Autistic people often struggle to tell when they're too hot: 5 ways to help
Recent decades have seen a year-on-year increase in clinical diagnoses of autism. Unfortunately, autism and temperature regulation problems often go hand in hand, especially in summer.
Autistic individuals frequently encounter difficulties in determining when their body temperature becomes dangerously high, particularly during the summer months. Thermoception, or the perception of temperature, is an essential component of the human somatosensory system, aiding in maintaining body temperature regulation. The skin temperature of humans is usually around 32°C (90°F), and rapid temperature fluctuations are more perceptible than slow changes.
Harmless thermal stimuli range from 15°C (59°F) to 43°C (109°F), with warmth sensed at approximately 36°C (97°F) and heat-induced pain around 45°C (113°F).
Sensory issues, a common challenge for both children and adults with autism, can significantly impact temperature regulation. Approximately 95% of children with autism experience problems with temperature regulation, often due to heightened sensory sensitivity (hypersensitivity) or reduced sensitivity (hyporesponsiveness) to sensory stimuli.
These sensory challenges can lead to children refusing appropriate clothing for the season and struggling with temperature regulation due to an inability to perceive changes in their body or environmental temperature.
Neurophysiological evidence suggests that an increase in brain temperature can impair cognitive functioning by enhancing inhibitory neuronal mechanisms. This can manifest as an apparent fever, even when there is no underlying illness. Conversely, some autistic children may feel cold when others around them do not. Some autistic individuals may also experience heat intolerance, becoming easily overwhelmed, sweating excessively, and becoming agitated in hot conditions.
To help those with autism effectively regulate their core body temperature, families and caregivers can implement several strategies, including providing comfortable clothing options, access to cooling or warming resources, and ensuring that the individual has spaces to adjust their proximity to heat or cold sources.
Written by urgent.news from Medical Xpress's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
