Embedded Files
When Embers burn and Fires yearn
A spark is all it takes
When magma moves the unseen truths
An eruption lies in wait
From “Volcanoes”, a poem by K. Timm
This page contains Sensory Truths, Insights and other Contributions from Autistics and otherwise Neurodivergent humans. For a text-based hyperlinked index of all contributions, scroll to the end of this page.
Dr. Luke Beardon
Dr. Luke Beardon
In this video clip from Chris Packham's documentary series, Inside Our Autistic Minds, Dr. Luke Beardon, an Autistic researcher, explains hyposensitivity and hypersensitivity.
Dr. Luke Beardon is a renowned expert in Autism and Neurodiversity, known for his extensive research and advocacy. With a background in psychology and a focus on improving the lives of Autistic individuals, Dr. Beardon has made significant contributions to the understanding of Autism through both academic and practical perspectives. His work emphasizes the importance of sensory experiences, communication, and inclusive practices. As an educator and consultant, he is dedicated to promoting empathy and effective support for autistic individuals across various settings.
Image Description: Dr. Luke Beardon is a white, bald man wearing a black long-sleeved shirt. He is holding a glass award in each hand.
Video Clip from the documentary series, "Inside Our Autistic Minds"
Eli Belt (she/they)
Eli Belt (she/they)
This is a poem written and contributed directly by Eli, who identifies as a "Neurospicy" adult from the United States.
Eli selected this photograph from the sensory area of Pride where they had the opportunity to hold a beautiful, blue-eyed white snake. She shared that holding the snake was very calming.
Image Description: Eli is a white adult wearing a top hat with steampunk glasses, a rainbow face mask and a black decorated t-shirt with colourful sign language on it. They are holding a blue-eyed white snake.
Callum Brazzo (he/him)
Callum Brazzo (he/him)
This is a sensory reflection written and contributed directly by Callum, from the U.K.. Callum is an Autistic performance poet and Founder of the Autistic-led clothing company, Aut Couture, which celebrates neurodiversity. In "My Sensory Truth", Callum reflects on his unique sensory experiences and challenges as an Autistic individual. He shares his realization of his own sensory differences, some of his sensory preferences, an experience with sensory distress at work and the power of a safe and supportive workplace.
You can also watch Callum's TedX Talk here: "Why we should make mountains out of molehills".
Image Description: Callum Brazzo is standing in a field of sunflowers wearing a grey t-shirt showing a Neurodiversi-tree (a tree with a brain at the top)
Louise Chandler
Louise Chandler
In this Instagram post, Louise Chandler (@neurodivergent_lou) discusses the challenges that many Autistic people face with sunlight sensitivity: sensory overload due to the amplified sensory input, sleep disruption and physical symptoms including headaches and stomach aches. She points out that some individuals may wear sunglasses constantly, even indoors and during all seasons.
Louise Chandler (Lou) "is a 21 year old award-winning autistic advocate and content creator who is passionate about building a world that truly works for autistic people. Lou shares her own lived experiences raising awareness and acceptance for autistic people. She engages with politicians and organisations in advocating for change." (Singh, n.d.)
Access the original Instagram post here or access the text version here. (provides original images and image descriptions.)
Image Description: 21 year old Louise Chandler, a white woman with long blonde hair appears on the front cover of EMPOWER magazine. She is wearing a teal tank top and pink patterned pants
Jodie Clarke (formerly Smitten)
Jodie Clarke (formerly Smitten)
In Jodie's sensory reflection, she describes how everyday tasks, like tidying the kitchen, are significantly impacted by her sensory experiences. Sensory overwhelm results in executive dysfunction, and when underwhelmed, she faces inertia and dopamine deficiency. While being self-employed allows for some control over the environment, the outside world is less accommodating. Tidying the kitchen is particularly challenging due to sensory triggers like the feeling of crumbs on the floor, the dampness of cleaning cloths, and overwhelming smells.
Jodie Clarke is a Neurodivergent educator and researcher. To find out more about Jodie, access her website here.
Image Description: A close-up of Jodie Clarke, a white human with long red hair, wearing a graduation cap.
Quinn Dexter, Autistamatic
Quinn Dexter, Autistamatic
In this Autistamatic video, Quinn explains how sensory hypersensitivity and hyposensitivity impact Autistics.
Quinn Dexter is an Autistic advocate, elder and popular content creator, known by fans as Autistamatic. His Autistamatic YouTube channel provides a substantial and growing collection of quality content which serves to educate, inform and destigmatize Autistic realities.
Image Description: A close-up of Quinn Dexter, a white man with a long grey beard. He is wearing a black shirt.
In the video above, Quinn Dexter explains sensory hypersensitivity and hyposensitivity.
Edwina
Edwina
Upon learning about this project, Edwina decided to focus on Sensory comforts, with the solving of Rubik's cube as one example of this. Edwina shares,
"Instead of talking about how sensory input and information processing is stimulating to me, I decided to interpret this assignment more positively. The video is edited to be silent - how I prefer to work (being deaf helps here). I have music playing through my earphones as a compromise because total physical and mental silence is difficult. Rubik’s cube used to be a fidget toy for me until I learned how to solve it, Now, it makes a great metaphor for how I process. I am not a speedcuber. Some would consider this slow - accurate because I have a slow processing speed. I use the same method of solving it everytime and in the same orientation of colours of starting with white and working my way to the opposite yellow side.This illustrates that routines and sameness are a comfort to me and on the contrary, I struggle to adapt to even the smallest of changes. The other things on the desk, some intentionally placed, are other representations of aspects of my being autistic: Hello Kitty is my special interest, and colouring - an activity that has rules but is also creative."
Edwina is a Neurodivergent Educator in Canada and a member of the Neurodivergent Infinity Network of Educators.
Video description: Top down shot of a rubik’s cube being solved on desk. On desk is also a completed colouring sheet, Hello Kitty plush, phone, and blue computer mouse on Lotso bear mousepad.
Sofia Farzana (formerly Akbar)
Sofia Farzana (formerly Akbar)
Sofia's written reflection includes accompanying photographs that she has taken on her recent journeys and selected to help share how she experiences the world sensorily. In this piece, she identifies some of her sensory joys and candidly offers insight into the impact of sensory overload.
Sofia Akbar is an AuDHD Educator, Advocate, Entrepreneur and Co-founder of SEMA, Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics. Sofia lives in Scotland.
Image Description: Sofia is a brown woman wearing glasses, a navy blue hijab, and a loose white cardigan. She is holding an embossed glass award.
Dr. Morénike Giwa Onaiwu, PhD
Dr. Morénike Giwa Onaiwu, PhD
This is a transcript of a webinar titled "Your Personal Haven: Building a Sensory Lifestyle,"and was presented as part of the AUCD's Autism Acceptance Month webinar series. Morénike Giwa Onaiwu, discusses sensory needs and strategies for creating environments that accommodate those needs, emphasizes the importance of recognizing and addressing individual sensory preferences, provides practical techniques for managing sensory inputs, and explains how intersectionality can influence sensory experience.
Dr. Morénike Giwa Onaiwu is a global educator, writer, consultant, public speaker, and advocate/activist. A proactive, resourceful leader, Morénike, whose undergraduate and graduate degrees are in International Relations, Education, and Humanities, is passionate about diversity, human rights, intersectionality, disability justice, inclusion, neurodiversity, and research.
Image Description: a close-up of Morénike Giwa Onaiwu, a black woman with long black hair, wearing a black sweater and white and black top underneath. They are standing infront of greenery.
Swarit Gopalan
Swarit Gopalan
Swarit has written many poems and shares these on his website as part of his advocacy efforts for the rights of non-speakers. The three listed below offer some insight into his sensory joys:
Swarit Gopalan is a 12 year old Non-Speaking Autistic advocate who uses typing to communicate. Find more of Swarit's poetry and information about his advocacy work on his website.
Access each poem below:
Image Description: Swarit is a brown boy with short black hair, wearing a white t-shirt. He is smiling.
Sabrina Guerra, (they/them)
Sabrina Guerra, (they/them)
Sabrina wrote this open access book in grade 4. In it, they make several references to their sensory experiences. Sabrina made this book publicly available to support their advocacy efforts for Non-Speakers' rights. It can be found on the Autism Books by Autistic Authors webpage
Sabrina is a Non-Speaking Autistic teen advocate and writer in the United States, who communicates by typing and shares their powerful reflections and messages on their social media accounts as Non-Speaking Advocate for Change
Image Description: Sabrina is a teen human with pale skin and medium length curly hair. They are wearing a jean jacket, a mauve t-shirt and glasses and are outside in front of tall trees.
Image Description: the front cover of Sabrina's book, Truly Yours
Becca Lory Hector
Becca Lory Hector
This sensory truth is an excerpt from Chapter 8, Sensory Hellscapes, from Becca's book, Always Bring Your Sunglasses: And Other Stories from a Life of Sensory and Social Invalidation (Hector, 2024). This excerpt was selected by the author and has been reprinted with permission. In it, Becca vividly describes her intense dislike of showering and how it is a complex sensory ordeal which drains her energy and triggers discomfort. Despite her sensory aversion to showering, Becca values cleanliness and hygiene. She emphasizes that skipping a shower can be a form of self-care, acknowledging that the sensory impact and energy depletion make it a challenging task on certain days.
Becca Lory Hector is a Disability Facilitator in Maine, U.S.
Access "Sensory Hellscapes: Showering is My Arch Nemesis " here
Image description: Becca Lory Hector, a white woman with short wavy dark hair is wearing a green sweater and glasses. She is holding her black, long-haired cat.
Image Description: The book, "Always Bring Your Sunglasses" is shown in front of green shrubs beside a pair of yellow sunglasses, matching the graphic on the turquoise cover.
Christine Jenkins
Christine Jenkins
This is a poem written by Christine and reprinted with her permission. It offers insights into the common sensory triggers many Autistics face with clothing tags, seams and other textures.
Christine Jenkins is an Autistic Author, Editor, Independent Researcher and Consultant in Canada. To find out more about Christine's work, access her Linktr.ee
Access the poem, "Tag of War" here.
Image description: Christine Jenkins, a white woman with short brown hair, wearing glasses and gold drop earrings.
Image Description: Cover page of 'Tags R Not Us (Tag of War)' by Christine Jenkins. Illustration of brown woman with brown hair and white woman with blonde hair shopping in thrift store)
Karen Muriuki
Karen Muriuki
In this Linked In post from Ubongo, Autistic advocate Karen Muriuki explains the importance of Sensory Play.
Karen Muriuki is an Autistic advocate and Disability Inclusion Facilitator in Kenya.
Access Sensory Play here.
Image Description: A screenshot from Linked In post by Ubongo shows Karen Muriuki, a black woman with dreadlocks. In the bottom right corner, two cartoon characters, a parent and a child are shown. A quote from Karen reads, “Play for me as an autistic person was a way of therapy and psychological wellness for me in dealing with rejection and stigma from society. “– Karen
Dr. Wenn Lawson, PhD
Dr. Wenn Lawson, PhD
This is a poem written and contributed directly by Dr. Wenn Lawson. Wenn shares the pain, frustration, shock and dissonance of sensory differences.
Dr. Wenn Lawson is an Adjunct Associate Professor, with the Curtin Autism Research Group (CARG) at Curtin University in Perth, Western Australia. To find out more, access Dr. Wenn Lawson's website.
Image Description: Dr. Wenn Lawson is shown above wearing round, tinted glasses and a baseball cap.
ND Teacher
ND Teacher
This is a video reflection created by "ND Teacher" explaining how she came to understand her own sensory hypersensitivities and how these impact her.
She explains how, after 30 years, she “finally felt seen” when her Vice-Principal openly shared about her own sensory sensitivities.
ND Teacher is a Neurodivergent Educator from Canada and a member of the Neurodivergent Infinity Network of Educators.
Image Description: an image from “ND Teacher”’s video showing the image of a brain firing. Two quotes of things that have been said to her are shared: “Oh the lights aren’t so bright”; “We can’t enforce a scent free zone.”
Copy of Melissa video—hypersensitivities.mp4Video: Sensory Hypersensitivities
Tash McGhee
Tash McGhee
In her sensory reflection, Tash McGhee reflects on her lifelong struggle with sound sensitivity, which has caused her exhaustion and affected her ability to enjoy time with her family. She shares how overwhelming noises, including her daughters' and husband's voices, school environment, and daily life sounds, have led to chronic fatigue and stress. Only recently has she realized that her sensitivity is related to being neurodivergent, offering some insight into her past difficulties and helping her understand her experiences better.
Tash is a Neurodivergent Educator from Canada and a member of the Neurodivergent Infinity Network of Educators.
Access Tash's sensory reflection, "Why Am I So Tired?" here.
Tania Melnyczuk
Tania Melnyczuk
Video Reflections
Video Reflections
The following 3 videos were recorded and contributed directly by Tania Melnyczuk, an Autistic advocate and Collaboration Director of the Autistic Strategies Network in South Africa. To learn more about Tania's work, you can visit her website: Tania Melnyczuk's website .
Image Description: A close up of Tania Melnyczuk, a white woman with long blonde hair tied in a single braided twist. She is wearing a pink sweater, brown beads and a pink and orange hat.
In Video 1, Tania shares how she came to understand that her sensory experience was different from the neuromajority. She reflects on her sensory sensitivities and their connection to her autism diagnosis, which she received in her early 40s. She describes lifelong issues with stimuli like food textures, sounds, and clothing, which were not recognized as autism-related until later in life. Her understanding of these sensitivities and their impact on her behaviour deepened only after her diagnosis and discussions with others.
Video 1 by Tania
In Video 2, Tania describes how her sensory experiences have fluctuated over the years, particularly during perimenopause when she experienced extreme sensory hypersensitivity. She details coping mechanisms like custom-made earplugs, noise-canceling headphones, and deep pressure techniques that helped manage overwhelming sensory input. After addressing underlying issues like electrolyte imbalances, her sensory sensitivities have significantly reduced, allowing her to function more comfortably in various environments.
Video 2 by Tania
In Video 3, Tania discusses how sensory profiling led to personalized adjustments in her work environment, significantly improving productivity and reducing meltdowns. Despite these accommodations, challenges persisted, such as difficulty with certain lighting and sensory issues during meetings. Tania emphasizes the importance of normalizing workplace accommodations and advocates for responsive and customized workspaces to enhance employee productivity.
Video 3 by Tania
Fergus Murray
Fergus Murray
In this video reel, which he adapted from his website, Monotropism.org, Fergus explains the problem with school sensory environments.
Fergus is an Autistic advocate, researcher and educator in Scotland. He is the co-founder of AMASE, the Autistic Mutual Aid Society of Edinburgh, and runs the Monotropism website.
4E46B5C738F4FE61AA84DF2F8C7DD29C_video_dashinit.mp4Above is Fergus' Facebook reel on School Sensory Environments.
Jeremy Nagel
Jeremy Nagel
Video Reflection
Video Reflection
This is a video reflection created and contributed directly by Jeremy who describes how distracting it is to work when others are talking.
Jeremy is founder of Focus Bear.
Jeremy-sensory truth-June 29-2024.mp4Jeff Owens
Jeff Owens
Feeling the Music
Feeling the Music
When contributing his reflection, Jeff shared, "Like many autistics, I deal with high levels of anxiety. One of my favorite things to do that helps me the most is playing the piano. It allows me to express myself without words through the music. The sounds coming from the piano I hear and feel in a very intense way. The movements of fingers, wrists, and arms playing in a coordinated manner are exhilarating. Here is a short one-minute YouTube video of me playing a piece I learned by listening to a CD from the soundtrack of E.T., by the great composer John Williams."
Jeff Owens is the Director of Technology for SemaphoreMobile.com, a mobile app development company. He can be found on social media @Autism1o1 (X), or via his websites: Autism-101.com and autisminthemedia.com
Video of Jeff playing ET on piano.
Ludmila Praslova, PhD.
Ludmila Praslova, PhD.
In this article by Autistic author and researcher, Ludmila Praslova, the need to create sensory-friendly work environments is discussed. She emphasizes the need for workplaces to proactively account for sensory differences and address sensory sensitivities with individualized accommodations and by fostering a culture of quiet and understanding. She suggests that this approach can reduce the potential for sensory overload, which can cause sensory trauma and other negative outcomes for employee well-being and performance.
Access article, "Sensory Safety: A Must Of Neurodiversity Inclusion In The Workplace" here.
Image Description: a close up of Ludmila Praslova, a white woman with blonde hair wearing a blue blouse.
Paul
Paul
When sharing these poems, Paul reflected, "These were written prior to my diagnosis. I have felt this way for a large part of my life. I have found one very neuro-inclusive workplace that is very understanding, but I still feel a lot of pressure to perform and place unreasonable demands on myself.”
Paul is an Autistic Retro-Technologist, Blogger, and Programmer from Australia.
Hat Richardson
Hat Richardson
Hat Richardson, an Autistic semi-speaking Speech and Language Therapist was a guest on the Autism Central Podcast, hosted by Holly Sprake-Hill. (Sprake-Hill, 2024)
The Autism Central Podcast logo is shown beside a play button for the episode.
Image Description: Hat Richardson , a white woman with long brown hair, is shown above wearing a ball cap which reads, 'hat talks'. She is holding her golden labradoodle.
Lyric Rivera
Lyric Rivera
Sensory Overload
Sensory Overload
In this video, Lyric discusses their personal experience with sensory overload, particularly before and after their diagnosis at age 29. Before understanding that they were autistic, Lyric's sensory overload episodes were often misattributed to other causes. After learning about sensory overload, they found ways to prevent it by recognizing their sensory triggers and adjusting their environment accordingly.
Lyric describes how all sensory input—such as noises and bright lights—can become overwhelming, causing disorientation, agitation, and other intense responses. They compare the sensation to the adrenaline rush experienced during a panic attack. The effects of sensory overload can be both immediate, such as having a meltdown, and long-lasting, including chronic health issues like migraines and gastrointestinal problems.
Lyric emphasizes the importance of understanding one's unique sensory profile and triggers to manage sensory overload effectively. They recommend strategies like using noise-canceling headphones, sunglasses, and avoiding overstimulating environments. The video concludes with a call for others to share their experiences and strategies for managing sensory overload.
Lyric is a popular Autistic advocate, content creator, author and entrepreneur. Find out more by visiting their YouTube channel: NeuroDivergent Rebel.
Lyric's video on Sensory Overload
Kieran Rose
Kieran Rose
In this video, Kieran Rose shares how his stims relate to his sensory profile.(Reframing Autism, 2020)
Kieran's work on Autistic Masking is also very closely related to sensory differences since many Autistics mask the impact of sensory triggers in order to fit in and appear neurotypical, which has a very harmful ripple effect.
Kieran Rose is an international Autistic presenter, consultant, researcher and writer. For more information about his advocacy work, including training opportunities, access his website, The Autistic Advocate.
Access Kieran's video on Stimming and Senses here.
Access Autistic Masking video (from 2021 Ausome Conference) here.
Kieran Rose' s webinar video on Stimming and Senses.(Reframing Autism, 2020)
Kieran Rose' s webinar video on Autistic Masking (Autism Canada, 2021)
Dave Thompson
Dave Thompson
In Dave's reflection, he recalls early sensory challenges, like being overwhelmed by the loud sounds and bright lights at a Monster Trucks event when he was 4. As a multiply Neurodivergent adult, Dave prefers working in private spaces rather than modern open offices, which are overwhelming. He manages sensory overload with tools like earplugs, blue light glasses, and fidget toys. At home, he’s curated a sensory-friendly office environment. Understanding his sensory needs has been vital for his growth and productivity.
Dave Thompson lives in Nashville, Tennessee and is the Director of Strategic Programs for Potentia Workforce. To see more from Dave, watch his TedX Talk: Rebranding The Brain: Neurodiversity at Work
Karen Timm, (she/her)
Karen Timm, (she/her)
Volcanoes, a poem
Volcanoes, a poem
As the developer of this DRASTIC resource, I felt it was incumbent upon me to include my own Sensory Truth. This is something I could certainly write novels about, but of all my writing, I have chosen to include a poem which encapsulates a key moment from my childhood when I faced Sensory Overload and how it impacted me. It was also a key memory, a 'retropiphany' that helped me understand my own Autistic identity. What I now know, but didn't know then, is that I am Autistic and an ADHDer, and I experience the world in very different ways sensorily, compared to most people, and telling our stories is the only way to build greater understanding about Autistic and otherwise Neurodivergent realities.
Image Description: A Close up of Karen Timm, a white woman with long dark hair, wearing a black outfit with a black and grey striped scarf and a beaded necklace
I wrote, "Volcanoes" in 2023 about a vivid sensory memory I have of a Speech Arts presentation from my childhood. I later posted it in my NeuroRealMe blog as a way of explaining the complexity of my own sensory experiences and how sensory triggers interact in so many ways, which are rarely understood by onlookers. The poem alternates between references to the content from my original speech about Mount St. Helens' eruption and the sensory overload I was experiencing as I presented. Throughout the poem, these two settings are paralleled and connections are made between the alternating verses that many will resonate with, especially those of us who are Autistic advocates.
While I was able to make it through the content of the speech that day, so many years ago, the impact of the sensory triggers and overload, exponentially compounded by the impact of how others perceived me when I was no longer able to perform using mouthwords, was so incredibly disabling. It is also one of the memories which drives me to ensure: that Autistic voices are amplified, that we are presumed competent, that our diverse ways of communicating are honoured, that our truths are told, and that our authentic existence is no longer pathologized through outdated notions of normal and conformity.
Access the original publication of Volcanoes on my NeuroRealMe blog here.
Terra Vance
Terra Vance
My Brain Story
My Brain Story
Terra shared their own Brain Story map in an explanatory workshop created for Neuroclastic about how to use their free resource. Brain story was designed to help people understand their own brain story, and that of others, whether Autistic or not.
"We know that autistic people have sensory differences, but what that means for each person can be confusing and vary dramatically from person to person. While one person may love touch and be a big time hugger, another may avoid it at all costs and melt down when touched unexpectedly. One person may be sensitive to even the faintest sounds while another doesn’t even notice the screaming and laughing kids playing in the room.
And sensory is much more than just the “big five” senses everyone knows about. All of our processing is sensory processing."(Vance, 2021)
Terra Vance is an industrial and organizational psychology consultant and founder and CEO of NeuroClastic, Inc. Her passions are in the intersections of social justice, equity, literature, Truth, and science.
Access an explanatory video for Neuroclastic's Brain Story here.
Access the Neuroclastic Brain Story Resource (Vance, 2021)
Toren Wolf
Toren Wolf
In this Facebook reel, Toren and his mother show how finding different types of honey and watching its natural movement in the jars is sensorily soothing for him, yet in contrast, getting honey on his hands is so unpleasant and distracting for him that it becomes necessary to address this barrier prior to proceeding. This highlights the need to listen to Autistics regarding their sensory triggers so proactive and responsive measures can be taken which are authentically informed.
Toren is an Autistic teen advocate who creates social media content advocating for understanding and Acceptance of neurodifferences.
An8AXUJ4I2a8CO66ghDBbnhi9ZqLQHI48MN06uZl3rKzDIItTqVvlSzUXPc0_qnlrf3fE7tRCCPsZmAZ5U8CyLGL (4).mp4Video above is of Toren Wolf explaining his sensory relationship with honey.
Image Description: A close-up of Toren's hand holding a jar of honey upside down to show the formation of a bubble.
Index of Sensory Truths
Index of Sensory Truths
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