Autism is used to describe neurological differences in brain development, and sensory differences in how our brain perceives and processes information.

My autistic brain changes the way I am able to interact with others and how I live my life. It is because of autism that I struggle to digest the information I am presented with. With too much information, it’s hard to make sense of all of it.

My strategy is to try to block other things out, whilst I deal with the issue, or problem. If I struggle to find a resolve on an issue or problem, blocking it out until such a time I can find a resolve, doesn't work.

I need to learn to focus, but anyone with autism will tell you that’s not easy. I’m not adept at blocking out chaos. If I have a concern or worry, it stays a concern and worry until I find a resolve. If I can't find a resolve, the worry or issue blows up.

With autism, our neurological differences in brain development has a marked effect on how we develop. Anyone who is on the spectrum will have individual educational needs to be met in the following areas:

Social understanding

Differences in understanding the feelings of others and social behaviour, which encourages development of relationships and friendships.

Differences in perception

Understanding concepts, predicting, generalising, planning, managing transitions, ability to absorb auditory or spoken information and passion for interests. Communication image, what communication looks like, and what form it should take, and communication itself.

Differences in understanding

Differences in understanding and expressing language and communication, with skills ranging from individuals being articulate to highly articulate, to others who may be non-verbal.

Good language skills can mask a deeper level of misunderstanding, for example, being articulate means others may assume you understand and you’re not autistic.

Sensory processing

Differences in perceiving sensory information, hyper (high sensitivity) or hypo (low sensitivity), touch, hearing, smell, taste, sight, inner ear balance and body awareness. Information processing and interests.

Conclusion

When it comes to sensory processing, I have high and low sensitivities that manifest in different ways in my daily life. Although I struggle with both, around social understanding, differences in perceptions and differences in understanding, my intuition and spirituality helps pave the way.

I am sensitive to touch and struggle with high pitched and loud noises, but can hear people talking at low volumes, even through a whisper. I also struggle with smells, although taste and sight are not affected.

Now at aged fifty-eight, and twelve years into the start of my cerebral palsy journey, for the first time I now understand my mental, emotional and physical disabilities, the disabilities I didn't know I had.

Source: https://www.autismeducationtrust.org.uk