It can be hard to manage sensory challenges in a world where it is not always kind to autistic people. There are times when it can be too much for us to handle. The lights, the sounds, the smells, the feels and even the taste of something can be just enough to make our brain overwhelmed or overstimulated and cause us to react in a negative light that can be hard for others to understand or help us get back to where we need to be.

This time of year, it can be very challenging to the sensory palate. It can be hard to go out and do things or even experience life as you need to. There is at times just too many stimuli in many forms that without being able to manage on your own can set the autistic person into a windfall that others don’t want them to experience. We as autistic people do not want to be overwhelmed or overstimulated by things out of our control but at the same time it can be hard for us to be honest with those that we need to be honest with because we feel like a burden to those that want to experience those experiences.

It is like the double edge sword that is doubly has hard for us as autistic folks. We want to be included in things but at the same time it can be very difficult for us to withstand them. If we do, we may need our own downtime to be able to recharge and regroup from being overwhelmed or overstimulated from doing those things in the outside world that are just too much for us.

Overall, it is best to extend the invitation to us but understand that there is a possibility that we may not be able to do any, some or all the activities because of how we are feeling that day. It can be hard to judge just what happens on any given day as an autistic person that can lead us to how much we can tolerate. If we say that we cannot tolerate anymore, please understand that. It often takes a lot to admit that we need to step aside from something because it is often expected of us to do those things. Likewise, it can be just as difficult to do things that are new or different to us because we are likely very anxious to do them. Overall, be kind and work with us to understand us and our struggles. We are not as harmful or as edgy as we come off to be, we are just unsure oftentimes and we may need some guidance and even compromise when it comes to doing things in the outside world.

It is not just this time of the year that becomes too much but can be pretty much anything and everything. It is best to know the person for who they are and what they can withstand without being too harsh, argumentative or forceful with them. Meet them at their level and understand what they can and cannot withstand. Know that it can vary from day to day and even hour to hour. Most of all, don’t discount them when they say something is too much for them, that is not your place to judge. Talk it through with them and see if it something that can be worked out or not, but ultimately respect them for being open and honest when they describe their sensory characteristics to you, because you don’t know if you do not ask them about them.