Sounds like my kiddo as a preschooler. Clothing was chosen by texture, not appearance; new shoes were a nightmare. Food was bland; he could detect minuscule quantities of spice no one else could taste. Obsessed with light and lighting. Spent Disneyland with his hands over his ears. I sometimes just let shampoo dry in his hair rather than fight for a rinse, and hoped he didn't lather up in the next rainstorm. Easily carsick (though loved swings and spinning in circles).

I've always assumed he has some degree of SPD, or perhaps the high sensitivity of dabrowski's overexcitabilities. We did not pursue diagnosis because we saw no need - he's perfectly normal, this is just who he is. He doesn't like noisy classrooms but there's nothing that needs an IEP.

He's now in his mid teens. He spends his allowance and birthday money on audiophile headphones and camera lenses. He can talk endlessly about pixels and resolution and sound quality degradation due to file compression. He wore the same clothes (one brand) every day until peers decided style mattered, then allowed his brother to pick out more stylish clothing. Carries latex gloves in his backpack to avoid touching things. Is turning from picky to foodie. Seeks out peaceful environments. Is a skilled musician and photographer.

I still think he's perfectly normal. A little quirky, maybe, but who isn't?