Title: Too much light

Autistic individual

Experience

I was staying with my family. I was tired from a busy day, and light felt very intense. It was still daylight outside, and the light from the windows was as much light as I could cope with. This much light, I felt like inside my head was swimming and like I was out of touch with my body. I knew I was overstimulated. We had plans to play a board game together. A family member turned the lights on in the room. That really hurt my head right away and I covered my eyes to block the light and said that it was too bright for me. Someone turned off one of the lights, but left the other one on. I can't remember who because I was not able to process anymore. Someone said some words along the lines of "We do have to have some light on to be able to see" in an emphatic tone which suggested I had asked to play in the dark. I did not respond because I was too overwhelmed. I went to bed and under the covers to block out the light. I did not get to play the board game, it was played with out me.

What could have made the experience better?

I think some mutual understanding about the light levels required by different family members would have made me feel better. When sensory needs do not line up, it is difficult to find the solution, but I felt I was treated as riduculous for having needs. I have many friends who would have been happy with the same light level to play games in with me - this had helped me understand that I am not being difficult on purpose and have the confidence to leave a space that is not ok for me. Perhaps some different types of lights could help the situation too, but as it is not my house, I do not have that choice.