Although people with autistic spectrum disorders often have sensory issues, there are others who also have difficulties with the senses, mainly because the senses and the body are not being accurately assimilated by the brain.

Some examples are children who have bed wetting problems, adults who have a difficult time with tags in their clothes, people who have light sensitivities, children who think their parents are “yelling” at them, or cannot tolerate the television because of the loudness, adults who have motion sickness  or vertigo, children who need to be held tight or not touched at all. 

These are all problems that have not been addressed in the past because the community at large does not feel they are issues that demand attention. We are always told, “you’ll grow out of that”. Or “get over it”. Unfortunately, sensory processing issues may often be the source of poor communication, poor accomplishment, poor relationships and difficulties in working because of lack of focus.

When one is overtly affected by sensory stimulation, it’s pretty hard to concentrate on the matters at hand. In some cases, it’s impossible.

Mary was a student in law school when she started to have problems with being outside. Her eyes would water and burn, she couldn’t read if she was outside. Using a computer screen to do her work was getting less and less easy and more stressful. After her eye doctor confirmed that she had no eye issues, she used neurofeedback and sensory reintegration to decrease her anxiety, increase her efficiency in handling multiple sensory issues and her eyes no longer had a problem outside or inside.