Some neurodivergent individuals have a variation of how sensory stimuli is experienced. Synaesthesia is a neurological condition in which stimulation of one sensory or cognitive pathway leads to automatic, involuntary experiences in a second sensory or cognitive pathway. People with synaesthesia, known as synaesthetes, might experience a blending of the senses, where one type of sensory input (like sound) triggers another sensory experience (like seeing colours).
Types of Synaesthesia: There are many forms of synaesthesia, but some of the most common include:
- Grapheme-Colour Synaesthesia: Individuals perceive letters or numbers as inherently coloured.
- Chromesthesia: Sounds, such as music or spoken words, evoke the perception of colours.
- Lexical-Gustatory Synaesthesia: Certain words or sounds trigger taste sensations.
- Spatial Sequence Synaesthesia: Numbers, dates, or sequences are perceived as occupying specific locations in space.
Involuntary and Consistent
The experiences of synaesthetes are automatic and consistent over time. For example, a person with grapheme-color synaesthesia will always see the letter “A” as red.
Not a Disorder
Synaesthesia is not considered a disorder or a medical condition. Most synaesthetes view their experiences as neutral or even positive, and it does not typically interfere with daily functioning.
Neurological Basis
Synaesthesia is believed to result from increased connectivity or cross-wiring between different sensory regions of the brain. Research suggests that synaesthetes may have more neural connections between sensory areas than non-synaesthetes.
Enhanced Memory and Creativity
Some studies suggest that synaesthetes may have enhanced memory and creativity. The additional sensory experiences can create more vivid and memorable associations. The experience of synaesthesia, for some neurodivergent individuals, can enhance artistic endeavour (Van Leewen, et al., 2019). Syaesthetes experience the world differently with greater attention to detail. More research is needed to understand the this fascinating condition where the stimulation of one sense leads to involuntary experiences in another. It highlights the complex and interconnected nature of sensory processing in the human brain.
Research and Awareness
Synaesthesia has been the subject of increasing research interest, leading to greater awareness and understanding of the condition. It provides valuable insights into how the brain processes sensory information and how different sensory modalities can interact.
Prevalence: Synaesthesia is relatively rare, currently considered as affecting approximately 4% of the population. Past research has shown it is more common in women than men and often runs in families, suggesting a genetic component. Recent research suggests that the occurrence of synaesthesia is far greater than previous studies suggesting a rate of 0.05%, affects women more than men(Simner et al., 2024). This recent study indicates an 88 times higher rate of the most common variant of grapheme-colour synaesthesia and the female bias may not be as previously exaggerated.
Perhaps we could consider synaesthesia as the cognitive and sensory responses to stimuli just as they are, differences in perception across the range of experience, rather than a condition. Atypical does not mean disordered.
If you or someone you know experiences sensory differences that are impacting your experience of the world and you need support, support, visit our website or book an appointment with Karen Merry, a qualified counsellor specialising in neurodivergent individuals.
Simner, J., Mulvenna, C., Sagiv, N., Tsakanikos, E., Witherby, S. A., Fraser, C., … & Ward, J. (2006). Synaesthesia: The prevalence of atypical cross-modal experiences. Perception, 35(8), 1024-1033.DOI: 10.1068/p5469
Van Leeuwen, T. M., Van Petersen, E., Burghoorn, F., Dingemanse, M., & Van Lier, R. (2019). Autistic traits in synaesthesia: Atypical sensory sensitivity and enhanced perception of details. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, 374(1787), 20190024.