Obsessions + Sensory Problems = ??? (Caution: Cat Talk)

Post Reply New Topic

So... I love cats. Am, in fact, obsessed with them.

A while ago, I posted a rant about being kicked out of our local, government-run animal shelter because "visitors might think I worked there". Not only did they euthanize adoptable animals and refuse to run a volunteer program; but they turned away the one (and probably more) person who actually cared to help.

Today I visited a shelter that is about eight miles from where I live. It's a no-kill cat shelter, and much bigger than the local shelter--there are 400 cats there, as opposed to about 40 at the government place. The cats live in rooms, fifteen of them in each room, instead of cages; and there are chairs and rugs for them, and window ledges, a sun-roof, food, water, and litter in each room. Most of the cats are adults; and they are all well-fed and mostly healthy (twenty cats were caged in the vet clinic). The place is completely volunteer-run, except for one veterinarian, who is paid a salary; and they also run trap-neuter-release clinics for ferals.

But here is the problem: Aspies often have sensory problems. And I am an Aspie.

The place smells like Pine-Sol (a strong-smelling cleaner) mixed with cat urine. They tell me that the litter in the boxes is due to be completely changed tomorrow (rather than just scooped), so I smelled the place at its worst. Some of the cats don't use the litter boxes sometimes; so there is pee on the floor in a couple of the rooms. But the smell, which didn't seem to bother anyone there, was noticeable and highly bothersome to me.

The shelter is well-lit. With flourescent lights. Flickflickflickflickflick.... Arrgh!

I had a headache by the end of the three hours I spent there.

But the cats... Oh, the cats! Cats of every color, shape, and size... one-eyed cats, fat cats, old cats, a cat with only three legs. Cats pointed like Siamese and tabby-patterned and calico and pure white, even a weird-looking Cornish Rex with short curly fur, softer than velvet. Cats so shy that you couldn't look at them directly without scaring them; cats which came up and demanded attention or even jumped up to your shoulders, an escape artist who would take every opportunity to dart for a door... a tiny black kitten so spoiled that he'd cry whenever he wasn't being held!

If I didn't have these sensory problems... smell and flourescent lights... I would love, love, love it there! I have to overcome this. I may be an Aspie, but I'm not at the mercy of these sensory problems, am I?

I agreed to work there this Saturday. Two days from now. I'm too cat-starved not to have agreed.

I think I could stand the smells if it weren't for the flourescents; and I could stand the flourescents if it weren't for the smells. But with them together, I couldn't think straight after a while, and had a headache on top of it. And my social skills broke down... I told the lady who headed the shelter, in her husband's presence, that I "would scrub myself thoroughly in the shower" tonight, because my roommate had allergies. Talk about faux pas.

Well, at least I know it's a faux pas. That's progress.

So how do I deal with this sensory-overload stuff? I'm NOT giving up the chance to help out with these cats!!

Immerse yourself in looking after the cats, until the sensory issues are forgotten.

I agree with focusing on the cats - and maybe just maybe the place will smell better after the litter is changed - though I doubt it if they are still using the same cleaners. But if you work there long enough maybe you can help come up with ways to neutralize the odors instead of masking them with Pine-Sol (or Lysol) which tends to magnify them instead.

To the other thoughts I'll toss out an idea based on something that worked for my son. He was having terrible problems with food odors when it came time to start eating in the school cafeteria. Heck, I have problems with the cafeteria odors myself! What I did for him was send along a substitute scent in his lunch box. In his case he really liked several scents of Yankee Candles so I bought one of those thingies for hanging in the car and stuck it in his lunch box. When he opened up his lunch box he got a blast of smell he really liked instead to help mask the cafe odor assault. He used it quite a bit those first weeks and then wanted to keep it in there in a plastic bag "just in case".

I know of a little girl who they found a scented ring to wear so she could use it inconspicuously throughout the day. If you google scented jewelry or aromatherapy jewelry there's some stuff out there. Of course finding something that's more tolerable than the Pine Sol would be key here.

For years I have carried an Indian "medicine bag" with me everywhere I went, filled with mint and other herbs that I like the smell of. In case I get into an olfactory overload, I can maintain my composure by an occasional sniff of something refreshing. Various mints, lavender and sages are powerfully scented, also, but it doesn't hurt.

Maybe after you get your foot in the door, you can implement the use of more natural cleaners.

Can't help you with the lighting, other than sometimes some colored glasses can help with the wierd color temperature spectrum that flourescents put out. You're stuck with the vibration and noise, but it helps a lot to make sure the tubes and ballasts are all working up to par.

Mainly, just enjoy the cats and keep your focus on them.

The mind is a powerful thing. Learn to control it. Focus on the cats. If you turn all your focus and attention to the cats, the sensory issues will not seem as bad. In my experience, this has worked well. (I've been able to work through all the senses almost completely- except for sound.)

Wear light coloured sunglasses or tinted regular glasses. This will hopefully help with the lighting.

If you can stand wearing perfume (or any type of scent), wear some and if you're ever really overwhelmed by the scent of PineSol, put your hand close to your face and smell your wrist. You can pretend like you're just scratching your nose or something like that.

Keep your focus on the cats and things should be fine.

I'm glad you found another shelter, your previous post made me really sad.

For the lights, try out some sunglasses. It certainly won't make them not flicker, but it might make the flicker a little more "dull."

For the odor, one of the things I do might help you. I have scented oils that I like the smell of, which you can get at lots of places for not much money. Or can use regular perfume too. I put the scented oil on the inside of my elbow in the morning. Then when I get overwhelmed during the day, I pull up my sleeve and bury my nose in the crook of my arm for a couple of seconds. If you bend your arm when you do it, and really get your nose in there, it can block out the other smells fairly well.

Of course, you can also make sure that you take fairly frequent breaks to go outside and just sit for a few minutes. That gives you a break from both the lights AND the smell.

I like that bit. It reminds me of a StarTrek (OS) episode where they were looking for a person who was supposedly murdered, and the ships computer could hear all the heartbeats onboard. After sync'ing all the heartbeats with a microphone the only one left, unaccounted for, was the one person who was faking his murder.

That's kind of like what I do to deal with overloads. If I can "locate" and "sync-up" with whatever is bothering me, I can shunt it safely away, usually for quite a while. The problem comes when it's just too much info, all at once ... and I can't break it down into manageable portions.

Callista,
Focus on the reason you are going there in the first place ... your little feline friends. Help clean the place up a little. If the Pine-Sol is bothering you this much, imagine how bad it is for the cats.

Yeah, you're right--cats notice EVERYTHING. Smells and sounds and sights my Aspie senses don't see, a cat will notice; and then I'll look/listen/sniff at what the cat is, and finally get it myself. Honestly, I think cats are furry Aspies sometimes; only for them, it's not atypical. Passing cars, a shadow on the wall, the heavy smell of dog on my jacket... they notice it all. I think I notice things more than NTs to the same degree that cats notice things more than I do. Cats don't seem to block anything out.

Has anybody tried a baseball cap for blocking out light-flicker? I think it might look better than glasses; sunglasses would look weird indoors, and I already look weird enough, what with my short hair and finger-tapping and pedantic speech and lack of driver's license.

It all depends on whether I can get used to wearing a baseball cap though. I'm not used to wearing hats, except for my bicycle helmet. Probably better than flourescents though.

Perfume is right out--it's as bad as Pine-sol. But something minty... mint candy or gum. I've always loved mint.

Perfume is out for me, too. It was just a random idea that I realized when two electrons happened to collide in my head.

If you can get used to wearing a baseball cap indoors, by all means, it sounds like a good idea. The only drawback that I would have is that many people consider it disrespectful to wear hats inside.

Instead of sunglasses, if you need prescription glasses, tinted ones work well. Just make sure you get a tinted colour that you do not have a problem with.

I think cats may be furry aspies, too. That would explain why it seems to be that many people who are either on the spectrum or close to being so enjoy cats- if allergies are not a problem!

A baseball cap in this particular casual volunteer work setting should be fine. It would likely be seen just as a way to keep her hair back while she works.

Agreed, the baseball cap should not be a problem. It's PC for ladies to wear hats of any kind indoors in the US (not sure where you are from), and removal for the National Anthem various by location.

Give it a try!

Not something you might be able t do right away but long term goal....I am sure the place is run on a limited budget and money is an issue on the products they use and even the number of cat litter changes they can afford.Perhaps you could contact "earth friendly company"(in writing)and tell them about this organization and what they do for animals.Perhaps they would be willing to "donate" cleaning supplies and environmental litters in exchange for free advertising in the building or on whatever pamphlets etc.,that this place uses to solicite funds.It is a "win win situation in my mind......but maybe to logical to appeal to a "company mindset"...nothing to lose by trying though.

smells....I love the smell of Eucalyptus...I carry vicks everywhere with me and sometimes rub some on my wrists or throat....other people probably think I smell weird but my cats seem to like it.And I know whose opinion I value more.

I'm reading a book at the moment that was recommended to me by a couple of people here, which is about sensory overstimulation, it's called
'Too loud, too bright, too fast, too tight' by Sharon Heller. It mentions flourescent lights and also strong smells...I think this book would be helpful for you.

I would definitely try the baseball cap suggestion to cut down on the glare.
Plus the chewing gum or whatever you like, and popping outside for a break every now and then if you feel that you're getting too wound up. Having those lovely kitties around will help; ah, can't think of a nicer way to spend a day than being surrounded by cats. I hope your first day goes well.

Hi Callista, yes I know the feeling! I have started some evening classes and the fluorescant lights flickering sends me nuts! Headaches, eye pain, low mood, dizziness. The place smells of schools too but its the lights that are most troublesome. I am looking into sensory integration stuff I am doing some exercises through the INPP as I have neuro developmental delay and this apparently gives rise to perceptual problems such as sensitivity to noise, lights, odours etc. I really do think that the light thing is due to not just due to the brain processing information incorrectly but it must be linked to the eyes too. I will find some helpful websites for you and post them for you.

I don't know if you are in the US or Uk but there is a good room deodorising spray in the UK called OUST which is effective at removing nasty smells and it is fairly fragrance free.