Can misophonia be a sign of autism?

Bright lights, loud noises, strong smells, and other intense stimuli can be uncomfortable for anyone. But sensory sensitivities are especially common among people with autism spectrum disorder (autism). Misophonia is a specific type of sensory sensitivity that’s characterized by a strong emotional and physical reaction to human sounds. This includes things like chewing, coughing, or breathing.

Sound sensitivity is a known feature of autism. Loud, high-pitched, and unexpected sounds can make people with autism feel uncomfortable. This has made some people wonder if there’s a link between misophonia and autism. Few researchers have explored this topic, and there’s no clear consensus. But studies show that misophonia might be associated with more severe autistic characteristics. 

If you have autism and are struggling with sound sensitivity, know that you’re not alone. Learning more about autism and misophonia can help you find support.

The link between misophonia and autism

Misophonia isn’t a recognized symptom of autism. But it’s often associated with it. Misophonia can also occur alongside obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety, depression, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). 

We don’t yet fully understand the connection between misophonia and autism. But research suggests it might be tied to:

• Genetics: Like with autism, having a family member with misophonia might increase your risk. About 43% of people with misophonia have a first-degree relative — like a parent, sibling, or a child — with it.
• Brain differences: People with autism and misophonia have similar differences in the parts of the brain that regulate emotion.
• Physiological effects: Both misophonia and autism can involve similar responses to triggers. This can include anger, frustration, overwhelm, and anxiety due to human sounds.

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What misophonia is like for autistic people

For people with misophonia, human sounds can be irritating. Some of the most common triggers of misophonia in people with autism include:

• Coughing
• Chewing
• Throat clearing
• Snoring
• Audible breathing
• Lip-smacking or kissing
• Toe tapping or other movement noises (i.e. high heels clicking on the floor)

Misophonia triggers can affect people with autism in various ways. But it’s important to remember that it’s more than an annoyance. 

For example, imagine sitting next to a coworker as they loudly chew their lunch. Or think about trying to fall asleep as your partner snores and coughs. These scenarios can be frustrating for anyone. But for people with misophonia and autism, the response is more severe. For them, human sounds can cause intense disgust, panic, rage, and a loss of control. It can also cause distressing physical responses like a rapid heart rate or tense muscles.

Research shows that misophonia might worsen autism symptoms (and vice versa). For example, anger is a known stress response for both conditions. Without support, autism and misophonia can impact a person’s daily functioning. These conditions can affect their relationships, school performance, and ability to work.

What you can do to manage misophonia and autism

If you think you might have misophonia and autism, one of the best things you can do is get an evaluation. Working with a doctor or therapist will ensure you receive the right support for your needs. Misophonia is not a stand-alone sign of autism or a distinct diagnosis. But your provider can create a treatment plan to address both concerns. 

Here’s what that might entail:

• Identifying triggers: Knowing your triggers can help you manage your response to them. For example, perhaps you have an extreme aversion to the sound of chewing. If you know that, you can make a choice to avoid situations where you might hear loud chewing. Or, you can use noise-canceling headphones to drown out the sound.
• Exploring self-care strategies: Sensory overwhelm can be physically and emotionally draining. After an episode of misophonia, it can help to do some self-care. This could include moving to a quiet, dark room or doing some gentle movement.
• Practicing self-advocacy: If a sound is causing you distress, it’s OK to speak up and advocate for yourself. For example, you can ask your boss or teacher if you can wear earplugs in a noisy environment (as long as it’s safe to do so).
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT explores the connections between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It can help you change your response to sounds and other triggers.
• Occupational therapy (OT): People with autism and misophonia can use OT to enhance their tolerance for human sounds. This might include strategies to reduce stress and auditory sensitivity while enhancing resilience.

Find care with Rula

While it’s not an official symptom of autism, misophonia and autism often go hand in hand. These experiences can also worsen one another. But fortunately, with the right support, relief is possible. If you’re living with misophonia and autism, therapy can help you reduce your sound sensitivity and manage stress in healthy ways.

At Rula, we’re committed to delivering a comprehensive behavioral health experience that helps people feel seen and understood so they can get back to feeling their best. 

Rula makes it easier to find a licensed therapist or psychiatric provider who accepts your insurance so you don’t have to choose between affordable care and excellent care. With a diverse network of more than 15,000 providers, 24/7 crisis support, and appointments available as soon as tomorrow, we’re here to help you make progress — wherever you are on your mental health journey.

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