Read on Twitter
When parents say their autistic kid doesn't have auditory sensitivity, and then give out details that show that the kid (likely) has auditory sensitivity, a thread:
1. They don't want to do X because it is too loud
2. They refuse to use the bathroom at school/in public.
1/6
1. They don't want to do X because it is too loud
2. They refuse to use the bathroom at school/in public.
1/6
3. They get upset around the baby.
4. They don't want to vacuum and they go to their room when I vacuum.
5. They hate going to the cafeteria and prefer eating lunch in the library.
6. They are terrified of the puppy we got and/or hate it.
2/6
4. They don't want to vacuum and they go to their room when I vacuum.
5. They hate going to the cafeteria and prefer eating lunch in the library.
6. They are terrified of the puppy we got and/or hate it.
2/6
7. They don't like to eat at the table & instead eat alone/at a different time.
8. When I put their headphones on after they listen to a video, the volume is way too low for me! I can barely hear it!
9. They hate going to PE in the gym, or to the grocery store and/or mall.
3/6
8. When I put their headphones on after they listen to a video, the volume is way too low for me! I can barely hear it!
9. They hate going to PE in the gym, or to the grocery store and/or mall.
3/6
10. They refuse to use hand dryers in public restrooms.
11. They won't flush the toilet.
12. They don't like X crowded event with other children, or places like Chuck E. Cheese.
13. They say I talk too loudly especially on the phone.
14. They have to have the TV remote
4/6
11. They won't flush the toilet.
12. They don't like X crowded event with other children, or places like Chuck E. Cheese.
13. They say I talk too loudly especially on the phone.
14. They have to have the TV remote
4/6
15. They hate or avoid the kitchen when I empty the dishwasher.
16. They hate or avoid the kitchen when I cook especially when using the skillet.
17. They avoided the room when someone else turned the TV on and had the remote, which means it's usually louder.
5/6
16. They hate or avoid the kitchen when I cook especially when using the skillet.
17. They avoided the room when someone else turned the TV on and had the remote, which means it's usually louder.
5/6
Feel free to add more versions in the comments.
The point is,
many of us autistic people will not start by saying "I'm overwhelmed/in pain by sound." We will start by avoiding the sound, attempt to tolerate the pain, say "it's unpleasant," say we don't want to do it, etc. 6/6
The point is,
many of us autistic people will not start by saying "I'm overwhelmed/in pain by sound." We will start by avoiding the sound, attempt to tolerate the pain, say "it's unpleasant," say we don't want to do it, etc. 6/6
I'll be adding a list of other people's statements here.
Here's one more of mine:
18. They cried the first time you took them to the movie theater.
Here's one more of mine:
18. They cried the first time you took them to the movie theater.
Also general reminder that there is not just 1 type of auditory sensitivity.
We can have multiple different ones, which include:
Hyperacusis (pain w/ loud sounds)
Reduced filtering (hear all sound sources all at once)
Reduced habituation (quiet sounds become louder)
Misophonia
We can have multiple different ones, which include:
Hyperacusis (pain w/ loud sounds)
Reduced filtering (hear all sound sources all at once)
Reduced habituation (quiet sounds become louder)
Misophonia
If neurotypical people are just learning about this and want to know how it "feels" to have auditory sensitivity, that's why I wrote this: https://autisticscienceperson.com/2021/01/12/how-autistic-people-hear-the-world-auditory-chaos-and-the-search-for-silence/
If you want tips on ear protection, there's a list at the end of this post: https://www.spdstar.org/node/1661
Apparently you can use Samsung Sound's Assistant on your phone to lower the volume even further on your phone: https://twitter.com/runicrhyme/status/1359267136036884480?s=20
