Every child experiences the world through their senses. For neurodivergent children, these feelings can be particularly intense or unique. Some children actively seek out sensory experiences, while others may find certain sensations overwhelming and try to avoid them. This variation in how children process sensory information can influence their behaviour, emotions, and interactions with others.
Knowing whether a child is a sensory seeker (under-responder) or a sensory avoider (over-responder) can help parents and caregivers create supportive environments that celebrate their children and their sensory needs, providing them with the space to explore, learn, and grow at their own pace.
Different Types of Sensory Input
Children receive sensory information about the world through a variety of inputs, like sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell. The information we gather and interpret from these senses helps us respond to and make sense of the world around us so we can understand and interact with our environment.
Recognising how your child responds to these different types of sensory input can help you tailor the tools and strategies required to support their sensory profile and needs based on their sensory preferences and challenges:
- Visual (Sight): Interpreting and responding to what we see, including light, colours, and movement.
- Auditory (Hearing): Perceiving and making sense of sounds and noise levels in our environment.
- Tactile (Touch): Experiencing and reacting to physical contact and various textures.
- Gustatory (Taste): Distinguishing and responding to different tastes and flavours in the mouth.
- Olfactory (Smell): Detecting and interpreting various scents and odours in our surroundings.
- Vestibular (Balance and Movement): Maintaining balance and spatial orientation and sensing movement.
- Proprioceptive (Body Awareness): Sensing body position, movement, and spatial relationships without visual cues.
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Interoceptive (Internal Body Cues): Responding to and recognising internal signals and sensations like hunger, thirst, and the need to use the toilet.
Children with sensory processing challenges can struggle with developing these sensory systems. They may find it challenging to filter and interpret sensory information, leading to either looking for more input or avoiding it altogether.
What is Sensory Seeking & What Does It Look Like?
Sensory seeking is a behaviour where children actively look for and crave certain sensory inputs and experiences. This might be because they need more stimulation to feel balanced or because they find certain sensations enjoyable and exciting. Sensory seekers typically engage in behaviours that provide them with the intense sensory feedback they crave.
Here are some common signs of sensory seeking:
- Movement: Some may love running, jumping, spinning, or swinging, whilst others may have difficulty sitting still and often crave activities that involve physical exertion.
- Touch: This could be feeling the need to touch objects, people, or textures. They might prefer messy play activities or crave physical touch frequently.
- Sound: This could be turning up the music volume or making loud noises themselves and enjoying environments that are bustling with sound.
- Visual Stimulation: Being drawn to bright lights, fast-moving objects, or watching things spin is a sign of visual stimulation. They may also enjoy watching videos with lots of visual effects.
- Taste and Smell: Some neurodivergent children seek out strong flavours or smells, such as preferring spicy or tangy foods.
What is Sensory Avoiding, and What Does It Look Like?
Sensory avoidance is a behaviour where children try to minimise or escape from sensory input. This often happens when sensory experiences are overwhelming or uncomfortable for them. Sensory avoiders may react strongly to certain stimuli and often try to control their environment to reduce sensory overload.
Here are some common signs of sensory avoidance:
- Movement: Resisting activities that involve movement, such as swinging or climbing. They may prefer to stay still and avoid situations that make them feel unsteady.
- Touch: Being sensitive to certain textures or fabrics, avoiding clothing tags or specific materials. They may dislike being touched or hugged unexpectedly.
- Sound: A sensory avoider might cover their ears in response to loud noises or prefer quiet environments. They may become distressed by unexpected sounds.
- Visual Stimulation: A child might avoid bright lights or busy environments. They may prefer dim lighting and find it difficult to focus in visually cluttered spaces.
- Taste and Smell: Some children can be picky eaters, avoiding foods with certain flavours or smells. This often presents by preferring bland and repetitive foods in their diet.
Can a child be a sensory seeker AND a sensory avoider?
It's quite common for children to display both sensory-seeking and sensory-avoiding behaviours, sometimes even within the same sensory domain. For example, a child might look for certain tactile experiences, like playing with sand, but avoid others, like wearing certain fabrics. This can sometimes be puzzling for parents and caregivers, but sensory preferences are highly individual and can vary based on context and environment.
Children can also be a sensory seeker in one situation and a sensory avoider in another. They might crave movement and enjoy activities like swinging or jumping, yet be sensitive to loud noises and seek quiet spaces when overwhelmed. This can fluctuate depending on their mood, stress levels, or the specific sensory input involved.
How does sensory processing impact a neurodivergent child's daily life?
Sensory processing challenges can significantly impact a neurodivergent child's daily life, influencing their behaviour, emotions, and interactions with others. Sensory seekers can be more active and energetic, which can lead to burnout, while a sensory avoider might withdraw from social situations that feel too stimulating, making friendships and social skills more challenging.
In educational settings, sensory integration can affect a child's ability to focus and learn. A child who seeks sensory input might struggle to sit still during lessons, finding it difficult to concentrate. Whereas a child who struggles with sensory overload might become distracted or anxious in a noisy classroom, impacting how they learn.
Daily activities, like dressing, eating, or participating in group events, can also present challenges. A child could refuse certain foods due to taste or texture sensitivities or struggle with specific clothing items that feel uncomfortable.
Emotional regulation is another area that can affect children's daily lives. Sensory overload or not meeting a child's needs can lead to frustration, anxiety, or even meltdowns. Being aware of these triggers means caregivers can provide the necessary support to help children manage their emotions effectively.
Strategies for Managing Sensory Needs
Managing your child’s sensory needs requires an understanding of their profile so you can create an approach tailored to their preferences and sensitivities. Supporting them this way is not only positive for their well-being but also nurtures their confidence and independence.
Foods
Create a zero-pressure food environment by exposing them to new foods and asking them to look, taste, touch, smell, or simply walk away. Even if they don't eat them, offering a variety of textures and flavours to encourage exploration and enjoyment will help them feel more comfortable around food. Introducing new foods gradually and in a relaxed setting can make a big difference for children who are more selective.
Chewing
Chewing can be a calming and grounding activity for many children. For some, the act of chewing provides necessary oral sensory input, which can help with self-regulation and focus. If your child seeks out chewing as a sensory behaviour, consider introducing chew tools as safe alternatives.
These tools come in various textures and shapes designed specifically for safe sensory exploration. Chewable jewellery, like necklaces or bracelets, is a discreet option for children to use during school or social situations so they can meet their sensory needs in a way that feels natural and comfortable to them.
Sound
Use ear defenders to help your child manage overwhelming sounds as they move around the outside world. You might also want to set up a cosy, quiet space where they can retreat when things get too noisy. Fill this with calming tools like fidgets or sensory lighting to create a soothing atmosphere that helps them feel more at ease.
For children who seek sensory input through sound, create environments and routines where they can get the auditory input they crave without disrupting those around them.
Movement
Incorporate regular opportunities for physical activity into your child’s day. To support your sensory seeker, here are 5 movement activities they can do at home or school under adult supervision:
- Bouncing on an indoor trampoline
- Walking the dog
- Pushing on door frames or walls
- Pushing, pulling, carrying or lifting heavy objects
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Dancing
If you find your child isn’t getting these opportunities during their school day, creating a routine for sensory seeking before school can help your child regulate before they start their day.
Breaks and Accommodations
Regular sensory breaks can help your child recharge and manage feelings of overwhelm. Schedule short breaks throughout the day where they can engage in calming activities, like rocking on a balance board, using fidget tools, or sitting quietly on their own. These moments of downtime can help them regain their focus and emotional balance.
When it comes to school accommodations, ask for flexible seating options like using a balance cushion for children who struggle to sit still, a designated space for them to retreat when they feel stressed or permission for movement breaks in the classroom.
Clothing
Opt for soft, breathable fabrics like cotton, which are often more comfortable against the skin. Look for clothing without tags, labels or seams that could cause discomfort. Many brands now offer sensory-friendly clothing designed specifically for children with sensory sensitivities, or you can cut out the labels from their school clothes.
Work with an Occupational Therapist
Collaborating with an occupational therapist (OT) can be really beneficial for children with sensory processing differences and their families. OTs (like us!) are specially trained to understand and support diverse sensory needs, giving you tailored strategies that embrace your child's unique neurology.
An OT can conduct a full evaluation of your child's sensory profile, helping you to identify their individual preferences and needs. They'll work with you and your child to develop personalised approaches that improve their comfort and engagement in daily activities. This might include suggestions for creating sensory-friendly spaces, introducing helpful tools, or developing self-regulation techniques.
Tools to Support Children with Sensory Needs
Our webinar on 'Becoming a Sensory Detective' will help you understand your child’s sensory profile and the different types of sensory stimuli they seek or avoid. Gaining insight into your child's sensory preferences is fundamental for tailoring your approach and making sure they feel comfortable and supported.
If you’re aware of their needs and looking for tools to support them, we have a variety of products designed specifically for children. From sensory tools that promote exploration and engagement to calming tools that help manage overwhelming situations, our products are designed with your child in mind!