Sensory Bliss: The Autistic Superpower Nobody Talks About

People love to talk about the sensory sensitivities that make life a little… prickly for autistic folks.
Yes, socks with seams are the devil’s invention.
Yes, anything touching my feet feels like I’m being personally attacked by a fabric-wielding assassin.
Yes, I once threw out an entire pair of shoes because the lining brushed my heel in the wrong way.

But here’s the thing nobody mentions: sensory pleasures can be just as intense. And when they hit, it’s like the universe is giving you a five-star spa treatment for free.

Example:
My pets’ fur. It’s not just “soft.” It’s the kind of soft that makes me want to sink into it like a cartoon character disappearing into a pile of pillows. I have to actively stop myself from narrating aloud, “Your fur is better than my will to live,” because apparently, that’s “weird” to say to a cat.

Or the smell of the blending of vanilla and coconut. People are like, “Oh, the smell is relaxing.”
Relaxing? Relaxing? No, my friend. The combination is a full-body experience for me. One whiff and my brain rolls over, sighs happily, and takes a nap in a meadow in Provence.

Colours, too. I have favourite shades that make me feel borderline euphoric. You know that one perfect shade of teal? The one that makes you feel like you’ve been gently adopted by the ocean? That one.

And then there’s the Les Misérables soundtrack. When “One Day More” swells to that final note, I’m not just enjoying it—I’m riding a sensory tidal wave, clutching my metaphorical tri-color flag, ready to storm the barricade.

I sometimes wonder if neurotypical people feel this level of sensory joy. Do they experience “ooh, that’s nice” or “mmm, pleasant” … while I’m over here having a full spiritual awakening because a blanket is exactly the right weight?

It could be my autistic brain, tuned to pick up every sensory detail—sometimes to my detriment, but sometimes to my ecstatic delight. If that’s the case, I’m keeping this perk. Because yes, shoes will betray me, but pet fur and French revolution musicals will never let me down.

Here are some other traits I love: