Thinking about the range of ways sensory experiences differ across senses and how this varies from person to person.
Considering how sensory behaviours such as avoiding spaces, seeking certain textures, or covering ears can communicate a need, preference, or level of comfort.
Reflecting on how sensory needs that go unrecognised can be misinterpreted, and what a more informed response might look like.
Exploring what personalised strategies and environmental adjustments can make a real difference to everyday comfort and wellbeing.
Noticing the difference between sensory distress and sensory seeking, and why both are valid parts of the autistic experience.
The host visits an indoor market with Dr Luke Bearden, a researcher in autistic sensory experiences, to explore what the environment feels like from an autistic perspective. Dr Bearden explains that autistic people often perceive more sensory information than others because the brain filters out less of what it receives from the environment. The video shows both sides of sensory experience: distress and overwhelm from too much input, and the pleasure and comfort that certain sensory experiences can bring. The video presents sensory difference as a natural part of being autistic rather than something that needs to be corrected.
• What did you notice about the way Dr Bearden described how autistic people experience sensory environments?
• Is there a sensory experience that feels particularly intense or overwhelming for you?
• What helps you manage or recover from a situation that has been too much for your senses?
• Is there a sensory experience you actively seek out because it feels calming or enjoyable?
• Has a sensory need of yours ever been misunderstood by someone around you?
• What would have helped them understand what you were experiencing?
• What environments or conditions help your senses feel settled and comfortable?
• What do you wish more people understood about your sensory experience?
The questions within this guide are designed to open dialogue and facilitate discussion around the relevant topics. It is up to the user to adapt as needed to best suit the person they are supporting. A neuroaffirming approach was central to the design of these resources and remains essential to their application. This means recognising and respecting the diverse ways people think, communicate, and experience the world, ensuring all conversations are led with curiosity, respect, and without judgement. These resources are a starting point. Trust your knowledge of the person you are supporting to shape the conversation from there.
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