I rock my body in rhythm with the beat as I pump my arms back and forth. It is an hour into Deadmau5’s show at Red Rocks Amphitheater. Drums are paired with the humming of an electric keyboard. Laser-like blue and green rays stand out against the night sky, illuminating the towering red rocks bordering rows of benches. I love the sound, but the lighting is my favorite part. The music pours into my ears and fills every crevice of my mind, quickly overpowering any fleeting thoughts or fears. I glance to my left at my friend who is also moving to the music contentedly. She catches my gaze and leans toward me, extending her arm into a half hug.
“Thank you again for this,” I say, now that she is close enough to hear me. “I really needed this.”
Some say it’s strange for an autistic person to like concerts. Yes, one may think so, but is it really?
It is true that people on the spectrum often struggle to regulate sensory input. Therapy often targets ways to tolerate overpowering stimuli such as loud sounds or bright lights, which can become overwhelming especially when combined. However, while an excess of irritating stimuli can lead to discomfort, the opposite may open the door to a joyous experience. That is to say, a high level of enjoyable sensory input can be helpful in managing dysregulation.
Have you heard the term ‘sensory dysregulation’? It comes up often when referring to people on the spectrum. Maybe your first thoughts about it invoke a person who melts under bright lights, runs from crowds, or otherwise has difficulty with sensory input. That’s an example of somebody who is hypersensitive, or affected at a heightened level by the mix of sensory input surrounding them. Conversely, other people on the spectrum are hyposensitive, meaning that they do not register sensory signals as much, and oftentimes crave a higher level than they are getting. Hyposensitive people sometimes engage in sensory-seeking behaviors. This can lead to self-injurious behaviors such as head banging in addition to repetitive or self-stimulatory actions like rocking.
Concerts encompass massive levels of stimuli. In addition to the music that draws crowds, venues contain swarms of people, lighting effects, and scents. If and when the majority of these sensory signals are enjoyable to a person (and thus preferred), this provides a soothing experience. Concerts are one of the few places in which movement is reinforced by the crowd. You will not appear strange if you are dancing, singing, or even rocking back and forth. People are often envious of how lively I am and how long I can dance. This is very refreshing when in everyday life I often have difficulty keeping still.
“Stimming” is the word used for a whole variety of movements that provide soothing relief to people on the spectrum. Personally, at times I’m not aware that I’m stimming until I’ve been doing it for a few seconds. This has sometimes alienated me from other people, who are thrown off by what seems strange to them about these motions, among which are rocking back and forth. Dancing is a form of stimming that soothes me just as rocking does. Concerts provide a place where I can interact with other people while stimming at the same time. What a great context in which to connect with other people, especially since forming easy connections is another area that is often challenging for people on the spectrum.
People frequently utilize sensory input as a means of redirecting anxiety or discomfort. Many have reported that they are more likely to engage in self-injurious or self-stimulatory behaviors when feeling anxious or uncomfortable. They are using the sensory field as a means to overcome challenges arising in other areas. Places such as concerts that offer high levels of healthy stimuli can be helpful because they bestow an array of joyful sensory input. Furthermore, attending to all the stimuli at these events often consumes my full attention. This is a great way to take my mind away from other conflicts.
Accounts from people on the autism spectrum have cited a common tendency to become obsessed with things they find interesting, or relationships or conflicts. I certainly am a person who fixates on abstract conflicts, so it is essential for me to identify other ways to fully occupy my mind. This gives me a break. When I’m having difficulty directing my thoughts away from fixations, I find great relief in environments that encourage placing those fixations on the back burner of my mind. Activities that are not only entertaining but also thought-consuming are what I find most helpful, and for me these include concerts, painting, writing, and exploring the outdoors.
It is helpful to both identify and embrace your sensory field. Take the time to identify stimuli that soothe you, bring you joy, or that you simply prefer, whether scents, sounds, or textures. Then do what you can to maximize their presence in your life. Conversely, try to minimize exposure to non-preferred inputs, and find ways to compensate for them when they are unavoidable. Overall, I find the use of supportive and soothing sensory stimuli to be essential in managing discomfort. Concerts are one of my favorite sensory outlets. What are yours?
