Senses and Sensibilities: An Inside View On Sensory Issues Towards Greater Understanding

The variation in perception of sensory stimuli for many with autism often causes great discomfort, and the information received may be not even be usable. The aim of this presentation is to enable susceptible individuals and those close to them to avoid and minimize the effect of sensory overload through easy-to-implement solutions, thereby enabling those with sensory issues to lead fulfilling and productive lives. The inclusion of sensory issues in the narrative of the new Diagnositic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM 5), that will be released in May of 2013, suggests greater formal recognition of sensory processing dysfunction as a characteristic of the autism spectrum.

Following a brief introduction of the presenter, the workshop opens with an activity giving participants a sense (no pun intended) of what sensory overload may feel like to a person on the autism spectrum.  The next part of the presentation focuses on the neurology of sensory processing and how dysfunction in this area contributes to sensory issues that many on the autism spectrum experience. 

Using personal examples from the presenter, others on the autism spectrum, and case studies, the next portion of the presentation examines what teachers, social works, those in the medical fields, and others supporting those with autism will notice when  sensory processing dysfunction is occurring for an individual in school, at home, at work, and in the community.  These observation are followed by practical solutions for developing accommodations to help these individual regular their sensory system. 

The workshop ends with a review of the numorous books, DVDs, equipment, and assessment instruments such as the Sensory Profile by Winnie Dunn and Catana Brown that exist for helping on supporting a person with autism in determining a person's sensory profile in order to develop appropriate accommodations and treatment for ameliorating sensory issues.