Which of the 5 senses dominates your autism sensitivity?

[kriss72]

I think people assume they can just change my perspective or desensitize me so I can become normal. This same therapist actually said I need exposure therapy to get over some of my autism symptoms. The truth is that I just want friends, and a job. I don’t care that I am different.

Does that therapist know about autism? So basically they want to teach you to mask - just saw your second post above, ok, that sounds like they don't have any idea about autism - there are much better therapists out there, is there anyway you can change them? I'm worried they will do more damage than good for you...

 

[Lilacleia16]

Does that therapist know about autism? So basically they want to teach you to mask - just saw your second post above, ok, that sounds like they don't have any idea about autism - there are much better therapists out there, is there anyway you can change them? I'm worried they will do more damage than good for you...

He’s just a counselor he’s not even an autism specialist but yeah I think he wants to teach me to mask better. I see an autism specialist too. She’s cool. Everyone has an opinion about what I need. A previous counselor thought I needed empathy training.

 

[kriss72]

Is there any way the autism specialist could talk to your counselor? I went to one to learn about my diagnosis, and she was happy (if I payed for her time) to work with my pedagogue/counselor. I'm lucky my pedagogue has many experience working with autists, so she is a great help for me - and she can sometimes spot when I mask, like "Kriss, I think you are masking now, and just saying yes to what I say, how about we do it this way instead.." she never even tried to give me her hand for saying hi or goodbye.

 

[Rodafina]

In order of severity:

Smell
Sight (light)
Touch
Hearing
Taste

But they all end up in a mishmash of unpleasant chaos, sometimes.

I also wanted to mention that I experience these senses in an extremely positive way, too. Sensory overwhelm can be difficult, but there are times when my sensory experiences bring me great joy.

For example:

Calming smells like the rain, a hint of lavender, or a campfire

The beautiful playfulness of lights and shadows

The leaves of trees silhouetted against a twilight sky

The feeling of a perfectly soft and heavy blanket

The precious softness of my dog's ears

The faintest sound of the birds waking up at 3:00am

The patterns of sound that ocean waves make

There's so many more, too. Sometimes our senses can give us trouble, but sometimes, they can bring great joy, intrigue, and curiosity.