Too much or too little: hyper- and hypo-reactivity in high-functioning autism spectrum conditions.

BACKGROUND: Sensory reactivity in people with autism spectrum conditions (ASC) has been found to differ in comparison to reactivity in people without ASC. In this study sensory experiences of high-functioning individuals with ASC were explored and described.

METHOD: Interview data from 15 participants with a diagnosis of ASC were analysed by content analysis.

RESULTS: Seven aspects of sensory experiences were identified: Being hyper- and hypo-reactive, reacting to general overload, having strong stimuli preferences, managing attentiveness to stimuli, managing sensory/motor stimuli, and dealing with consequences of sensory reactions in daily life.

CONCLUSIONS: The categorisation of sensory reactivity in this study can guide clinicians on how to pose questions about sensory issues to individuals with ASC. The assessment of spectrum-specific sensory experiences in high-functioning ASC and their association with other social and nonsocial features of ASC are goals for further research.