Understanding Sensory Processing Difficulties
Every day, our brains receive information from our senses—what we see, hear, touch, taste, smell, and how our bodies move. Most of us automatically process this information without thinking about it. Some children, however, experience sensory information differently. They may be extremely sensitive to certain sensations, actively seek sensory experiences, or find it difficult to interpret sensory information accurately. Sensory processing difficulties can affect attention, behaviour, emotions, learning, movement, sleep, feeding, and participation in everyday activities.
What Parents May Notice
Some children may seem overly sensitive to sensory experiences:
- Covers ears during vacuum cleaners, mixers, school bells, or crowded places (Auditory Sensitivity)
- Refuses certain clothes because of tags, seams, socks, or fabric textures (Tactile Sensitivity)
- Avoids haircuts, nail trimming, tooth brushing, or face washing (Touch Sensitivity)
- Is bothered by bright lights, strong smells, or busy environments (Visual & Olfactory Sensitivity)
- Becomes overwhelmed in shopping malls, birthday parties, classrooms, or family gatherings (Sensory Over-Responsivity)
Some children constantly seek sensory input:
- Loves spinning, swinging, jumping, climbing, or crashing into furniture (Vestibular & Proprioceptive Seeking)
- Constantly touches people, objects, or surfaces (Sensory Seeking Behaviour)
- Chews on clothing, pencils, toys, or other non-food items (Oral Sensory Seeking)
- Appears constantly "on the go" and has difficulty sitting still (Movement Seeking)
- Uses excessive force during play, writing, or everyday tasks (Body Awareness Difficulties)
Some children may have difficulty processing sensory information accurately:
- Appears clumsy or frequently bumps into objects (Proprioceptive Processing Difficulties)
- Has trouble judging personal space (Body Awareness Challenges)
- Finds balance activities difficult (Vestibular Processing Difficulties)
- Struggles to coordinate movements during play and sports (Motor Planning Difficulties / Praxis Challenges)
How Occupational Therapy Can Help
Occupational Therapy helps children better understand, process, and respond to sensory information in ways that support everyday participation. Support may include:
- Identifying individual sensory preferences and challenges (Sensory Profile Assessment)
- Developing sensory regulation strategies (Self-Regulation Skills)
- Supporting attention, participation, and learning (Sensory-Based Intervention)
- Improving body awareness, coordination, and motor planning (Praxis Development)
- Helping children participate more comfortably in school, social, and community environments (Functional Participation)
- Providing practical strategies for home, school, and daily routines (Family & Environmental Support)
- Supporting emotional regulation and coping skills (Co-Regulation & Self-Regulation)
Consider Seeking Support If
- •Sensory challenges are affecting family routines, mealtimes, school participation, or sleep
- •Your child frequently avoids or seeks sensory experiences in ways that interfere with daily life
- •Everyday environments often lead to overwhelm, distress, or meltdowns
- •Movement, balance, coordination, or body awareness difficulties affect participation
- •You feel sensory challenges may be contributing to behavioural or emotional difficulties
- •Not sure if it's sensory? If your child often says, 'it's too loud', 'it hurts', 'I don't like that', constantly seeks movement, or struggles in busy environments, sensory processing may be worth exploring.