Sensory needs and sensitivities

What are sensory needs?

A person might be under (hypo) or over (hyper)-sensitive to:

• If someone experiences over-sensitivity, they might perceive something very intense. So, a background noise that others can block out might be perceived as distressing or even painful.
• If someone experiences under-sensitivity, they might struggle to perceive the information or miss it altogether. So, they may have a high pain threshold or not be able to feel extreme temperatures.
  • Having a high pain threshold and not understanding other people’s experiences can result in behaviour that might hurt others.

What is sensory integration?

What is proprioception?

The proprioceptive sensory system is found in our muscles, tendons and joints. It helps us gain a sense of body awareness and body position in space.

Active proprioceptive input can be very calming for those who are easily overwhelmed by sensory stimulation, and those seeking additional sensory stimulation.

This could be a trampoline/trampette, dancing, running, followed by a relaxing/ slow activity (yoga, yoga/peanut ball, stretching).

Heavy work activities can help with active proprioception, click on the links for ideas:

• 50 Heavy Work Activities for Kids {Free Printable} | And Next Comes L – Hyperlexia Resources
• Heavy work and sensory processing issues: What you need to know (understood.org)

How might a child with sensory processing difficulties experience the world? Click on the video links below to find out.

• Autism TMI Virtual Reality Experience – YouTube
• Can you make it to the end? (youtube.com)

Sensory videos

Proprioception

Vestibular

Touch