The “Highly Sensitive Person” is Code for Autistic
Some accommodations are normalized while others are pathologized
Everyone needs accommodations to thrive
I just read an article arguing that highly sensitive people (HSP) and autistic people are not the same. The article then went on to describe all the ways in which they are, in fact, The. Same. Thing.
The screen shot below was from the section detailing all of the “differences”, under the subheading impact of environment:
If I’m reading this correctly, HSPs require environmental accommodations in order to flourish, whereas autistic people require accommodations to thrive…
Can somebody please explain to me where the difference is?
For example, the article states:
“Research has shown that highly sensitive individuals have poorer developmental outcomes and an increased likelihood of behavioural and psychological difficulties in stressful and unsupportive early environments.”
Research has shown the exact same thing for autistics.
One study showed that the two greatest predictors of poor physical health in autistics were anxiety and sensation sensitivity behaviours — in other words, sensory processing differences, also known as being “highly sensitive”.
Another study listed the three most important predictors of quality of life for autistic adults, which were: employment, relationships, and social supports. In other words, a supportive employer, supportive partner, and a supportive environment.
I’m still not clear on where the differences are.
It seems to me (and to other Autistic self-advocates whose work I read daily), calling someone a highly sensitive person is another euphemism for asperger’s or “high functioning” autism — both of which are out-dated and ableist terms with roots in eugenics.
It’s a way of saying, “I’m not autistic, I just have many autistic characteristics” or worse, “I’m better than autistics. I still have many of the same traits, but I’m just sensitive.”
According to the sources I could find (most of which were not peer-reviewed), some signs you may be a HSP are:
Being deeply moved by beauty, either expressed in art, nature, or the human spirit.
Being overwhelmed by sensory stimuli like noisy crowds, bright lights, or uncomfortable clothing.
Feeling a need for downtime (not just a preference), especially when you have hectic days; needing to retreat to a dark, quiet room.
Having a rich and complex inner life, complete with deep thoughts and strong feelings that go with it.
Every single one of those are qualities and traits that I experience, and are commonly understood as part of autism in the autistic community*.
*Obviously we’re not a homogenous group, and not every single autistic person will agree with me.
I mean, if you’re going to say you’re autistic, just say you’re autistic.
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