People with autism struggle to integrate their senses and many of their behaviours represent their attempt to compensate for the sensory “muddle” in which they live. At times input may be overwhelming and they experience overload and meltdown. This experience is described very well by Carly Fleishmann (see “inspiration – videos” page)
In autism, pain may be expressed as sensory dysfunction because pain is processed within the same sensory and interoceptive networks that are already atypical. The person may not be able to identify or communicate the site and nature of the pain, so internal discomfort is expressed through sensory overload, intolerance of touch or clothing, agitation, repetitive movement, self-injury, or withdrawal. This should not be interpreted as purely behavioural; it may represent pain that is amplified, poorly localised, or communicated non-verbally.
• Visual
Yehoshua has typed “sometimes my vision moves up and down and I have to press on my eyeball to stabilise it”. (Specialist testing by a behavioural optometrist has verified this statement.) At times near things, seem to be far and far things seem to be near.
The picture on the right shows his total fascination with moving lights. Many times he will create for himself moving visual stimulae by twiddling an object at the periphery of his visual field, as can be seen in the photograph below.
• Tactile
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AxeM3pW1yM&w=560&h=315]
“People with autism struggle to integrate their senses and many of their behaviours represent their attempt to compensate for the sensory “muddle” in which they live. At times input may be overwhelming and they experience overload and meltdown. This experience is described very well by Carly Fleishmann (see “inspiration – videos” page) “
• Visual
Yehoshua has typed “sometimes my vision moves up and down and I have to press on my eyeball to stabilise it”. (Specialist testing by a behavioural optometrist has verified this statement.) At times near things, seem to be far and far things seem to be near.
The picture on the right shows his total fascination with moving lights. Many times he will create for himself moving visual stimulae by twiddling an object at the periphery of his visual field, as can be seen in the photograph below.
• Tactile
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AxeM3pW1yM&w=560&h=315]
People with autism struggle to integrate their senses and many of their behaviours represent their attempt to compensate for the sensory “muddle” in which they live. At times input may be overwhelming and they experience overload and meltdown. This experience is described very well by Carly Fleishmann (see inspiration – videos page)
Visual
Yehoshua has typed “Sometimes my vision moves up and down and I have to press on my eyeball to stabilise it”. (Specialist testing by a behavioural optometrist has verified this statement.) At times near things, seem to be far and far things seem to be near.
The picture below shows his total fascination with moving lights. Many times he will create for himself moving visual stimulae by twiddling an object at the periphery of his visual field.
Many people who have autism suffer from Irlen Syndrome. Tina Yates is a specialist in this area – http://www.irleneast.com/
Tactile
The video shows Yehoshua Refoel responding to the sensory discomfort he experiences in his hands. He describes them as feeling “Sensorily dead.” His feet are similarly affected. Other times, they may be hypersensitive to the extent that he is unable to tolerate either socks or footwear.
These repeated hand actions can traumatise the skin. Metanium ointment is a near miraculous healing balm. Unfortunately it is no longer being made although it is still available from E-commerce platforms at inflated prices.
The sensory challenge endured by people on the autistic spectrum are explained by autism expert Phoebe Caldwell in this VIDEO.
Auditory
At times Yehoshua Refoel is hypersensitive to sounds and may cover his ears in order to protect them. On other occasions, he may be compelled to make droning sounds so as to drown out the uncomfortable sounds his ears are perceiving. The photograph shows him enjoying Ruby whispering in his ear.
Auditory
At times Yehoshua Refoel is hypersensitive to sounds and may cover his ears in order to protect them. On other occasions, he may be compelled to make droning sounds so as to drown out the uncomfortable sounds his ears are perceiving. The photograph shows him enjoying Ruby whispering in his ear.
The following LINK is helpful in setting up a bespoke sensory-friendly home.
When sensory challenges become overwhelming, “a meltdown” results. An autistic person has described this experience as follows:
“There was a rip through the centre of my soul. Self-abuse was outward sign of an earthquake nobody saw. I was like an appliance during power surge. As I blew fuses, my hands pulled out my hair and slapped my face. My teeth bit my flesh like an animal bites the bars of its cage, not realising the cage was my own body. My legs ran around in manic circles, as though they could out-turn the body they were attached to. My head hit whatever was next to it, like someone trying to crack a nut that had grown too large for its shell. There was an overwhelming feeling of inner deafness – deafness to self that would consume all that was left in a fever of silent screaming.”
-“Responsive Communication – Combining attention to sensory issues with using body language (Intensive Interaction) to interact with autistic adults and children” Chapter 1 – Attention to sensory issues: hyper- and hypo-sensitivities. – Phoebe Caldwell
Pain Explained
Josh’s meltdowns are always pain-related probably as a result of “INTEROCEPTION“.
The short video below provides an excellent overview of pain, which in Josh’s case is chronic. We have tried countless interventions without success and currently are trying to explore the potential benefits of cannabis.
Here Professor Lorimer Moseley explains how pain works and explains new approaches to help reduce your pain:
Visit this website for more information and questions to ask your health professional: http://www.tamethebeast.org
Cannabis & Pain
Prof Dedi Meiri is the head of the world’s leading cannabis lab in the Technion speaks about cannabis and pain.
The following resource takes you to a comprehensive list of currently available cannabis clinics and all relevant data: Cannabis Clinic Directory