Story At-a-Glance
- Sensory processing affects how the brain interprets everyday experiences – Children with sensory processing issues may be over-responsive, under-responsive, or seeking more sensory input than typical, making ordinary situations feel overwhelming or insufficient.
- It’s not about being “picky” or “difficult” – When your child melts down over clothing tags, avoids certain textures, or seems to crave intense movement, their nervous system is genuinely processing sensory information differently than others.
- Multiple senses can be affected – Beyond the five basic senses, issues can involve body awareness (proprioception) and balance/movement (vestibular), affecting everything from coordination to emotional regulation.
- Understanding leads to solutions – Recognizing your child’s unique sensory profile helps you modify environments, choose appropriate activities, and provide tools that support their nervous system rather than fighting against it.
If you’ve ever wondered why your child has epic meltdowns over the “wrong” socks, refuses to eat anything but three specific foods, or seems to seek out activities that would make most people dizzy, you might be looking at sensory processing differences. These aren’t character flaws or behavioral choices – they’re real neurological differences in how your child’s brain receives, interprets, and responds to sensory information from the world around them.
Every moment of every day, our nervous systems are constantly processing an incredible amount of sensory information. The feeling of our clothes against our skin, the sounds around us, the brightness of lights, the way our body moves through space – most of us filter and organize this information automatically without conscious thought. But for children with sensory processing issues, this automatic filtering system works differently, making the world feel either overwhelming, underwhelming, or confusing.
Understanding your child’s unique sensory profile can transform daily struggles into manageable challenges and help you see their behaviors through a completely different lens.
Understanding the Sensory System: More Than Five Senses
When most people think about senses, they think about the classic five: sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell. But our sensory system actually includes seven senses, and the two “hidden” senses are often the most problematic for children with sensory processing issues.
Proprioception is your body’s sense of where it is in space and how much force you’re using. It’s what allows you to touch your nose with your eyes closed or know how hard to press when writing with a pencil. Children with proprioceptive challenges might seem clumsy, press too hard or too lightly, or seek out activities that provide strong sensory feedback to their muscles and joints.
The vestibular sense relates to balance, movement, and spatial orientation. It’s processed in your inner ear and tells you whether you’re moving or still, which way is up, and how fast you’re going. Children with vestibular processing differences might be afraid of playground equipment, constantly seek spinning or swinging activities, or have trouble with activities that require good balance.
The Three Main Types of Sensory Processing Issues
Sensory Over-Responsivity (Hypersensitivity)
These are the children who seem to feel everything more intensely than others. They might be the ones who complain that their socks feel “weird,” refuse to wear certain fabrics, or become overwhelmed in noisy environments like restaurants or birthday parties.
You might notice your child covering their ears in moderately loud environments, refusing to walk barefoot on grass or sand, or having strong reactions to smells that others barely notice. They might be extremely picky eaters, not because they’re being difficult, but because certain textures, temperatures, or flavors genuinely feel overwhelming or even painful to their nervous system.
These children often appear anxious or controlling because they’re trying to manage an environment that feels unpredictable and potentially overwhelming. They might insist on the same clothes, foods, or routines because these represent safety and predictability in a world that often feels too intense.
Sensory Under-Responsivity (Hyposensitivity)
On the flip side, some children don’t seem to notice sensory input that would typically get anyone’s attention. They might not respond when you call their name, seem oblivious to pain or temperature changes, or appear unaware of messes on their face or hands.
These children might not notice when they’re injured, seem to have an unusually high pain tolerance, or fail to respond to typical sensory cues that signal danger or the need for attention. They might seem “spacey” or disconnected, not because they’re not paying attention, but because their nervous system isn’t registering the sensory information that typically helps us stay alert and engaged with our environment.
Sensory Seeking
Some children actively crave intense sensory experiences. They might be the ones jumping off furniture, spinning until they’re dizzy, touching everything they see, or making loud noises. These children aren’t trying to be disruptive – their nervous system needs more intense sensory input to feel regulated and alert.
Sensory seeking children might chew on non-food items, love rough play, constantly fidget or move, or seem to have boundless energy. They might seek out strong flavors, enjoy tight hugs, or gravitate toward activities that provide intense sensory feedback like trampolines or swings.
How Sensory Processing Issues Show Up in Daily Life
Morning Routines: The Daily Battle
For many families, mornings become battlegrounds when sensory processing issues are involved. Getting dressed can take forever when every piece of clothing feels “wrong.” Socks might be too tight, too loose, or have seams that feel scratchy. Shirts might feel too clingy or too loose. Hair brushing might feel like torture if your child is sensitive to light touch on their scalp.
Breakfast can be equally challenging if your child has strong reactions to certain textures, smells, or temperatures. The child who gags at the sight of scrambled eggs or refuses anything but dry cereal isn’t being picky – their sensory system is genuinely rejecting these experiences.
School Environment Challenges
The typical classroom environment can be sensory overload for many children. Fluorescent lights might feel too bright, background noise might be distracting, and the texture of school supplies might be unpleasant. Some children struggle with sitting still in hard chairs, while others might be distracted by the feeling of their clothes or the sounds of other children moving around.
Recess and lunch can present their own challenges. The playground might feel too chaotic and overwhelming, or conversely, a sensory-seeking child might take risks that worry teachers and peers. Cafeteria noise and smells might be overwhelming, making it difficult to eat or socialize during lunch.
Social Situations and Sensory Overload
Birthday parties, family gatherings, and other social events can be particularly challenging for children with sensory processing issues. These environments often combine multiple sensory challenges – loud music, crowded spaces, strong smells from food, and unexpected touches from other children.
You might notice your child becomes overwhelmed or has meltdowns during or after these events, not because they don’t want to participate, but because their nervous system becomes overloaded. They might need significant downtime after social events to recover and regulate.
The Emotional Impact of Sensory Challenges
Children with sensory processing issues often develop secondary emotional responses to their sensory experiences. They might become anxious about new situations because they’ve learned that unexpected sensory experiences can be overwhelming or uncomfortable. They might appear defiant or oppositional when they’re actually trying to avoid sensory experiences that feel genuinely unpleasant or even painful.
Many children with sensory processing issues are misunderstood by adults who don’t recognize the neurological basis of their behaviors. They might be labeled as “difficult,” “picky,” or “attention-seeking” when they’re actually responding to genuine sensory discomfort or needs.
Over time, these misunderstandings can impact a child’s self-esteem and emotional well-being. They might start to see themselves as “bad” or “different” in negative ways, especially if their sensory needs are consistently dismissed or criticized.
Sensory Processing and Other Conditions
Sensory processing issues don’t exist in isolation – they’re often seen alongside other developmental differences like autism, ADHD, anxiety disorders, and learning disabilities. However, sensory processing issues can also occur on their own in children who are otherwise typically developing.
Understanding the relationship between sensory processing and other conditions can be helpful in developing comprehensive support strategies. For example, a child with ADHD might have difficulty concentrating partly because their sensory system is either overwhelmed by or under-registering environmental stimuli.
Creating Sensory-Friendly Environments
Understanding your child’s sensory profile allows you to modify environments to support their nervous system. For an over-responsive child, this might mean creating calm, predictable spaces with minimal sensory input – soft lighting, quiet backgrounds, and comfortable textures.
For an under-responsive child, you might need to add more sensory input to help them stay alert and engaged – textured materials, background music, or opportunities for movement throughout the day.
Sensory-seeking children often benefit from having appropriate outlets for their sensory needs – designated times and places where they can engage in intense sensory activities safely and appropriately.
Practical Strategies for Daily Success
Clothing and Personal Care
For children with tactile sensitivities, finding comfortable clothing can make an enormous difference in daily functioning. This might mean removing tags, choosing specific fabrics, or allowing your child to wear the same comfortable outfit repeatedly. Some children benefit from compression clothing that provides calming pressure, while others need loose, non-restrictive clothing.
Personal care routines can be modified to accommodate sensory needs. Using different textures of washcloths, adjusting water temperature, or providing warning before transitions can help make these necessary activities more tolerable.
Nutrition and Eating
For children with oral sensory issues, expanding their diet often requires a gradual, systematic approach that respects their sensory system while slowly introducing new experiences. This might involve starting with preferred textures and gradually introducing variations, or finding ways to present new foods that feel safe and manageable.
Sometimes nutritional needs can be met through preferred foods while continuing to work on expanding variety. The goal is ensuring adequate nutrition while reducing mealtime stress and power struggles.
Sleep and Rest
Many children with sensory processing issues have sleep challenges related to their sensory needs. Some need complete darkness and silence, while others need background noise or specific textures to feel calm and secure. Understanding your child’s sensory needs for sleep can dramatically improve rest for the whole family.
Tools and Equipment That Can Help
There are many tools and pieces of equipment that can support children with sensory processing needs. Weighted blankets or lap pads can provide calming pressure for some children. Fidget tools can help children who need tactile input stay focused. Noise-canceling headphones can help in overwhelming auditory environments.
The key is finding tools that match your child’s specific sensory profile and needs. What works for one child might not work for another, even if they have similar sensory challenges.
When to Seek Professional Help
If sensory issues are significantly impacting your child’s daily functioning, social relationships, or family life, it might be helpful to seek evaluation from an occupational therapist who specializes in sensory processing. These professionals can help identify specific sensory patterns and develop targeted intervention strategies.
Occupational therapy for sensory processing often focuses on helping children’s nervous systems become more organized and flexible in responding to sensory input. This might involve specific activities, environmental modifications, and strategies for supporting regulation throughout the day.
The Strength-Based Perspective
While sensory processing differences can create challenges, they can also be sources of strength and unique abilities. Children who are sensory-seeking might become excellent athletes or performers. Those who are highly sensitive to sensory input might become talented artists, musicians, or designers who notice subtleties that others miss.
Many children with sensory processing differences develop remarkable self-awareness and advocacy skills as they learn to understand and communicate their sensory needs. They often become empathetic to others’ differences and develop creative problem-solving abilities.
Building Understanding and Acceptance
One of the most important things you can do for your child is to validate their sensory experiences and help them understand that their responses are real and legitimate. Teaching your child about their sensory system and helping them develop language to communicate their needs can be incredibly empowering.
It’s also important to educate family members, teachers, and other important people in your child’s life about sensory processing differences. When the adults around your child understand that sensory behaviors aren’t choices but neurological responses, they can provide much more effective support.
Moving Forward with Confidence
Understanding your child’s sensory processing differences doesn’t mean accepting limitations – it means working with their nervous system rather than against it. With appropriate understanding, support, and sometimes professional intervention, children with sensory processing issues can learn to navigate their world more successfully.
Your child’s sensory experiences are real, valid, and deserving of respect and accommodation. By understanding their unique sensory profile, you can help them develop strategies for managing challenging situations while honoring their sensory needs.
The world doesn’t have to be overwhelming for your child. With understanding, support, and appropriate accommodations, they can learn to thrive while being true to their unique sensory system. Your advocacy and understanding are powerful tools in helping them build confidence and develop skills for navigating their sensory world successfully.
Sources
- Miller, L. J. (2014). Sensational Kids: Hope and Help for Children with Sensory Processing Disorder. TarcherPerigee.
- Kranowitz, C. S. (2022). The Out-of-Sync Child: Recognizing and Coping with Sensory Processing Differences (3rd ed.). TarcherPerigee.
- American Occupational Therapy Association. (2023). “Sensory Integration and Sensory Processing Disorders.” Retrieved from https://www.aota.org/about/consumers/sensory-integration
- Dunn, W. (2014). Sensory Profile 2: User’s Manual. Pearson Clinical Assessment.
- Ben-Sasson, A., Carter, A. S., & Briggs-Gowan, M. J. (2009). Sensory over-responsivity in elementary school: Prevalence and social-emotional correlates. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 37(5), 705-716.
Note: This blog post is intended for educational purposes only. While the information presented is based on scientific research, individual situations vary. Please consult with qualified professionals for proper assessment and individualized recommendations.
