https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0379-8877
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ABSTRACT
Background
Autistic people commonly report differing sensory experiences. This research aimed to find out about sensory issues and the sensory environments of autistic adults who did and did not have intellectual disabilities.
Method
Online questionnaires were designed to identify sensory needs. The survey was completed by 138 autistic adults who self-reported and 58 informants reporting about autistic adults who had intellectual disabilities.
Results
Autistic adults self-reported high numbers of sensory needs compared with informant reports of the needs of autistic adults who had intellectual disabilities.
Interpretation
It is possible that informants under-reported issues for autistic adults with intellectual disabilities. Some sensory needs are harder to observe and people with intellectual disabilities may find it difficult to communicate such needs.
Conclusion
The authors propose that better methods of supporting communication of “harder to observe” sensory needs should be developed. Further research is needed.
Acknowledgements
This work was supported by the John and Lorna Wing Foundation.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Declaration of competing interest
The authors report that there are no competing interests to declare.
Data availability statement
Anonymised data is available from the first author on reasonable request.