Is it possible to have AS but...

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Is it possible to have AS but to have no sensory problems? If so how common/uncommon is this

Edit: For example, I love the atmosphere of some big night clubs, although i never have been in one completely sober i suppose



P.S. I recently started my quest to find out once and for all if I do have AS
(seeing a proffessional soon, i'd like to gather up some information prior to it)

Last edited by zukias on 21 Mar 2011, 7:40 pm, edited 2 times in total.

How do you know you do or do not have sensory problems? I can only see what I see, I can only hear what I hear, I have no idea if others perceive things differently than me.

Yes.

It's also possible to have sensory processing problems that you're unaware of. Not all sensory problems are hypersensitivities or even hyposensitivities. Some can have more to do with how you take in and respond to information, and some only exist at a very deep and subtle level. (By which I mean, at a level that can only be discerned by scientific testing, but that you can't "feel" at a conscious level.)

As far as how many autistic people don't have obvious sensory issues, it's not the most common but it's not unheard of either.

Yes. I know an apsie online who has never had sensory issues. Mine are mild. I say minor but they were worse as a kid but occupational therapy fixed it so now they are less. Plus I have outgrown doing stuff like touching and sniffing people.

Seems like oval reasoning, not quite a perfect circle.

I've had a lot of sensory issues that I didn't realize were sensory issues at all until I'd gone over some of them with my therapist. When I started investigating the possibility that I was on the spectrum, I actually didn't think I had many sensory issues at all (aside from loud noises) because I didn't think my sensory issues were remarkable or unusual, but more and more have become apparent as sensory issues. And the realization of how much time I've spent overloaded (even putting myself into overload) without ever realizing it. And that's just the hypersensitivities, without getting into the hyposensitivities and how I respond to information.

Focusing on sensory issues can create more issues with sensory issues least psychologically.

^^This.

Since autism is by definition a sensory processing dysfunction, the simple answer to your question is no, it is not possible to have AS and not have sensory issues of some sort, but it is easily possible that you may have several sensory processing dysfunctions that you aren't aware of, because you only know your own experience and have just never had the realization that everyone else around you is NOT experiencing things the same way.

I had several "A-HA!!" epiphanies after being diagnosed, when things I'd read in the DSM that I thought didn't really describe me suddenly became clear and I realized that they DID describe what I was experiencing, I was just interpreting what I'd read the wrong way.

I only began to learn about Autism in the last year, so I do not claim to be an expert, but I don't think I have previously seen anyone suggest that sensory issues were the defining characteristic of Autism. Indeed, when I double-checked the DSM IV diagnostic criteria, I didn't see mention of sensory issues at all - unless I am very badly misreading something. Could you direct me to a source that elaborates on this as a requirement? I'd appreciate it greatly - TIA!

sensory issues are common in autistics, but not required.

there is actually nothing specific in the diagnostic criteria about sensory functioning, but some repetitive behaviors can be sensory based. for instance, certain stims are performed for their sensory stimulation.

its interesting to note that the proposed changes to dsm-v do include sensory issues. the specific proposed criteria is:
"Hyper-or hypo-reactivity to sensory input or unusual interest in sensory aspects of environment; (such as apparent indifference to pain/heat/cold, adverse response to specific sounds or textures, excessive smelling or touching of objects, fascination with lights or spinning objects)."

but whether you look at the current dsm-iv criteria, or the proposed dsm-v, neither require sensory dysfunction for diagnosis.

Well, it is called the 'spectrum' for a reason. There are no cookie cutters. You may or may not have all the same issues as others.

I always loved the expression; "They broke the mold when they made me." Now, even more so I think.

For those who want slightly more clarification to what i personally mean to having no sensory problems...
I love the atmosphere in big night clubs, something im sure most aspies would stay well clear from

eh ive just noticed your sig, howard phillips is my dads name lol

A not focusing on sensory issues can create more psychological issues. Everyone is different,

Interesting. I always feel that a lot of the differences between me and other people are very subtle, causing for less subtle, differing experiences and presentations, and I think it might have something to do with that.

i did not recognize my sensory issues as such (despite having moved because of a nearby barking dog, had outbursts at people over noises and smells, and other things) until identifying that i had AS for social and cognitive reasons. but then it became obvious quickly. my sensory issues, especially surrounding noise, are not mild. i did not realize i was perceiving certain things differently than others, and i just thought that i had an anger management problem and a problem of being almost pathologically intolerant to a lot of annoyances, and i was spaced out so often i was hardly even present to take anything in. as a consequence of talking about it in therapy also, and much time spent picking everything apart and recognizing these issues a bit better for what they are, i space out less, stim more (which i did not know i was doing either), get angry at people much much less frequently, and am very consciously pained by a lot of noises. while this sounds like things have gotten worse since the realization, it is not so. i know how to accommodate my needs better and am more functional.

as for night clubs, i find loud music sometimes actually helps me as it drowns out intermittent noises. but i have problems with the lights.