What if the way your brain processes sound, light, touch, and even taste—basically the way your senses collide with the world—isn’t always tied to autism?
You’ve been scrolling through X and seen the endless TikToks of people sharing their experiences with sensory overload, from blinding fluorescent lights to the unbearable hum of a microwave. But is it possible to have these struggles without the label of autism?
Let’s go down this rabbit hole. But first, imagine this: You’re sitting in a cafe. The hum of chatter is a murmur, the coffee machine’s hiss is louder than a jackhammer, and the barista’s apron scraping against the counter is enough to make you want to leave, but you don’t.
Why? Because you’re still trying to figure out why this moment, in this particular place, feels like a warzone. Is it you? Or is it the environment?
It’s all… complicated.
You may have heard this theory whispered around: sensory issues and autism are linked, and if you don’t have autism, well, sensory issues are somehow off-limits. But what if I told you that’s not quite the case? What if sensory overload isn’t confined to just autism?
What if you, in your own unique way, are living with this neurodivergent experience, even though you haven’t ticked the autism box?
Here’s where things get interesting. Buckle up.
Let’s Talk About Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)
You’ve probably heard about ADHD, depression, anxiety, or even autism, but have you ever come across SPD? It’s one of those conditions that slides into the back of your brain like a secret weapon nobody wants to acknowledge.
SPD is the sneaky culprit responsible for why some people struggle with sensory input, from sound to light to textures.
SPD doesn’t have an official diagnosis under the DSM-5 (that’s the big book of mental health disorders), but people experience it all the time.
SPD often gets shoved into the autism spectrum disorder category, mostly because it shares a few family traits, like struggling with sensory overload or seeking out sensory input.
You can have sensory issues without being autistic. Think of SPD as the oddball relative at the family reunion, not quite fitting in with the autism crowd, but close enough to stir up confusion. So, what does SPD look like?
- Hypersensitivity: Think high-pitched sounds that make you want to crawl into a dark corner, fluorescent lights that feel like a hundred needles poking your skull, or certain textures of fabric that turn your skin into a battlefield.
- Hyposensitivity: On the flip side, some people crave sensory input. They might constantly be in search of pressure (like tight hugs or deep massages), or they might enjoy loud noises (headphones cranked to the max during a workout).
- Sensory Seeking: Ever catch yourself rocking back and forth, biting the inside of your cheek, or tapping your foot over and over? It’s not a quirk; it’s your brain demanding sensory stimulation to feel “right.”
But what if I told you that SPD isn’t some rare anomaly?
Oh no, this is happening everywhere. In fact, research suggests that up to 16% of people may have some form of sensory processing issue. That’s not a niche issue.
Wait, But What About Autism?
Let’s circle back to autism for a moment. When we talk about sensory issues, autism is the word everyone gravitates toward.
Why? Well, it’s a neat little package. Autism, in its full, technicolor glory, is often characterized by sensory sensitivities.
But autism is a much broader experience than that. It’s not just sensory processing. It’s social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors—all of which might not be present in a person with sensory issues alone.
Let me break it down in a way that feels more… relatable:
- Autism: You’re walking through a grocery store, and the beeping of the checkout lane feels like an alarm going off in your brain. The lights are too bright. The person in front of you is breathing too loudly. You can’t handle the sound of the automatic doors opening and closing. This experience is part of a broader pattern of challenges: you have social difficulties, a strong routine, and maybe even some repetitive behaviors like lining up objects.
- Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD): You go to that same grocery store and the beeping triggers an immediate response. Your heart races, your head pounds, and you feel an overwhelming need to leave. However, you don’t have the broader social communication issues that people with autism face. You’re just dealing with the sensory overload.
The key takeaway here is that sensory issues don’t require autism, but if you’re on the spectrum, sensory issues might just be part of the whole package.
Let’s Do a Quick History Lesson
This is where we take a detour, because the history of sensory processing is actually a bit murky. Back in the day, psychologists like A. Jean Ayres and Lucy Jane Miller started documenting sensory issues in the 1970s.
Ayres, the pioneer, called it Sensory Integration Dysfunction (sound fancy, right?), but the DSM didn’t want to include it. SPD didn’t fit neatly into the diagnostic framework.
So, it floated in limbo for decades. It was a well-kept secret until researchers began pushing to recognize it in its own right, without the “autism” label attached.
Fast forward to today, and while SPD still doesn’t have a formal place in the DSM-5, a growing body of research is pushing back against the idea that autism is the only diagnosis where sensory issues live.
In fact, SPD is beginning to be recognized in its own right—especially in kids with ADHD, anxiety, and trauma.
But What Does It Feel Like to Have Sensory Issues?
OK, now let’s get into the raw, gritty stuff. The real meat of the story: what’s it like to walk through life with sensory sensitivities?
You know when you hear that one song on repeat? The one that gets stuck in your head? But it’s not just that—it’s like your brain can’t let go. That’s how a lot of people describe sensory overload.
Examples from real life (the juicy bits):
- Sounds: Someone chewing loudly? Your brain interprets that sound like a car alarm. No, seriously. It might take you hours to calm down after hearing it. That hum from the fridge that’s always in the background? It’s now a drill to your skull.
- Textures: Wearing certain fabrics can be unbearable. The seams on socks? No. You might not be able to stop adjusting your clothes all day. And heaven forbid you touch something sticky or gritty—it’s like the world is out to get you.
- Light: Walking into a store with bright fluorescent lighting? It’s like stepping into a tornado of light that your brain can’t filter. It’s too bright, too sharp, too much.
The problem with these experiences? People think you’re just being “picky” or “weird.” But here’s the twist: for someone with SPD, these experiences aren’t just annoying—they’re exhausting. And it’s not about autism. It’s about your brain processing information differently.
Can You Have Sensory Issues and Not Know It?
This is the million-dollar question. How do you even know if you’re dealing with sensory processing issues and not, say, being overly sensitive or picky?
People with sensory processing issues often don’t realize how out of sync their brain is with the world around them. It’s a condition that creeps up on you.
You might just think you’re not a “people person,” that you “hate loud places,” or that you’re “too sensitive.”
But as it turns out, your brain is simply responding to sensory input differently. Not better. Not worse. Just different.
If you’ve ever felt the intense urge to shut down during a loud concert or panic in a crowded space, there might be something deeper at play.
So, What Now?
Here’s the TL;DR: Yes, you can have sensory issues without being autistic. In fact, you might not even realize that sensory processing issues are part of the neurological tapestry of your brain. While autism and SPD share some similarities in terms of sensory sensitivities, they’re not one and the same. Your brain might be just wired differently—and it’s okay. Whether you’re hyper-reactive to sounds, under-reactive to touch, or somewhere in between, understanding your sensory profile is key to navigating your world without constantly feeling like you’re losing the battle.
The next time you find yourself avoiding a crowded room or fighting the urge to throw on noise-canceling headphones in a silent space, remember this: you’re not alone. And it’s okay to say, “My brain works a little differently.” It doesn’t need a label, and it definitely doesn’t need to be part of the autism box.
Just embrace it as part of your unique neurological fingerprint.
Welcome to the sensory side of life. It’s not perfect, but it’s yours.
