Help: Aspie/Autie Sensory Experiences in the Environment???

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Hi all,

I am hoping some of you will help me with the beginning stages of a
project about aspie/autie sensory experiences of the environment. I
am mildly aspie, and as I have learned more about Asperger’s/Autism I
have become more aware of my own “peculiar” sensory responses.

Recently, a few researchers developed what they call the “salience
landscape theory.” Salience is, more or less, what jumps out at you.
Details are in a SI article here: PDF.

In essence, we respond emotionally to stuff around us. These
responses tend to be predictable for most people (neruotypicals) but
can be quite diverse for aspies and auties.

I, for example, have a positive emotional response to particular
patterns and details in the environment that other people don’t seem
to react to at all. Conversely, I freak out at fast moving objects
(particularly if close to me – they “lunge” at me), dogs (because they
might bark), fluorescent lights (the buzz and flicker), etc.

If you could measure a person’s emotional responses as they move
through the environment (inside or outside), you could then map these
responses – in essence a map of the “salience” landscape (my ultimate
goal).

So: if you were going to map the emotional significance of stuff in
your environment – particularly those that you think may distinguish
you from neurotypicals – what details would you map? These can be
those things that freak you out, but also positive emotional
responses.

Thanks in advance for any help, and I will certainly share details
about the project in the future, as it develops.

fG

this is really impossible to write down a comprehensive response to, although i think it's an interesting question.

The one thing I've really been aware of recently is that I like to be boxed in on as many sides as possible. Sometimes at work I pull the drawers in my desk out around me because it just feels better.

I would think most people would tell you they hate fast moving, unpredictable objects. My most hated is things people have thrown - footballs flying through the air, and so on.

I will try to think of more later.