Why Sensory Feelings Can Be Different for Kids With Autism

You may have noticed your child with autism reacts strongly to touch, avoids certain fabrics, or doesn’t seem to notice injuries — and you’re not imagining it.

A study published in the medical journal Neurology and highlighted by the American Academy of Neurology explored how sensory nerves work in people with autism, and the findings give insight into why many children with autism experience sensory challenges.

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What the Study Was About

Researchers compared a group of adults with autism to people without autism to understand how their peripheral nervous system — the nerves that help us feel touch, pain, and temperature — functions.

They used skin biopsies and tests that measure nerve responses to heat and examined the nerve fibers’ structure.

Key Findings

Here’s what the research showed:

Reduced nerve fiber density: Over half of the adults with autism in the study had lower density of small nerve fibers in their skin compared with the people without autism.

Differences in how sensations are felt: People with lower nerve fiber density tended to feel heat at higher temperatures — meaning they needed more intense stimulation before sensing it — compared to others.

Sensory experiences varied: Interestingly, people with autism who did not have reduced nerve fibers were more likely to report disliking touch and being bothered by certain textures. Meanwhile, those with reduced nerve fibers sometimes preferred being barefoot and might not notice scratches or bruises.

What This Means for Parents

This study doesn’t change autism diagnoses — it doesn’t suggest all kids with autism will have nerve fiber differences — but it helps explain what’s happening at a sensory level for many children.

Here’s how you might see these differences in daily life:

Your child may avoid certain clothes or textures that feel uncomfortable.
They might seek more intense physical input, like preferring to go barefoot or press into surfaces.
Some children may not easily notice minor injuries or changes in temperature.

These sensory experiences are more than quirks — they are rooted in how the nervous system processes sensations.

What You Can Do

Understanding that sensory differences have a biological basis can help you support your child in everyday life:

Create sensory-friendly environments: Soft fabrics, dim lighting and calm spaces reduce overwhelm.
Talk with professionals: Occupational therapists can help develop strategies for sensory needs.
Observe and adapt: Recognize patterns in what your child prefers or avoids and adjust routines accordingly.