title: Too much or too little: hyper- and hypo-reactivity in high-functioning autism spectrum conditions.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sensory reactivity in people with autism spectrum conditions (ASC) has been found to differ in comparison to reactivity in people without ASC. In this study sensory experiences of high-functioning individuals with ASC were explored and described.
  
  
  METHODS
  Interview data from 15 participants with a diagnosis of ASC were analysed by content analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seven aspects of sensory experiences were identified: Being hyper- and hypo-reactive, reacting to general overload, having strong stimuli preferences, managing attentiveness to stimuli, managing sensory/motor stimuli, and dealing with consequences of sensory reactions in daily life.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The categorisation of sensory reactivity in this study can guide clinicians on how to pose questions about sensory issues to individuals with ASC. The assessment of spectrum-specific sensory experiences in high-functioning ASC and their association with other social and nonsocial features of ASC are goals for further research.
authors.affiliation: Psychiatric Research Centre, Örebro County Council, Örebro, Sweden. marie.elvin@orebroll.se
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Elwin
authors.forename: Lena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ek
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kjellin
authors.forename: Agneta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schröder
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception / Q000502:physiology; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult