Abstract
Autistic adults commonly experience sensory reactivity differences. Sensory hyperreactivity is frequently researched, whilst hyporeactivity and seeking, and experiences across domains, e.g., vision, are often neglected. Therefore, we aimed to understand more about the sensory experiences of autistic adults. We conducted a mixed-methods study, co-produced with stakeholders; recruiting 49 autistic adults who completed an online survey. Firstly, quantitative results and content analysis enhanced our understanding of sensory input/contexts associated with sensory hyperreactivity, hyporeactivity, and seeking across modalities. Secondly, thematic analysis developed themes relating to ‘Outcomes’, ‘Control’, ‘Tolerance and management’, and ‘The role of other people’, informing a theoretical model of sensory reactivity differences in autistic adults. These findings have implications for support services and improving quality of life for autistic adults.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 3061-3075 |
| Number of pages | 15 |
| Journal | Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders |
| Volume | 52 |
| Early online date | 13 Jul 2021 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 31 Jul 2022 |
Acknowledgements
Special thanks to the autistic adults who participated in this study and those who provided feedback in the development of this project. Especially, to Aimee Fletcher, Jack Welch, Charlie Murphy and Hannah Steel for providing feedback on the findings and interpretations. Additionally, thanks to Anthony Haffey and Autism Berkshire for helping with recruitment. K. MacLennan and T. Tavassoli are funded by MQ and Autistica.Fingerprint
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