People with autism often have different sensory experiences, cognitive styles, and interests than non-autistic people.
These differences can be a source of strength and diversity, but they can also pose challenges in everyday life.
One of the common challenges that many people with autism face is chronic pain.
Chronic pain is a persistent pain that lasts for more than three months. Chronic pain can affect your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Chronic pain can make it hard to concentrate, remember things, make decisions, or perform tasks. Chronic pain can also affect your mood, motivation, and self-esteem.
People with autism may experience chronic pain more often or more intensely than non-autistic people for various reasons. Some of the possible causes of chronic pain in autism are:
- Sensory overload: People with autism may be more sensitive to sensory stimuli, such as sounds, lights, smells, textures, or temperatures. Sensory overload can occur when the sensory input is too intense, too frequent, or too unpredictable for the person to process. Sensory overload can cause stress, anxiety, headaches, nausea, or other physical symptoms. It can also drain the person's energy and mental resources.
- Co-occurring conditions: People with autism may have other medical conditions that cause or worsen chronic pain. For example, they may have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which is a disorder that affects the digestive system and causes abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation. They may also have epilepsy, which is a disorder that causes seizures and can trigger headaches or muscle pain. They may also have intellectual disability or cerebral palsy, which can affect their motor skills and cause muscle stiffness or spasms.
- Self-injury: People with autism may engage in self-injurious behaviors (SIBs), such as biting, scratching, hitting, or head-banging. SIBs can be a way for people with autism to cope with stress, frustration, boredom, or sensory issues. However, SIBs can also cause physical harm and pain to the person. SIBs can also create a cycle of pain and stress that is hard to break.
- Masking: Masking is a coping strategy that involves hiding or suppressing one's natural behaviors or feelings to fit in with others. People with autism may mask their autistic traits to avoid stigma, discrimination, or misunderstanding from society. Masking can be exhausting and harmful for the person's mental health and identity. Masking can also increase the risk of developing chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome.
How to recognize chronic pain in autism
Chronic pain in autism can manifest in different ways for different people. Some of the possible signs of chronic pain in autism are:
- Changes in behavior: People with autism may exhibit changes in their behavior when they are in pain. For example, they may become more irritable, aggressive, withdrawn, or apathetic.
They may also lose interest in their hobbies, activities, or social interactions.
They may also increase their SIBs or stimming behaviors.
Stimming is a term that refers to self-stimulatory behaviors, such as rocking, flapping, spinning, humming, or tapping.
Stimming can be a way for people with autism to regulate their emotions, cope with stress, or express themselves.
However, stimming can also consume a lot of energy and attention.
- Changes in communication: People with autism may have difficulties with communicating their pain verbally or nonverbally.
For example, they may not use words or gestures to indicate their pain level or location.
They may also use unusual words or phrases to describe their pain sensations.
They may also have difficulties with understanding others' expressions of pain or empathy.
They may also avoid eye contact or physical contact when they are in pain.
- Changes in physical appearance: People with autism may show changes in their physical appearance when they are in pain. For example, they may have pale skin, flushed cheeks, sweaty forehead, or dark circles under their eyes.
They may also have tense muscles, clenched teeth, or furrowed brows.
They may also adopt unusual postures or movements to avoid or relieve their pain.
How to manage chronic pain in autism
Chronic pain in autism can be prevented or reduced by taking care of one's physical, mental, and emotional needs.
Some of the possible strategies for managing chronic pain in autism are:
- Seek medical help: Seeking medical help from professionals who are knowledgeable and respectful of autism is essential for diagnosing and treating chronic pain conditions.
The person with autism should have a thorough physical examination and medical history to rule out any underlying causes of their pain. They should also have access to appropriate medications, therapies, or interventions that can help them manage their pain effectively and safely.
- Use sensory strategies: Using sensory strategies can help people with autism to cope with sensory overload and pain. Sensory strategies involve modifying the environment or using tools or techniques to reduce or enhance sensory input. For example, the person with autism can use earplugs, headphones, sunglasses, or hats to block out unwanted sounds, lights, or sights.
They can also use weighted blankets, massage, or aromatherapy to provide soothing tactile, pressure, or olfactory sensations.
They can also use fidget toys, chewy items, or music to provide stimulating oral, motor, or auditory sensations.
- Use relaxation techniques: Using relaxation techniques can help people with autism to reduce stress and pain. Relaxation techniques involve using breathing, visualization, or meditation exercises to calm the mind and body. For example, the person with autism can practice deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or guided imagery to lower their heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle tension.
They can also practice mindfulness, yoga, or tai chi to increase their awareness and acceptance of their present moment experience.
- Seek support: Seeking support from others can help people with autism to cope with chronic pain and its impact on their life. The person with autism can reach out to their family, friends, peers, mentors, or professionals who understand and respect their needs and preferences.
They can also join online or offline communities of people with autism or chronic pain who share their experiences and offer advice and encouragement.
Autism and chronic pain are closely related phenomena that can affect many aspects of a person's life.
People with autism may experience chronic pain more often or more intensely than non-autistic people for various reasons, such as sensory overload, co-occurring conditions, self-injury, or masking.
Chronic pain in autism can manifest in different ways, such as changes in behavior, communication, or physical appearance.
Chronic pain in autism can be prevented or reduced by taking care of one's physical, mental, and emotional needs.
Some of the possible strategies for managing chronic pain in autism are seeking medical help, using sensory strategies, using relaxation techniques, or seeking support.
If you are a person with autism who is experiencing chronic pain, you are not alone. There are many resources and people who can help you. You deserve to live a fulfilling and happy life.
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Sources:
[Autistic children disproportionately affected by chronic pain - Spectrum](^2^)
[Pain in Autism Spectrum Disorders | SpringerLink](^1^)
[Autism and Chronic Pain: How Are They Connected? - Golden Steps ABA](^3^)
[The Relationship Between Autism And Pain – Put Children First](^4^)
Source: Conversation with Bing, 14/08/2023
(1) Autistic children disproportionately affected by chronic pain - Spectrum. https://www.spectrumnews.org/news/autistic-children-disproportionately-affected-by-chronic-pain/.
(2) Pain in Autism Spectrum Disorders | SpringerLink. https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/978-3-319-91280-6_102488.
(3) Autism and Chronic Pain: How Are They Connected? - Golden Steps ABA. https://www.goldenstepsaba.com/resources/autism-and-chronic-pain.
(4) The Relationship Between Autism And Pain – Put Children First. https://www.putchildrenfirst.org/the-relationship-between-autism-and-pain.
