Sensory Processing
How the brain receives, processes, and responds to sensory information. Sensory differences are a core feature of autism and common in ADHD, affecting daily life in profound ways.
Every moment, our brains receive vast amounts of sensory information: sounds, sights, textures, smells, movement, and internal body signals. Sensory processing is how the brain organises and interprets this information.
In neurodivergent people, sensory processing often works differently. The same input that's barely noticeable to others may be overwhelming or even painful - or conversely, may not register at all.
Types of sensory response
Brain registers sensory input as stronger than it is. May lead to avoidance, distress, or overwhelm.
Brain doesn't register sensory input strongly. May lead to seeking intense input or missing important signals.
Actively seeks sensory experiences for regulation. Spinning, jumping, touching, loud music.
Important: The same person can be hypersensitive in some areas and hyposensitive in others, and this can vary with stress, fatigue, and environment.
The sensory systems
Hypersensitive signs:
- •Covers ears at loud or unexpected sounds
- •Distressed by sounds others don't notice (humming lights, background noise)
- •Difficulty filtering out background noise
- •May hear sounds from far away
Hyposensitive/seeking signs:
- •Doesn't respond to name being called
- •Seeks loud music or sounds
- •May not notice important sounds
- •Talks loudly
Hypersensitive signs:
- •Sensitive to bright or fluorescent lights
- •Distracted by visual clutter
- •Notices tiny details others miss
- •Difficulty with busy patterns or movement
Hyposensitive/seeking signs:
- •Seeks visual stimulation (spinning objects, lights)
- •May stare at lights or moving things
- •Doesn't notice visual hazards
- •Needs high contrast to process
Hypersensitive signs:
- •Distressed by certain clothing textures or tags
- •Avoids messy play or certain foods
- •Dislikes being touched unexpectedly
- •Extreme reaction to haircuts, nail cutting
Hyposensitive/seeking signs:
- •Doesn't notice pain or temperature
- •Seeks deep pressure or tight clothing
- •Touches everything
- •May not notice injuries
Hypersensitive signs:
- •Motion sickness easily
- •Fearful of swings, slides, heights
- •Dislikes having feet off ground
- •Anxious about movement
Hyposensitive/seeking signs:
- •Constantly moving, spinning, rocking
- •Seeks intense movement (spinning, jumping)
- •Doesn't get dizzy
- •May seem uncoordinated
Hypersensitive signs:
- •Stiff or tense posture
- •Dislikes heavy blankets
- •Overwhelmed by physical activity
Hyposensitive/seeking signs:
- •Seeks deep pressure, crashing, jumping
- •Uses too much force (hugs, writing)
- •Clumsy, bumps into things
- •Difficulty knowing where body is in space
Hypersensitive signs:
- •Overwhelmed by internal sensations
- •Hyper-aware of heartbeat, hunger
- •Strong emotional/physical reactions
Hyposensitive/seeking signs:
- •Doesn't notice hunger, thirst, needing toilet
- •Doesn't recognise emotions building
- •May not notice illness or pain
- •Difficulty with toilet training
The sensory overload cascade
Sensory overload doesn't happen instantly. It builds up over time. Understanding this helps you intervene before meltdown.
Coping well. Sensory input is manageable.
Sensory input building up. May seem fidgety or distracted.
Warning signs: irritability, withdrawal, stimming increases.
Fight, flight, or freeze. Meltdown or shutdown may occur.
Needs calm, low-demand environment to return to baseline.
Sensory accommodations
Accommodation is more effective than trying to "desensitise" or "get used to it".
- ✓Noise-cancelling headphones
- ✓Quiet workspace
- ✓Warning before loud events
- ✓Ear defenders for assemblies
- ✓Natural lighting
- ✓Reduce visual clutter
- ✓Sunglasses indoors if needed
- ✓Plain walls, calm colours
- ✓Tagless clothing
- ✓Respect for touch preferences
- ✓Weighted blanket if helpful
- ✓Choice in food textures
- ✓Movement breaks
- ✓Fidget tools
- ✓Alternative seating (wobble cushion)
- ✓Exercise before demanding tasks
- ✓Sensory breaks built into day
- ✓Quiet space available
- ✓Reduce transitions
- ✓Predictable environment
Sensory differences are neurological, not behavioural. Your child isn't being difficult when they cover their ears or refuse certain foods - they're experiencing the world differently.
When sensory needs are accommodated, many "behaviour problems" reduce naturally because the underlying sensory overload is addressed.