Autistic Spectrum People and Being Touched

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My sesory issues have changed recently, and I believe it's due to my new medication.

Up until just recently I hated pretty much all types of touch. Hugs, firm or soft, made me feel claustraphobic. A light touch is awful--I involuntarily shiver, and have to wipe the sensation off my skin.

My issues with light touch have remained the same (perhaps a bit worse), but I have been more responsive to hugs. In fact, I think I crave hugs a bit now.

I don't mind handshakes.

When someone barely touches me, I flinch. Not because it hurts, but because I don't like to be touched except by people to whom I am very close, and surprise touches throw me off anyway. But tickling actually physically hurts me, so I had to let me wife know early on during the dating stage that she couldn't tickle me. She doesn't understand the pain thing so she thinks I overreact and sometimes tries to tickle me, but I get very angry from it and am no longer in the mood to play around if she does that.

OK, try this on fer' size; I'm a middle aged man, I work in a professional environment with all the associated courtesies.

I avoid having to shake hands (ie be touched ) by any other where ever possible; if they don't proffer their hand, great. otherwise I'm as pleasant and considerate as you like.

No one to my knowledge has ever commented on / noticed this.

I've wondered if maybe it's OCD?

Thanks for the comments. It seems that light touch bothers most of you. But I like the light touch, but do agree with Ryn, I have to wipe off the sensation left by the light touch---scratch it off. I stim this way---I lightly run my fingers across my face/neck, then scratch it off. Odd looking I know, but that's one of my stims.

I was trying to comment on everyone's comments---but there are so many coming in that I can't keep up with making comments. But I am reading each one and am pleased that you have taken this forum seriously for me. I am learning a lot from this in understanding this issue with those of us who are autistic. Keep the comments coming. Thanks.

soft touch is like burning
firm touch or squeezing is ok
from family or close friends

from others it is not as much the sensation i fear, but the fact it is odd,
i don't what to do, i feel very uncomfortable, think i'm not going to react as is needed,
so if the person is very natural and guides me, it might be alright.
but most people get strange when they feel i'm uncertain and then it gets weird.

some people i really can't stand they touch me at all, because of their attitude, too rude, or unpredictable

I hate being touched however lightly by anyone except close family members

I rock, but I more often tap, and i love playing with my hair, between tapping and playing with my hair, I;m not sure which one I prefer more.... Although I strongly hate the rocking when people can see me.

I dislike being hugged, especially by people I don't know well. I'm learning to tolerate it, but I endure it rather than enjoy it. My family aren't huggers, so I've only really had to deal with this as an adult.

I much prefer firm touch. A light touch feels really creepy and I have to rub it away. Even then, I can feel it for a while afterwards, and it creeps me out.

I like getting the soles of my feet stroked, but only firm strokes from just below my toes down to my heel. If the stroking is too light it feels horrible, and I can't stand having the upper part of my feet touched at all.

I'm not aspie, but I've considered myself a cousin for a while, and am considering whether to ask my GP to refer me for an assessment.

My son is almost certainly autistic - awaiting assessment - and his pain perception is definately unusual. Last summer he had two huge abscesses in the gum above his upper incisors. He felt no pain at all, and I only knew they were there because I could see them.

The pain thing I would say is definitly a sensory issue, I am somewhat more sensitive to pain, or at least it is something I experience as much worse than it is, but I can also tune out my pain very easily.

I just don't like unexpected touching. I can't immediately tell if I'm being attacked or what is going on. If I know ahead of time, even two seconds before someone touches me, then I'm fine.

But then I also hate it when strangers or less familiar people touch me at all. Above post was referring to immediate family only.

I really don't like being touched. Like I can finally handle hugs but not tight ones. Like girls you know ant hugs and I kinda stand there. Like hugging is till awkward. Usually I wait for them to hug first. Now if you are going to touch me I would prefer light and soft. Like one touch I can handle is my one guy friend rubbing my head. Like he goes and messes up my hair. He does ti light but it feels good.