Important: This post is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. You should always consult your physician before making any medical decisions for your child.
Do you feel like your child sometimes has irrational responses to normal events? Maybe they can’t handle wearing certain clothes, or they have trouble in noisy environments. Sensitivities like this can lead to behaviors that feel frustrating or confusing to address as a parent.
If you’ve ever wondered how to know if your child has sensory issues, or asked yourself, “Is this more than just a phase?” you’re not alone. Sensory issues in kids are more common than you might think.
What is overstimulation, and how can understanding it better support your child? In this article, you’ll discover the signs of sensory issues in kids and pediatrician-approved strategies to support children with sensory sensitivities.
Understanding sensory processing issues
Sensory processing issues start in the brain. Simply put, your child may have trouble processing or responding to information that comes from their senses.
On top of the five senses that come to mind first (sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch), a few additional senses can be affected by sensory processing issues:
- Vestibular (sense of balance and movement): If your child avoids swinging, gets dizzy easily, or seems clumsier than peers, their vestibular system might be hypersensitive. On the flip side, if they constantly seek out spinning, jumping, or hanging upside down, their vestibular system could be hyposensitive. (More on the differences between hyper- and hyposensitive below.)
- Proprioception (awareness of where your body is in space): If your child often bumps into things, drops things, or uses too much force, they may struggle with proprioception. Children who need more input to understand where their body is in space may engage in rough play, or press too hard when writing. Children who are hypersensitive in this way may avoid rough play and seem overly cautious.
- Interoception (internal body awareness): If your child struggles to notice when they’re hungry, thirsty, or need to go to the bathroom, they may have interoception issues. On the other hand, some children may be overly aware of internal sensations and react more strongly to things like slight hunger, minor pain, or shifts in emotions.
A few more behaviors sometimes associated with sensory processing issues in kids:
- Difficulty with fine motor skills or excessive clumsiness
- Covering their ears when they hear the vacuum cleaner in another room
- Feeling uncomfortable in certain clothes and scratching their skin
- Becoming overwhelmed or anxious in brightly lit spaces
- Frequent “tantrums” and public meltdowns
What is Sensory Processing Disorder?
Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) affects around 5% of younger children. SPD is a term used by parents and some professionals to describe sensory challenges like those mentioned above.
However, it isn’t officially recognized as a unique disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) that mental health professionals use, so the use of Sensory Processing Disorder as a diagnosis is controversial.
Sensory processing difficulties are acknowledged as part of conditions like Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). But many specialists still use the term to describe sensory challenges, especially in children.
To a child with sensory processing issues, it may feel like their senses are either overly heightened, or dimmed to the point of discomfort.
Signs of sensory issues in kids
Hypersensitivity: the “high sensory” child
If your child is hypersensitive, their nervous system reacts strongly to sensory input. What may seem like normal sounds, textures, or lights to others can feel overwhelming or even painful to them. Your child may avoid busy environments, or they might refuse to wear certain clothes because they’re too scratchy, tight, or uncomfortable.
Hypersensitivity can be confusing to understand at first. For example, have you ever been in a store when your child suddenly has a meltdown? It might seem like it came out of nowhere, but for a hypersensitive child, something like bright lights, a loudspeaker, or wet clothes could be enough to trigger that response. On the outside, it may seem like “acting out,” but the behavior could stem from an overloaded nervous system.
Hyposensitivity: seeking sensory input
If your child is hyposensitive, their nervous system doesn’t respond as strongly to sensory input, so they may crave more intense sensations. They may do things that seem reckless or overly active, like constantly jumping, crashing into things, or playing more roughly than other kids.
Hyposensitive children sometimes seem to have a higher tolerance for pain. Maybe they fall or bump into things, but don’t cry the way you’d expect. They might seek out intense physical activities, like roughhousing or climbing. These children may seem “extra energetic” or “rough,” but that behavior comes from a need for more sensory input.
When is it a tantrum and when is it something more?
If you’re like most parents, you may have wondered if your child’s tantrums are “normal.” If these outbursts are more frequent or intense than you feel they should be, or they seem to start without real cause, it may be worth discussing with a professional.
It helps to understand your child’s triggers. If you can identify what leads to a tantrum or meltdown, you can start to pinpoint whether sensory issues are the root cause.
If you’re curious about what those triggers might be and whether your child has difficulties processing their senses, here’s a brief checklist you can reference to help you determine whether you might need to seek professional support:
Sensitivity to bright or flashing lights
Difficulty identifying objects in cluttered spaces
Strong reactions to loud or sudden noises
Sudden anxiety in noisy spaces
Discomfort with certain clothing materials
Struggling with tasks that require fine motor skills, like fastening buttons
Feeling dizzy during physical activity
Adverse reactions to everyday smells
Could it be autism, or something else?
The discussion around sensory issues in kids leads some parents to wonder about autism. It’s a common misconception that any child with sensory issues must have autism. But it’s true that many kids with autism do experience sensory issues. In fact, 69-95% of children with autism report sensory processing issues.
While it’s impossible to diagnose autism and other developmental differences without proper screening, here are some other issues commonly associated with sensory issues in kids:
- ADHD
- OCD
- Developmental delays
Remember, your child can experience sensory issues without any of the above conditions. Just like their fingerprints and personality traits, your child’s sensory experiences are 100% unique to them.
Supporting your child with sensory issues
Raising a child with sensory issues can be challenging. Your child’s nervous system can disrupt yours. Maybe you start to feel your patience wear thin, or like you’re “on edge” around your kids—worried how they’ll react to different situations throughout the day.
It’s completely normal to feel frustrated from time to time. The last thing you should do is shame yourself for experiencing your own version of nervous system discomfort in response to your child’s behavior.
One of the best ways you can support a child with sensory issues is through empathy. Try to understand that the way they act isn’t always fully within their control. It can be helpful to imagine what they might be feeling. Recognize that while walking through a store may be a very typical experience for you, it could overwhelm them in ways that are harder to see.
Here’s a quick home exercise to help you gain perspective:
- Put on a scratchy scarf or uncomfortable item of clothing.
- Grab some headphones and play music you don’t like.
- Then, pick up the nearest book and try to read it for five minutes.
Afterward, answer the following questions:
- Did you have a hard time focusing on what you were reading?
- At any point, were you tempted to remove the scarf or headphones?
- How would you feel if you couldn’t pause those negative sensations?
If you made it through this exercise, you’ll likely have some new insight into what it might feel like for your child to deal with sensory issues. It’s worth exploring new ways to find compassion for your little one in these stressful experiences (and for yourself too!).
When to seek professional help for sensory issues
As a parent, you know your child best. However, if you notice they’re having a hard time with ongoing sensory-related challenges, it might be time to reach out to a professional.
You may consider seeking a consultation with a medical professional if:
- Your child’s routines are often disrupted by sensory sensitivities
- Sensory issues negatively impact your child’s ability to learn or socialize
- Tantrums and meltdowns are a frequent occurrence in your child’s daily life
If you suspect your child’s sensory issues will continue, early intervention is key. Sensory issues in childhood can lead to anxiety and other issues in adulthood if left unaddressed.
Furthermore, leaving conditions like autism undiagnosed can cause children to suffer more than necessary as they grow up. By getting to the root of your child’s sensory issues, you can help them develop supportive coping skills and tools for navigating triggering situations.
Can we help your child navigate sensory issues?
It’s normal to feel overwhelmed by the uncertainty around your child’s sensory issues. But one thing is certain: you’re doing a great job! By seeking supportive resources and education, you’re putting yourself in an even better position to be your child’s best advocate.
Imagine being able to reach out directly and ask about sensory issues in kids, or other questions on your child’s health and development. If you’re looking for a higher level of clarity and professional support from pediatricians who care, you’re in the right place. At Elliston Pediatrics, we offer home visits and around-the-clock access to your child’s pediatrician.
Join our membership today for the relief of having a top pediatrician just a text away. We’re here to listen, address your concerns, and give your family the best pediatric care in NYC.
