Aspergers and HFA Children and Their Reaction to Pain

As parents of kids with Aspergers and High-Functioning Autism (HFA), we are all familiar with the enigma of their unequal reaction to pain and injury. A stubbed toe or paper cut may set off a pain response (e.g., crying, screaming, and sobbing) such as is equaled by the loss of a limb, yet a burst ear drum or broken limb may go seemingly unnoticed.

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Comments

Anonymous said…
It is nice to finally have an explanation for why my son cries over the smallest bump, but wasn't worried when he sliced his hand open and needed stitches. Thank you!
December 6, 2011 at 9:53 AM
Anonymous said…
This is an amazing article...thank you so very much for posting it...:)
December 6, 2011 at 9:53 AM
Anonymous said…
My son broke his foot at 4 yrs old by knocking over a concrete block on it, barefoot!.. of coarse it broke n he didn't shed a tear, he was suppose to wear a hard cast 6 weeks n by the 3 rd week he had literally run it off.. it never healed properly n he is now 6 n the top of his foot is still red to this day...knowing if he's sick or hurting is always a question ...
December 6, 2011 at 9:53 AM
Anonymous said…
My oldest daughter fell and broke her front tooth down to the nerve and was acting like nothing happened... but yet she freaks out over shots and stubbing her toes. :/ I always wonder at every injury if she hasn't done more damage than she can express or even knows about.
December 6, 2011 at 10:25 AM
Anonymous said…
My Aspie (7), doesn't usually ever feel the pain unless he can see the injury like blood. Once he sees it, he freaks out, even if it is a simple paper cut. He had a bursted ear drum once and we never knew it because he never complains of pain.
December 6, 2011 at 10:26 AM
Anonymous said…
This is a great article. 20 years ago my son broke his arm at the elbow, he was so calm, didn't cry. The nurses in the emergency room were telling him he should be the one crying like the other kids in the other rooms. He has always taken that kind of pain so well, yet his back pain he is always obsessing about. Of course when he was 4 we didn't know he was an Aspie. This article made it so clear.
December 7, 2011 at 7:21 AM
Anonymous said…
When my son was 6 he almost died. He had a blood infection and internal bleeding. He never said a word.He never notices the pain from Ear infections and strep throat. If I ever even suspect an illness we go straight to the doctor. Nice to know I'm not alone.
December 7, 2011 at 7:22 AM
Anonymous said…
I am an adult aspie and I have been told that when I had my jabs as a baby I was the only one that did not cry lol. Apparently I just glared at the nurse.
December 7, 2011 at 7:22 AM
Anonymous said…
Can I please just tell you how much I love and appreciate what you do for us as parents of a newly diagnosed 11-year old with Asperger's? This is something our son exhibits all the time, but we didn't know it was related to the Asperger's. Thank you for helping us be patient and understanding.
December 7, 2011 at 7:22 AM
Anonymous said…
when i took my son to the doc he had a hole in his ear drum the doc. could not believe it kept asking are ya sure that does not hurt?!! but the smallest scratch and its tears and panic..
December 7, 2011 at 7:23 AM
Unknown said…
My 8 year old just started complaining of pain in her feet. She says it hurts so much that she doesnt want to stand up or walk. Im unsure of it could be and its helped to read this article. To be on the safe side, should I have her seen by her physician?
Thanks
Sienna's mom
October 28, 2015 at 6:31 AM
Unknown said…
My daughter is only 18 months. She has never reacted to pain or fear. This article opened my eyes to why she does alot of what she does. She is almost identical to my nephew who has this type of autism. They both have received 3rd degree burns on their hands and never even flinched. Shes seeing her doctor on Monday
April 15, 2016 at 8:15 PM
Unknown said…
My mother has told me two stories from my childhood exactly like this
November 30, 2020 at 12:55 PM
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