'I felt like my senses were under attack': An interpretative phenomenological analysis of experiences of hypersensitivity in autistic individuals / Liesbeth TAELS in Autism, 27-8 (November 2023)  

Public ISBD [article]  inAutism > 27-8 (November 2023) . - p.2269-2280 Titre : 'I felt like my senses were under attack': An interpretative phenomenological analysis of experiences of hypersensitivity in autistic individuals Type de document : Texte imprimé et/ou numérique Auteurs : Liesbeth TAELS, Auteur ; Jasper FEYAERTS, Auteur ; Marie LIZON, Auteur ; Melissa DE SMET, Auteur ; Stijn VANHEULE, Auteur Article en page(s) : p.2269-2280 Mots-clés : autism spectrum disorders  embodied subjectivity  interpretative phenomenological analysis  lived experience  sensory processing Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : While atypical sensory processes have become central to scientific explanatory models of autism, such models usually do not explicitly address first-person experiences of sensory processes by autistic individuals. Detailed phenomenological research of this subjective domain is nonetheless essential to ground explanatory accounts in the actual experiences and challenges faced by autistic individuals. Therefore, our study consisted of an interpretative phenomenological analysis of 18 semi-structured interviews with autistic individuals about their experiences of hypersensitivity. Overall, our analysis showed how hypersensitivity pertained to disturbances at a basic level of bodily self-experience and also affected other crucial phenomenological experiential dimensions such as the subjective perception of time and space, sense-making processes, intersubjectivity, and moods. Hypersensitivities were described by participants as intrusive experiences of being vulnerably exposed to overwhelming stimuli that invaded their bodies and were simultaneously related to an invasive, chaotic, unpredictable or threatening perception of the (social) environment. Our study highlights the impact of hypersensitivities on experiential domains outside the strict sensory register, thereby providing further evidence for altered sensory processing as a potential core mechanism involved in a variety of autistic symptoms. Our study also indicates the clinical importance of therapeutic interventions that act on a fragile sense of embodiment in autism.Lay abstractResearch shows that the way autistic individuals perceive and process sensory stimuli differs from those of non-autistic people. However, while current research often focuses on what sensory differences in autism are and which neurocognitive processes may explain these, it often does not explicitly address what it is like to experience the world through the senses of an autistic person. To explore this understudied dimension, we conducted 18 in-depth interviews with autistic individuals in order to better understand how they personally experienced hypersensitivity from a first-person perspective. Participants described hypersensitivity as a feeling of being bombarded by intrusive stimuli that seemed to invade their bodies and from which they had difficulties distancing themselves. They also indicated how due to hypersensitivity they often perceived their (social) environment as invasive, chaotic, unpredictable or threatening. Hypersensitivities were thus not only described as unsettling bodily experiences but also related to challenges in perceiving, understanding and interacting with the (social) world. By focussing on the subjective dimension of sensory processing in autism, our study thus highlights how sensory difficulties are not peripheral features of autism but play an essential part in the daily challenges faced by autistic individuals. En ligne : http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/13623613231158182 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=513 [article] 'I felt like my senses were under attack': An interpretative phenomenological analysis of experiences of hypersensitivity in autistic individuals [Texte imprimé et/ou numérique] / Liesbeth TAELS, Auteur ; Jasper FEYAERTS, Auteur ; Marie LIZON, Auteur ; Melissa DE SMET, Auteur ; Stijn VANHEULE, Auteur . - p.2269-2280. in Autism > 27-8 (November 2023) . - p.2269-2280 Mots-clés : autism spectrum disorders  embodied subjectivity  interpretative phenomenological analysis  lived experience  sensory processing Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : While atypical sensory processes have become central to scientific explanatory models of autism, such models usually do not explicitly address first-person experiences of sensory processes by autistic individuals. Detailed phenomenological research of this subjective domain is nonetheless essential to ground explanatory accounts in the actual experiences and challenges faced by autistic individuals. Therefore, our study consisted of an interpretative phenomenological analysis of 18 semi-structured interviews with autistic individuals about their experiences of hypersensitivity. Overall, our analysis showed how hypersensitivity pertained to disturbances at a basic level of bodily self-experience and also affected other crucial phenomenological experiential dimensions such as the subjective perception of time and space, sense-making processes, intersubjectivity, and moods. Hypersensitivities were described by participants as intrusive experiences of being vulnerably exposed to overwhelming stimuli that invaded their bodies and were simultaneously related to an invasive, chaotic, unpredictable or threatening perception of the (social) environment. Our study highlights the impact of hypersensitivities on experiential domains outside the strict sensory register, thereby providing further evidence for altered sensory processing as a potential core mechanism involved in a variety of autistic symptoms. Our study also indicates the clinical importance of therapeutic interventions that act on a fragile sense of embodiment in autism.Lay abstractResearch shows that the way autistic individuals perceive and process sensory stimuli differs from those of non-autistic people. However, while current research often focuses on what sensory differences in autism are and which neurocognitive processes may explain these, it often does not explicitly address what it is like to experience the world through the senses of an autistic person. To explore this understudied dimension, we conducted 18 in-depth interviews with autistic individuals in order to better understand how they personally experienced hypersensitivity from a first-person perspective. Participants described hypersensitivity as a feeling of being bombarded by intrusive stimuli that seemed to invade their bodies and from which they had difficulties distancing themselves. They also indicated how due to hypersensitivity they often perceived their (social) environment as invasive, chaotic, unpredictable or threatening. Hypersensitivities were thus not only described as unsettling bodily experiences but also related to challenges in perceiving, understanding and interacting with the (social) world. By focussing on the subjective dimension of sensory processing in autism, our study thus highlights how sensory difficulties are not peripheral features of autism but play an essential part in the daily challenges faced by autistic individuals. En ligne : http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/13623613231158182 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=513

Specific interests as a social boundary and bridge: A qualitative interview study with autistic individuals / Marie LIZON in Autism, 28-5 (May 2024)  

Public ISBD [article]  inAutism > 28-5 (May 2024) . - p.1150-1160 Titre : Specific interests as a social boundary and bridge: A qualitative interview study with autistic individuals Type de document : Texte imprimé et/ou numérique Auteurs : Marie LIZON, Auteur ; Liesbeth TAELS, Auteur ; Stijn VANHEULE, Auteur Article en page(s) : p.1150-1160 Langues : Anglais (eng) Mots-clés : autism  grounded theory  interpretative phenomenological analysis  qualitative research  social participation  specific interests Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Autistic individuals often experience challenges in social communication and interaction, and there is growing evidence that specific interests can help them regulate these difficulties. However, it is unclear what specific properties of these interests make them suitable for this role. In this qualitative study, we conducted semi-structured interviews with nine autistic individuals to explore the social functions of their specific interests. Data analysis followed Grounded Theory and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis principles. Our analysis revealed that these interests have two important functions in social communication and interaction. On one hand, they provide a means of disconnecting from the often-distressing challenges in the social outside world. On the other hand, specific interests serve as a social compass: they provide structure and meaning to social reality, can foster a sense of connection with others, and provide an entryway for social participation. Based on these findings, we propose a conceptual model suggesting that specific interests enhance the experience of a psychological boundary between oneself and others, which contributes to a sense of safety during social interactions. Our study suggests that incorporating specific interests into therapeutic interventions can improve the social communication and interaction of autistic individuals, without losing sight of their personal well-being. Lay abstract Growing evidence shows that specific interests can help autistic individuals cope with difficulties in social communication and interaction. However, it is unclear which specific characteristics of these interests make them suitable for this coping role. Therefore, this study explored how specific interests can help autistic individuals navigate social communication and interaction. We conducted semi-structured interviews with nine autistic individuals to inquire about their perspectives on the meanings and functions of their specific interest in their (social) life. We found that specific interests served two important social functions. First, the interests provided a way to disconnect from the challenging outside world, through a shift in the attentional focus of participants. Second, the interests served as a "social compass," providing structure and meaning to social situations and helping the participants feel more connected to others. Based on these findings, we propose a conceptual model suggesting that specific interests create the experience of a "protective boundary" between oneself and others, which helps autistic individuals feel safe during social interactions. Namely, engaging in specific interests not only creates a space where autistic individuals can retreat when they feel overwhelmed, but also provides a framework with delineations in time and space, as well as explicit rules for social interactions, which make them more predictable and regulated. The study suggests that incorporating specific interests into therapy can help improve social communication and interaction for autistic individuals while still prioritizing their personal well-being. En ligne : https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/13623613231193532 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=527 [article] Specific interests as a social boundary and bridge: A qualitative interview study with autistic individuals [Texte imprimé et/ou numérique] / Marie LIZON, Auteur ; Liesbeth TAELS, Auteur ; Stijn VANHEULE, Auteur . - p.1150-1160. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Autism > 28-5 (May 2024) . - p.1150-1160 Mots-clés : autism  grounded theory  interpretative phenomenological analysis  qualitative research  social participation  specific interests Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Autistic individuals often experience challenges in social communication and interaction, and there is growing evidence that specific interests can help them regulate these difficulties. However, it is unclear what specific properties of these interests make them suitable for this role. In this qualitative study, we conducted semi-structured interviews with nine autistic individuals to explore the social functions of their specific interests. Data analysis followed Grounded Theory and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis principles. Our analysis revealed that these interests have two important functions in social communication and interaction. On one hand, they provide a means of disconnecting from the often-distressing challenges in the social outside world. On the other hand, specific interests serve as a social compass: they provide structure and meaning to social reality, can foster a sense of connection with others, and provide an entryway for social participation. Based on these findings, we propose a conceptual model suggesting that specific interests enhance the experience of a psychological boundary between oneself and others, which contributes to a sense of safety during social interactions. Our study suggests that incorporating specific interests into therapeutic interventions can improve the social communication and interaction of autistic individuals, without losing sight of their personal well-being. Lay abstract Growing evidence shows that specific interests can help autistic individuals cope with difficulties in social communication and interaction. However, it is unclear which specific characteristics of these interests make them suitable for this coping role. Therefore, this study explored how specific interests can help autistic individuals navigate social communication and interaction. We conducted semi-structured interviews with nine autistic individuals to inquire about their perspectives on the meanings and functions of their specific interest in their (social) life. We found that specific interests served two important social functions. First, the interests provided a way to disconnect from the challenging outside world, through a shift in the attentional focus of participants. Second, the interests served as a "social compass," providing structure and meaning to social situations and helping the participants feel more connected to others. Based on these findings, we propose a conceptual model suggesting that specific interests create the experience of a "protective boundary" between oneself and others, which helps autistic individuals feel safe during social interactions. Namely, engaging in specific interests not only creates a space where autistic individuals can retreat when they feel overwhelmed, but also provides a framework with delineations in time and space, as well as explicit rules for social interactions, which make them more predictable and regulated. The study suggests that incorporating specific interests into therapy can help improve social communication and interaction for autistic individuals while still prioritizing their personal well-being. En ligne : https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/13623613231193532 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=527

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