Like the canary in the mine shaft, autistics may be the ones
heralding the warning that there is "too much" in the world to
today. We are often first to recognize and react to the excessive
stimuli…and let me tell you, it is a very noisy and distracting
world. Everyday, we are surrounded by a symphony of sounds and
sensory stimulation competing for our attention. Most people can
filter and manage this symphony better than us, but when you add in
additional stress like deadlines, appointments and a fast pace to
the world, then most humans will loose their attention and are less
functioning.

It is a topic that needs our awareness. "Too much" reduces
functioning capacity and causes more stress. This interferes with
the ability to focus and disrupts flow. It also consumes mental
energy that could be better applied elsewhere. Schools and other
public facilities recognize the importance of simplicity and how
environments affect everyone, so awareness and shifts to reduce
distractions is good for all.

So what can you learn from us canaries so that your mind may
function at a higher capacity?

*** Everything matters. There are more layers than meets the
eye. Attention to reducing stress of the senses can be brought to
every aspect of living and working to bring forth higher
functioning.

*** Less energy consumed on filtering peripheral stimulus means
application of mental energy elsewhere. Visit your home, work place
or yourself as if was for the first time, picking out where
reductions of stimulus can be made: Colors, clutter, traffic noise,
fans, television, flickering of lights, strong smells, uncomfortable
clothing or seating are some examples.

*** Organizing your home and work can improve functioning.
Disorganization is distracting, creates negative stress and mental
exhaustion. It changes your own harmonics and can ripple out and
affect others.

*** Get your thoughts and body back in sync. Yes, this is
possible. Neuroscience has proven what I naturally discovered.
When I need to put my self back in order, I listen to music. It is
amazing what 20 minutes with a head set and good music does to help
me function at a higher capacity.

Those on the Autistic spectrum or with sensory issues are often
given the label of attention deficit, although sometimes
incorrectly. Why? One reason may be that we often portray the
symptoms because mental resources are taxed to the max by the age of
information overload in which we live in. It is a lot of work to
filter the abundant layers of noises, smells and other sensory
stimuli. A world with "too much" equals too much mental energy
burned on filtering.

Whatever your link may be to autism, launching a goal to remove
distractions and bring more simplicity and organization into your
life will herald more harmony and productive accomplishments for
yourself and those around you. Elizabeth Seaton stated this
plainly; "Live simply that others might simply live. "

Pamela Kluth ©2008
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