![\"Opens](\"https:\/\/safesleepsystems.com\/wp-content\/themes\/acabado-6\/img\/extlink.png\" "\\"Opens")
<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\nThis article is evidence-based, verified by\u00a0<\/em>Dr. Ahmed Zayed<\/em><\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Light sensitivity is a constant and serious problem among individuals with autism. This problem is so common, 96% of autistic individuals<\/a> are experiencing it. While the way the visual stimuli are experienced varies from person to person, the uncomfortable symptoms affect everyone’s day to day lives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this post, we'll cover:<\/p>\n
Being sensitive to certain types of light like wavelengths and brightness makes an individual experience a sensory overload. These individuals can’t tolerate light, such as fluorescent, sunlight, or incandescent light. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When faced with these stimuli, they can experience both hypo-sensitivities<\/strong> (under-responsiveness) and hyper-sensitivities<\/strong> (over-responsiveness). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Light sensitivity overlaps an individual\u2019s senses and disturbs them, often resulting in distortions. For example, those who experience light sensitivity have trouble walking on a bright and sunny day. Instead, they will try to go to the nearest darkest area where it will be possible to cover the eyes and not be affected by the glare. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For them, roads, sidewalks, shops with huge open windows are too much. Certain lights are incredibly difficult to tolerate, particularly due to hypo-sensitivity or hypersensitivity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hypo-sensitivity<\/a> is often associated with discomfort, physical withdrawal, aggressive behavior, irritability, and distraction. If an individual has a hard time dealing with the stimuli, they will try to avoid it or become hostile due to their inability to deal with the problem. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on statistics, 50% of individuals with autism are vulnerable to fluorescent light. This type of light has particularly negative effects since it causes severe sensitivity. In fact, fluorescent light can increase repetitive behaviors<\/a> in children with autism. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In recent years, there was little research on autism and light sensitivity, so it is very difficult for researchers to pinpoint the exact reason for the stimuli and the painful responses people may experience. But, some hypotheses have appeared. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some experts believe the abnormal pupillary light reflex <\/a>is the cause of the problem. This reflex refers to how the pupil adapts and reacts to different light sources, brightness, light wavelengths, etc. It seems that the photosensitive retinal ganglion cells<\/a> could be the reason behind the impaired sensory stimuli the same way they affect migraines. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on the type of light and intensity, people can experience different triggers for painful headaches that can be even more harmful during a migraine attack<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another possible factor is the \u201csenses overload.”<\/a> If there is a bright light in an already disorienting and visually stimulating environment, it’s possible to result in strong painful responses. The higher the light intensity, or the higher the wavelengths, the more painful it can be. In the end, the brain is confused and unable to process the stimuli properly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Physical symptoms are one of the most common manifestations for autistic individuals, and they can include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, there can also be other signs that are less recognizable like anxiety to light stimuli, inability to socially interact in bright spaces, or stay focused when there are different types of sensory disruptions in the same area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s very important to take precautions and reduce light sensitivity when possible. For those who prefer dim places, it\u2019s important to keep the lights dim in the rooms where the individual spends most of their time. Replacing any artificial lights with natural lights is another way to reduce exposure. But, outside, it can be a different problem. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For individuals with autism, wearing glasses or hats to reduce visual stimuli is possible but more difficult. On the outside, the different stimuli will only increase. Avoiding such factors is more challenging than controlling the exposure in confined areas, like one\u2019s room. But, as long as the individual wears something to cover the eyes, they can manage the symptoms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you believe you need more help controlling the exposure, it\u2019s imperative that you consult a doctor. Since the stimuli can affect every individual differently, treatments can vary. The doctor might suggest wearing glasses or anything else that can help deal with the stressors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Dr.](\"https:\/\/safesleepsystems.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Picture11-e1574099738510-150x150.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nDr. Ahmed Zayed<\/strong>, MD holds a baccalaureate of Medicine and Surgery. An avid contributor to the Huffington Post<\/strong> and Chicago Tribune<\/strong>, Dr. Zayed believes in providing accurate and accessible information to general readers. With years of writing and editing content in the medical niche, Dr. Zayed likes to think of himself as a man with a mission, keeping the internet free of false medical information. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/li><\/a><\/li><\/a><\/li><\/a><\/li><\/a><\/li><\/a><\/li><\/a><\/li><\/a><\/li><\/a><\/li><\/a><\/li><\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"This article is evidence-based, verified by\u00a0Dr. Ahmed Zayed Light sensitivity is a constant and serious problem among individuals with autism. This problem is so common, 96% of autistic individuals are experiencing it. While<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1047,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[195],"tags":[16,207,180],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/safesleepsystems.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/daniel-monteiro-XYioezoksdk-unsplash-scaled.jpg","acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/safesleepsystems.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1048"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/safesleepsystems.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/safesleepsystems.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/safesleepsystems.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/safesleepsystems.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1048"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/safesleepsystems.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1048\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3207,"href":"https:\/\/safesleepsystems.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1048\/revisions\/3207"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/safesleepsystems.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1047"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/safesleepsystems.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1048"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/safesleepsystems.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1048"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/safesleepsystems.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1048"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
