Sensory processing is something we all do, every day, without even thinking about it. Our brain takes in information from our senses, sorts it out, and helps us respond appropriately. For most people, this process runs smoothly — but for some, especially children with disabilities including Autism, sensory processing can feel overwhelming or confusing. Let’s break it down.
What is Sensory Processing?
Imagine your brain is like a busy airport. Planes (sensory information) are constantly arriving and departing. Air traffic control (your brain) directs each plane to the right runway, keeping everything organised. For people with sensory processing challenges, air traffic control might be understaffed or overwhelmed, causing delays, mix-ups, or overreactions. In simpler terms: sensory processing is how our brain receives, organises, and responds to sensory input from the world around us.
What Might It Feel Like?
For kids with sensory processing differences, it can feel like:- A traffic jam of information in the brain, making it hard to process things quickly.
- Being bombarded by information.
- Craving intense sensory experiences like spinning or squeezing.
- Being completely unaware of sensations others easily notice.
- Sensorimotor challenges such as clumsiness or delayed motor skills.
The Eight Senses
Most of us know the five basic senses — but did you know we actually have eight? Let’s meet them:
- Sight (Vision): What we see — colours, light, movement, and patterns. Some kids might find bright lights or busy environments overwhelming.
- Hearing (Auditory): What we hear — sounds, music, voices, and background noise. A loud classroom or unexpected noise might feel intense.
- Smell (Olfactory): Scents and odours. Strong smells like perfumes or cooking can be pleasant for some but overpowering for others.
- Taste (Gustatory): Flavours and textures of food. Some kids might prefer bland foods, while others seek out bold flavours.
- Touch (Tactile): Information from our skin — temperature, textures, pressure, or pain. Tags on clothing, sand, grass, or sticky hands can feel unbearable.
- Balance (Vestibular): Sense of balance and movement. Swinging, spinning, or sudden movements can be either regulating or heightening.
- Body Awareness (Proprioception): Knowing where your body is in space. This sense helps with things like walking through a crowded room without bumping into others.
- Internal Awareness (Interoception): Understanding internal body signals, organs and sensations, and connecting them to feelings — like anger, hunger, thirst, or the need to use the bathroom.
Why Does This Matter?
For kids with sensory processing differences, everyday activities can feel overwhelming or confusing. Imagine trying to focus in a classroom while the lights are bright, your chair feels wobbly, your tags are itchy, the other kids are chatting loudly and the teacher is yelling. It’s like having too many tabs open on your computer — things start to slow down, or crash altogether. This is when we might see the kids start to lose control, have meltdowns or have big emotions. Understanding these senses can help parents, carers, teachers and support workers create supportive environments. Small changes including education can often make a big difference. Occupational Therapists (OTs) can play a key role in supporting children with sensory processing challenges. They work closely with families to develop strategies tailored to each child’s unique sensory profile, helping to build coping skills and improve daily life.
Summary
Every child experiences the world in their own unique way. Learning about sensory processing is the first step to understanding and supporting your child. Whether they’re seeking out sensations or avoiding them, your patience and willingness to learn will go a long way!