closest friends. Some are fine with it, others think l am strange. I do this because of feeling awkward on phone calls. If l flow with the caller for the most part, l will call.

 

[vergil96]

Habituation to sensory sensitivities doesn't occur!