Autism & Social Anxiety

One big factor contributing to social anxiety for autistic individuals is sensory overload. Imagine walking into a room buzzing with chatter, bright lights, and whooshing sounds—what might be stimulating to some can feel like a sensory tsunami to other autistic individuals.

Let’s break it down:

• Sensory Diversity: Autistic people can sometimes experience the world with heightened sensitivity to various things. What might seem like regular background noise to some could be magnified and perceived as unbearably loud for others. Similarly, bright lights or even specific textures can provoke intense reactions. This can even go beyond what is experienced by the 5 senses.
• Difficulty Filtering Information: Imagine trying to listen to someone talking while simultaneously processing the flickering of fluorescent lights and the scent of someone’s perfume—it’s like trying to focus on a single conversation amid a sensory nightmare. For autistic individuals, these stimuli can all compete for attention at the same intensity, making it incredibly challenging to filter out what’s important from what’s overwhelming.
• Impact on Social Interaction: In social settings, sensory overload can be particularly challenging. It can distract from conversations, make it hard to maintain eye contact or process facial expressions, and even lead to physical discomfort and anxiety. It’s like trying to dance to a tune when the volume is cranked up to maximum—it’s tough to catch the rhythm or feel comfortable moving.
• Coping Strategies: Some ways to navigate this sensory gauntlet. First, accepting that your sensory challenges are valid and are worth caring for can be a great step, as it helps lower the risk to mask and to hide our distress. Next, giving ourself permission to cope. Using tools to help limit sensory exposure can help to lower stress. Communication accommodations can also help lower anxiety, like asking another to speak differently.