What is it really like to have sensory processing challenges? Have you ever felt shamed because of your response to a noise that is deemed unacceptable by society? Nikki Butler - The Autistic Joyologist and I discuss how certain sounds can be painful, change our emotional state and send us in to fight or flight mode in an instant! What prompted this raw, unedited and uncut discussion was how I felt massively misunderstood when sharing my experiences while delivering an autism training session a while ago. While being vulnerable and sharing my personal experience about how certain noises, in this case babies crying actually hurt my ears and result in fight or flight, a participant suggested that 'of course, mothers are distressed by the sound, that's a natural response to go and comfort the baby'. I was taken back by this response as the point I was making was not about being a mother (I am not one) but to illustrate how physically painful sound can feel! The sound or more so the pitch hurts and sends us into panic mode, full stop. The impact of an assumption has been long lasting and when Nikki suggested we talk about it for an episode of Adventures with ADHD I agreed that it might help me to get it off my chest once and for all. Discussing our experiences helps us and we hope it helps others to know they are not alone and that they are seen. We would like the wider world understand what is going on for us when our senses which are already heightened become too much to cope with. Oh and please take note - if someone whether autistic or not tells you something hurts/bothers them then please listen, accept and believe what they say. Thank you. Please like and share this video to help us spread awareness and more importantly understanding of the autistic experience.