We know that many people on the autism spectrum prefer relatively snug-fitting clothing that covers their arms and legs. The snug clothing may help provide a sense of where the body is in space – sometimes called the sense of proprioception.
For some children, the textures of certain fabrics can be too overwhelming. Others might find the tags on clothing or the sound of a zipper to be too much for them to handle. Some kids might feel more comfortable in loose-fitting clothes, while others might prefer clothes that are tightly fitted.
One of the most significant challenges for people who are autistic or neurodivergent is finding clothes that feel comfortable and fit well. Sensory processing difficulties can make it challenging to tolerate certain fabrics or clothing tags.
Autistic children will sometimes take off their clothes if they find them uncomfortable or distressing. While this is also true of neurotypical kids, autistic children may continue to do so at a later age. Part of the reason for this is that they don't pick up on emotional cues as typical children do.
Wearing the same clothes repeatedly is a common behavior associated with autism, and may be related to sensory processing issues.
Our findings suggest that individuals with autism are impaired in their ability to evaluate beauty, at least when beauty is associated with an objective parameter intrinsic to works of art (proportion in the case of classical representations).
Some of the frequent facial features of autism are a broader upper face, shorter middle face, wider eyes, bigger mouth, and the philtrum [19].
Many autistic people experience sensory input like light, sound and touch more intensely, and wearing a hoodie with the hood up can help to block out uncomfortably loud sounds or bright light.
Sensory Issues
Many people with autism experience sensory processing disorder. This is more commonly known as sensory overload. Noise, crowds, bright lights, strong tastes, smells, and being touched can feel unbearable to someone with HFA. This makes going to restaurants, movies, and shopping malls difficult.
People with autism may get easily attached to people, leading them to become over-friendly. It can be difficult to understand other people's perceptions of situations, therefore what they feel is appropriate, may be considered as socially unacceptable.
Sensory issues with food: Kids on the autism spectrum often express a strong preference for foods that feel a certain way in their mouths. Some prefer soft or creamy foods like yogurt, soup or ice cream; others need the stimulation that crunchy foods like Cheetos or — if a parent is lucky, carrots — provide.
They may avoid interactions or eye contact or even resist parental attention, hugs, or cuddling. There has been more research into the reasoning behind this, but many times it results in people with autism being defensive against touch.
Sensory processing difficulties can make handwashing and showering uncomfortable or even painful for children with autism. Provide sensory support by using soap with a pleasing scent or texture, using a showerhead with adjustable pressure, or providing a soft towel for drying off.
You might find that they don't like showers because of the feeling of the water hitting their skin but they are happier having a bath, certain brands of soap and shampoo might aggravate them more than others or using a manual toothbrush rather than an electric one is easier for them.
Masking may involve suppressing certain behaviours we find soothing but that others think are 'weird', such as stimming or intense interests. It can also mean mimicking the behaviour of those around us, such as copying non-verbal behaviours, and developing complex social scripts to get by in social situations.
People may also mask their symptoms of autism because they don't want to be defined by it or treated any differently by peers, colleagues, teachers, family or friends. They also may not be aware that they have ASD, and instead see themselves as masking behaviours that are simply not the social norm.
But, makeup can be a tricky experience for autistic people. It can be a form of self-care, but the look, feel, and smells of makeup are a sensory no-go for some. For others, makeup (and its social norms) can become a method of masking.
In conclusion, there are many factors that can make autism worse. Sensory overload, changes in routine, social isolation, co-occurring conditions, and lack of support can all exacerbate the symptoms of autism.
Facial expressions smooth social interactions: A smile may show interest, a frown empathy. People with autism have difficulty making appropriate facial expressions at the right times, according to an analysis of 39 studies1. Instead, they may remain expressionless or produce looks that are difficult to interpret.
Some people who have autism actively avoid eye contact and appear confused and anxious when it occurs. Some seemed to make eye contact relatively early but later reported they were actually looking at something that fascinated them (such as their reflection in one's eyeglasses).