“How do you listen to music if you’re constantly overstimulated?” I get that question a lot when people see me walking around with my headphones on. And while you wouldn’t catch me in earbuds because of the feeling of the buds in my ears, I do frequently have headphones on. I may not be blasting the music, but having a backdrop of noise that I have a say in feels comforting. It also feels good because the music is an expression of me, as opposed to trying to interpret the expressions from the universe. The repetition is also soothing; I have my cycle of favorite songs that instantly calm me down when I’m starting to get anxious. When things are overwhelmingly unpredictable, it feels like an auditory weighted blanket.
A specific technique I’ve learned has been to create a playlist with a few songs that calm me down when I’m upset. I always have my headphones for moments where it’s appropriate, so that I have an immediate way to center myself when things feel very scattered. I’ll take a lap and listen to my comfort music until I feel steady enough to handle the situation ahead of me.
You also may notice some individuals on the spectrum wearing headphones, even with no music playing. The reason is not exact but it is very similar; the headphones create an auditory escape for stimuli that can’t be controlled. Obviously, everyone’s experience on the spectrum is different. My brother, also diagnosed with ASD, has no issues with loud sounds. He gets overwhelmed and unable to respond if there are too many voices at one, but the volume of the noise itself doesn’t seem to bother him– it actually seems to provide him with a different sense of comfort to let his senses be totally immersed in sound. It truly is different for everyone, and every person with ASD strives to find a way to manage the sensory intake of the world. If you find something that works for you, then it’s more than valid.
~Anonymous Writer
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