What is Sensory Processing?
Sensory Processing is the way your brain receives, interprets, and responds to information from our senses—like touch, sound, sight, taste, smell, movement, and body awareness.
What Does Difficulty in This Area Look Like?
When someone has sensory processing challenges they might:
- Be overresponsive (hypersensitive): Loud sounds, bright lights, or certain textures might feel overwhelming. Could lead to avoiding these sensations or meltdowns/tantrums when exposed to to much.
- Be under responsive (hyposensitive): They might not notice things like pain, or they may seek out intense input like spinning, crashing into things, biting or headbanging.
Trouble integrating the input quickly or smoothly, which can affect coordination, attention, or emotional regulation. This might look like covering ears to avoid sounds, refusing certain textures in food or clothing, constantly seeking movement, or having trouble sitting still. They may also have big emotional reactions to seemingly small triggers or struggle with transitions and daily routines.
How Can OT Help Build These Skills?
Occupational therapy helps children with sensory processing challenges by:
- Creating personalized sensory strategies to help kids feel calm, focused, and regulated
- Using play-based activities to help the nervous system respond more effectively to sensory input
- Setting up sensory-friendly environments at home, school, or in the clinic
- Teaching kids and caregivers how to recognize and respond to sensory needs in real time
With the right support, children can learn to better manage their sensory world, helping them feel more comfortable, confident, and ready to engage in everyday life.