Sensory Perceptual Issues in Autism and Asperger Syndrome: Different Sensory Experiences - Different Perceptual Worlds

by Olga Bogdashina

The ability to perceive accurately stimuli in the environment is basic to many areas of academic, communicative and social functioning. Although people with autism live in the same physical world and deal with the same `raw material' their perceptual world turns out strikingly different from that of non-autistic people. It is widely reported that autistic people have `unusual' sensory perceptual experiences that may involve hypo- and hypersensitivity, fluctuation between different `volumes' of perception and difficulty interpreting a sense.

In this book, Olga Bogdashina attempts to define the role of sensory perceptual problems in autism identified by autistic individuals themselves. Often ignored by many professionals, this is one of the main problems highlighted by autistic individuals. This book singles out possible patterns of sensory experiences in autism and the cognitive differences caused by them. The final chapters are devoted to assessment and intervention issues with practical recommendations for selecting appropriate methods and techniques to eliminate the problems and enhance the strengths.

Sensory Perceptual Issues in Autism and Asperger Syndrome is vital to teachers and other professionals working with autistic individuals to fully comprehend sensory perceptual differences in autism. This book will help readers select appropriate methods for dealing with autistic individuals. In addition, parents of autistic individuals and autistic individual themselves will find the information will enable them to initiate relevant strategies and environmental changes to facilitate more effective learning.

Genres: Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Nonfiction, Psychology, Disability, Health

224 pages, Paperback

First published June 15, 2003

Reviews

[Kit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pros:
If you are looking to really understand the different ways sensory issues can manifest, this book is the one you want to read. It covers more information on sensory processing and sensory perceptual issues than any other source I have come across since I was diagnosed. Bogdashina goes far beyond the standard hypo- or hyper-sensitivity to sensory input most texts end up talking about. Instead we get a whole raft of different ways we can experience sensory input differently to other people, including but not limited to:

* Mono-processing
* Fragmented perception
* Delayed perception
* Fascination
* Agnosia (difficulty interpreting input)
* Synaesthesia

The book also covers the effects of these different sensory experiences, including how they can lead to shutdowns and overloads. But it is also clear to point out that different sensory experience and perception is not always a problem and that we should not assume everything needs a cure or a treatment just because it is not neurotypical in experience or in the way it is expressed.

Where sensory experiences are experienced as problematic for the autistic person, Bogdashina offers a range of advice on ways to mitigate and treat the issues. The back of the book features a handy and detailed tool to help you begin to piece together your unique sensory profile.

Cons:
(Just to add: I'm aware these criticisms are very specific to my personal point of view, and that some people will not see them as cons. Take them with a pinch of salt.)

At the beginning of the book, Bogdashina promotes the Intense World theory. On the surface this is an elegant theory which ties in nicely with Bogdashina's own theories of sensory perceptual issues. However, I have issues with the inclusion of this theory given the conclusions of the original paper. For those who have not read it, the Intense World theory states that sensory issues in autism could be avoided if children who may be autistic are kept in unenriched environments, without access to any new information or change, and with the application of medication to block memory formation for YEARS until all the major milestones have been passed ("beyond the age of 6").

In interviews the Markrams have made it clear that no electronics or even bright colours should be given to autistic children, and that they should be kept in a "bubble" without mixing with the outside world until they are beyond the Intense World stage. This is the theory that Bogdashina is uncritically supporting at the start of the book.

Secondly, to the autistic adults reading this: you've found yet another book about treating issues in autistic children. The general information can definitely be useful to help us understand sensory issues for autistic adults, but the book focuses mainly on children. Child- words ("child", "childhood", "children" etc) get 612 mentions in this book, adult- words only 47. This would be less of an issue if the blurb made this clear, but I really don't feel like you would pick up from the summary that this is a book about autism in childhood.

Speaking of people the book does not address, if (like me) you happen to be a verbal thinker with autism then as far as this book is concerned you may as well not exist. As with so many books, this text chooses to touch on the idea of visual thinkers and spatial thinking with regards to autism, but does not seem to accept that (m)any autistic people can be verbal thinkers, except to use Temple Grandin's research claim that verbal thinkers might be visual thinkers with a sort of verbal overlay. As someone with complete aphantasia and a very strong inner monologue I find this hard to swallow.

Temple Grandin actually features predominantly in this book. I appreciate that Grandin is an important figure in autism research and in autism representation. But in a book which feels like an attempt to present a scientific theory in a more widely accessible way, I would prefer as broad a range of scientific studies as possible referenced in the text to back up the assertions. Instead I got Temple Grandin's name 97 times. It's a shame that there isn't a wider representation of voices and studies in the main body of this book.

This book is coming from one particular angle - that autism (or autistic behaviour) is caused almost entirely by sensory issues, and that autistic people are basically near-normal brains trapped inside malfunctioning sensory systems. While as an autistic person I obviously appreciate just how much sensory issues perpetuate many aspects of my autism, I do not believe that this theory adequately addresses the studies that have been done about the brain structures often found in autism, the differences in brain chemistry, the genetics etc. I also don't feel that sensory issues account for some of the biggest issues faced by many autistic people including things like executive dysfunction. In time the science may prove Bogdashina correct and I will have to eat my words, but until then I think this book is trying to be more than it is.

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Overall this book introduced me to a lot of new concepts and nuances around sensory perception and processing, and I would recommend it as one way to understand the issues autistic people can deal with. But I struggled with it at times and ultimately couldn't completely ignore some of the issues I had with the text.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent book. At this point, I intend to read all of Ms. Bogdashina's books on the topic. The two I've read so far have been enlightening. This one did cover some of the same ground as her book, Communication Issues in Autism and Aspeger's Syndrome, but it also covered new territory. Each definitely has its own focus. If you're a parent, I would suggest this book if you're having difficulty with mysterious or challenging behavior that you don't understand. I would suggest the Communication book if you are having more difficulty communicating or connecting with your child.

If you're curious about the topic, I suggest them both.

[char · Rating 3 out of 5]

A useful survey of research into autistic sensory processing. A bit disappointing in many areas; the introductions talk about the necessity of listening to autistic experiences, and the lack of resources for adults, and then the rest of the book is written for allistic caregivers who are supporting autistic children, with anecdotes taken from the decade-plus-old memoirs of like three or four Famous Autistics (all—or most—of whom are white). That said, it's a good starting point for further and more diverse research, and the inventories in the appendices are helpful!

[D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bogdashina is a must-read for anyone interested in a broader, more holistic and affirming view of the challenges, gifts and different abilities of people on the Autistic Spectrum. Absolutely brilliant.

[Benedek Dr. Bálint · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't know that there is a new edition of this book when I started reading it (keep it in mind if you are about to read this one). It was a smooth reading experience because of the quotes of people with autism. It is a book that heavily focuses on the different sensory experiences and its therapeutic approaches.

[Mariam Esmaeel · Rating 5 out of 5]

very useful book about sensory issues among autism disorder including comprehensive assessment tool for it

[Clifton D. Healy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real paradigm shift in caring for autistic individuals. The core of the book are chapters 3-5, covering sensory experiences and perceptual and cognitive styles arising from those experiences. Various appropriate treatment options, based on individual sensory profiles, are discussed later in the book. The main thesis of the book is that the neurological structures of the autistic brain result in different sensory experiences which give rise to different conceptual meanings and cognitive content. This then results in various compensatory behaviors. Addressing the behaviors does not change the sensory experiences. It merely suppresses natural responses which can cause trauma. Thus addressing the sensory experiences (special lenses, earplugs, special clothing, etc) will help modify, if needed, the behaviors arising from the experiences.

[Sandee Clemons · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book for anyone that has autism or is friends with someone that has it. It helps clear up some of the actions of the autistic. Many times autism causes them to suffer from overload and sensory issues. This book helps clear up that just because they flinch when you touch them doesn't mean they don't like your or just because they don't want to go somewhere with loud noises doesn't mean they don't want to spend time with you!

[Sean Martin · Rating 2 out of 5]

A lot of really interesting ideas backed up with too much speculation and not enough data. Also, not really a topic where I want to hear about ESP.

[Olga Lalín · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imprescindible