Why do Some People with Autism Struggle with Heat Intolerance?

With temperatures rising, it’s important to remember that individuals with autism may have a lower heat tolerance compared to neurotypicals. This can be attributed to differences in the sensory processing region of their brain but other factors like interoception as well as communication are also important to consider. 

 

Sensory sensitivities 

The brains and autonomic nervous systems of individuals with autism may react differently to external stimuli, such as temperature. The same temperature may feel intolerable or even painful to a neurodivergent compared to a neurotypical. The inverse is also true; some people with autism may be less affected by heat. 

Interoception & Communication Challenges

Some individuals with autism have troubles with interoception – a sort of “sixth sense” that lets us know when we’re hungry, thirsty, too hot or cold, etc. These signals indicate (in the case of overheating) that we need to find some shade, wear cooler clothes, begin to sweat, and do anything else that brings our body temperature back down. For some, this interoceptive sense is muted, making it challenging to recognize the early signs that they need to cool down, which can potentially lead to overheating. 

People on the autism spectrum may find it difficult to communicate their needs for a few reasons. A nonspeaking individual may have a harder time letting others know they are uncomfortable, making it important to develop hand signals or ways to alert another person in advance, giving them proper tools to express this.  Alternatively, someone on the autism spectrum may get lost in their activities, hyperfixating on a specific task and forget to check in with how their body is feeling.

 

How to help

If you have a friend or loved one with autism who struggles with heat, there are several steps you can take to provide support.

• Watch for early signs that they are uncomfortable. Some indicators include increased irritability, sweating, lethargy, and speaking less, among others. 
• If they have difficulty asking for accommodations, reassure them that you’re ready to help them.
• Offer ways to cool down, such as a cold shower or drink, cooler clothes, moving to the shade, or providing a fan.

For more resources to help individuals with autism, book a session with one of our counsellors here.