You may have noticed that your neurodivergent child seems to crave certain sensations or experiences more than others. Perhaps they love spinning in circles, jumping from heights, or touching everything in sight. If this sounds familiar, your child might be a sensory seeker.
What is a sensory seeker?
A sensory seeker is someone who actively looks for and craves sensory experiences. These children often have a higher threshold for sensory input, meaning they need more intense or frequent sensations to feel satisfied and regulated.
Sensory seeking is simply one way that children interact with and experience their environment. It's a common and natural behaviour that is part of sensory processing, which is how our brains receive, organise, and respond to sensory information from our environment and bodies. For sensory seekers, their nervous system might be telling them that they need more sensory input to feel "just right."
What does sensory seeking behaviour look like?
Sensory-seeking behaviour can manifest in various ways, and they may display a combination of these behaviours depending on your child and the type of sensory stimulus they're craving. The key is observing your child's preferences and patterns to understand their sensory needs better.
Movement-Related Behaviours
- Spinning or twirling frequently
- Jumping on furniture or trampolines
- Rocking back and forth
- Seeking out "rough and tumble" play
Proprioceptive Behaviours
- Touching objects, textures, or people frequently
- Rubbing against walls or furniture
- Preference for certain clothing textures
Visual Behaviours
- Staring at spinning objects or lights
- Seeking out bright colours or patterns
- Enjoying visual stimulation from screens or moving objects
Auditory Behaviours
- Making loud noises or vocalisations
- Listening to music or the TV at full volume
- Seeking out places with lots of background noise
Oral-Motor Behaviours
- Chewing on non-food items (like shirt collars or pencils)
- Licking objects
- Preferring strong flavours or spicy foods
Olfactory Behaviours
- Smelling objects or people frequently
- Seeking out strong scents
What are some examples of sensory seeking activities?
Supporting your sensory seeker involves providing appropriate opportunities for input for their sensory system:
Movement (Vestibular) Activities
- Swinging on playground swings
- Using a sit-and-spin toy
- Bouncing on a therapy ball
- Doing cartwheels or somersaults
- Riding a bike or scooter
Touch (Tactile) Activities
- Playing with tools that have different textures
- Finger painting
- Creating a sensory bin with rice, beans, or water beads
- Giving and receiving massages
Proprioception (Body Awareness) Activities
- Doing wall push-ups
- Carrying heavy objects
- Playing tug-of-war
- Crawling through tunnels
Visual Activities
- Playing with light-up toys or starlight projectors
- Watching sensory water tubes
- Creating colourful art projects
- Playing visual search games
- Using kaleidoscope sensory lamps
Auditory Activities
- Playing musical instruments
- Creating sound bottles with different materials
- Using white noise machines
- Playing sound-based memory games
Oral-Motor Activities
- Blowing bubbles
- Using straws to blow pom-poms across a table
- Chewing on safe, specially designed oral chews
- Eating crunchy or chewy snacks
Tips for Supporting Your Child’s Sensory Seeking
Supporting your sensory-seeking child requires you to understand their needs and create opportunities for sensory exploration. Here are some practical tips you can try to incorporate sensory-seeking activities into your child's daily routine:
Create a Sensory-Friendly Environment
Designate specific areas in your home where sensory activities can take place. For example, set up a sensory corner with soft pillows and blankets, sensory lighting and calming tools, or create a play space with various textures like fuzzy blankets, sand, and neon noodles. This can give your child the opportunity to engage in sensory exploration in a safe and controlled way.
Movement Breaks
Integrate movement, brain and sensory breaks into your child's daily schedule. You could have them do jumping jacks, rock on a balance board, or dance to their favourite song. These breaks help them release excess energy and improve focus when they go back to quieter activities.
Sensory Tools
Introducing sensory tools, like balance cushions, that your child can use at home or school can help them self-regulate and provide them with the sensory stimulation that they need.
If they crave a lot of oral stimulation, introduce chews that provide safe chewing options, like chewelry, to help your child meet their sensory needs.
Outdoor Activities
Encourage outdoor play that promotes sensory exploration, like climbing on playground equipment, jumping on a trampoline, or digging in the sand, to provide rich sensory experiences. Nature walks can also be a great way for your child to explore different textures, sounds, and smells in their environment.
Creative Play
Incorporate sensory-rich creative activities like finger painting or playing with therapy putty into your child’s routine to provide tactile input while also allowing for self-expression. You can also encourage them to create art using various materials, such as sandpaper, fabric, or feathers.
Routines
Develop a consistent daily routine that includes time for sensory activities. This predictability can help your child feel more secure and understand when they can expect sensory input. For example, you might have a designated time for sensory seeking before school and time to help your child regulate after school.
Support Your Sensory Seeker with Everyday OT
As occupational therapists and parents of neurodiverse children, our team is dedicated to providing you with the knowledge, tools, and support you need to help your neurodivergent child thrive.
At Everyday OT, we believe in empowering parents and caregivers with practical, evidence-based techniques that can be easily incorporated into your daily routines. We offer a range of resources to support you on your journey with your sensory seeker. Our webinars and products, from sensory tools to educational materials, are designed to help meet sensory needs. Connect with us on TikTok and Instagram, where we share tips, strategies, and a supportive community for parents and caregivers of neurodiverse children.