Skip to main content

Video · Chris / Inside view

Why Temperature, Touch, and Noise Can Feel Overwhelming

Chris explains sensory hypersensitivity through everyday examples: scratchy clothing tags, a narrow temperature comfort range, and unpredictable sounds that disrupt sleep.

  • Autistic identity / Acceptance, Sensory experience
  • All audiences
  • 0:57
  • Free resource
  • Published August 25, 2026
Content note

Discusses sensory hypersensitivity, uncomfortable clothing tags, temperature sensitivity, disruptive noises, and difficulty falling asleep.

Accessible text version

Full transcript

Basically, hypersensitivity is a pretty common trait with autistics and ADHDs, particularly more towards the autistic side of things. Anything from the touch feeling of the tag on the back of the shirt—I took it off for that exact reason—whether it’s anything below or above our narrow window of optimal temperature. So, you know, I find I’m most comfortable around a nice 72, and anything above a 74 is too hot—like, really hot for me. Anything below, you know, 68 is, like, too cold for me. So, you know, like, and I can’t really function outside of those temperatures easily. So, it’s not— Hypersensitivity to sound, I can kind of attest to that, where, like, if there’s any kind of irregular noise, like a smoke alarm chirping or my fan rattling or something, I cannot sleep. I need a consistent white noise as I’m falling asleep.
About this content

Decoding Divergent shares lived experience and general educational information. It is not medical, mental-health, legal, or educational advice and is not a substitute for qualified professional support.