Sensory processing challenges can significantly affect everyday functioning, making routine tasks feel overwhelming and exhausting. These differences can impact individuals in various ways:

For Adults:

Struggles with time management, organization, and completing daily tasks

Challenges in relationships with family, friends, and coworkers

Frequent difficulties with driving, including accidents or near-misses

Avoidance of certain environments or responsibilities, such as grocery shopping or attending social events

Difficulty maintaining a job, calling off work often, or arriving late to commitments

Feeling constantly stressed, exhausted, or overwhelmed by daily demands

A sense of always being busy but never catching up

For Children & Teens:

Difficulty navigating friendships and social interactions

Emotional regulation challenges leading to frequent meltdowns or outbursts

Struggles with behavior at home or school

School avoidance or underperformance despite capability

If you or your child experience these challenges, sensory-focused occupational therapy can provide strategies to navigate daily life with more ease and confidence. Reach out today to learn how we can help!

Auditory processing challenges can make everyday sounds feel overwhelming, distracting, or difficult to interpret. Some individuals may be highly sensitive to sound (hypersensitive), while others may not register certain sounds as easily (hyposensitive). These differences can impact self-regulation, attention, executive function, and overall well-being.

Common Signs of Auditory Processing Differences:

Sensitivity to Sound (Hypersensitivity):

Difficulty tolerating loud environments like movie theaters, restaurants, or crowded spaces

Feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or irritable in places with multiple conversations happening at once

Covering ears or startling easily at sudden noises

Struggling to focus in noisy environments, such as classrooms or workplaces

Becoming exhausted after exposure to loud or chaotic settings

Auditory Seeking or Low Awareness of Sound (Hyposensitivity):

Speaking loudly without realizing it

Frequently making noise (humming, tapping, or talking to themselves) to create auditory input

Not noticing background sounds that others find distracting

Difficulty distinguishing between different sounds or filtering out irrelevant noise

Seeking out loud music, TV, or environments for stimulation

Difficulty Processing or Interpreting Sound:

Frequently asking "What?" or needing people to repeat themselves

Struggling to follow multi-step verbal instructions

Needing subtitles when watching TV to fully understand dialogue

Taking longer to process or respond in conversations

Misunderstanding spoken information, leading to frustration in school, work, or social situations

How Auditory Processing Impacts Daily Life

These differences can affect multiple areas of functioning, including:

Self-Regulation & Emotional Well-Being: Difficulty processing sound can lead to overstimulation, stress, and meltdowns, particularly in loud or unpredictable environments.

Executive Function & Attention: Struggling to filter out background noise can make it difficult to focus, complete tasks, or follow conversations.

Social & Work Challenges: Misinterpreting speech, struggling in group conversations, or needing to avoid noisy settings can impact relationships and participation in daily activities.

Finding Support

If you or your child experience challenges with sound sensitivity, auditory overload, or difficulty processing verbal information, sensory-based occupational therapy can help. We offer strategies to improve regulation, attention, and participation in daily life. Contact us to learn more about personalized support!

Visual processing plays a major role in how we interact with and navigate the world. Some individuals are highly sensitive to visual input, becoming overwhelmed by bright lights, busy environments, or fast-moving stimuli. Others may seek visual input as a way to self-regulate, using movement, lights, or colors to feel more grounded. Understanding these differences can help individuals manage visual processing challenges in a way that supports their well-being.

Common Signs of Visual Processing Differences:

Visual Sensitivity (Hypersensitivity):

Eyes feel tired or strained after watching animated screens, scrolling on devices, or reading for long periods

Sensitivity to bright lights, flashing lights, or high-contrast patterns (may frequently wear sunglasses, even indoors)

Feeling overwhelmed or disoriented in visually busy environments (shopping malls, classrooms, offices with fluorescent lighting)

Nausea, dizziness, or headaches triggered by rapid movement, flashing lights, or certain visual patterns

Struggles with depth perception, making activities like catching a ball or navigating crowded spaces more difficult

Visual Seeking (Hyposensitivity & Self-Regulation Strategies):

Enjoys looking at bright lights, flashing lights, or moving patterns (e.g., spinning objects, ceiling fans, lava lamps)

Finds comfort in visual stimming, such as watching water ripple, hand-flapping near the eyes, or playing with colorful lights

Enjoys high-contrast colors or busy visual environments for stimulation

May stare at lights or objects in a way that helps them focus or calm down

How Visual Processing Impacts Daily Life

For some, visual input can be a powerful tool for self-regulation and things like watching moving objects or engaging in visual stims can help them feel calm and centered. However, for others, too much visual input can lead to overwhelm, dysregulation, or fatigue, affecting:

Self-Regulation & Emotional Well-Being: Sensory overload from bright or chaotic environments can cause stress, irritability, and meltdowns.

Executive Function & Attention: Difficulty filtering out visual distractions can make it hard to focus, follow instructions, or complete tasks.

Physical Symptoms: Visual overload can contribute to dizziness, motion sickness, or headaches, making everyday activities like driving, shopping, or reading challenging.

Social & Learning Challenges: Difficulty tracking visual information can affect reading, writing, and social engagement, leading to frustration or avoidance of certain activities.

Vision & Neurodivergence: Seeing the Whole Picture

Many neurodivergent children and adults also have underlying visual acuity or developmental vision challenges that impact depth perception, tracking, or eye coordination. These conditions can contribute to sensory overload, difficulty with reading, or struggles with movement-based tasks. A skilled occupational therapist who understands the full connection between sensory processing and vision can help address these needs, offering targeted strategies and interventions to improve comfort, regulation, and participation in daily life.

How Occupational Therapy Can Help

If you or your child experience visual processing challenges, a sensory-informed OT can provide individualized strategies to:
-Reduce visual overload and manage sensitivities
-Support self-regulation through sensory-friendly environments and visual tools
-Improve focus, reading, and daily function through vision-friendly strategies
-Address developmental vision concerns that may contribute to sensory struggles

Looking for support? We’re here to help! Contact us to learn how our specialized sensory and vision-focused therapy can make daily life easier and more enjoyable.

Tactile processing is how the brain interprets touch sensations, including texture, pressure, temperature, and pain. Some individuals experience heightened sensitivity (hypersensitivity), making certain textures or physical contact feel unbearable. Others may have reduced sensitivity (hyposensitivity) and seek out more intense tactile input. These differences can significantly impact daily life, self-regulation, and social interactions.

Common Signs of Tactile Processing Differences

Tactile Sensitivity (Hypersensitivity to Touch)

Strong discomfort or distress with certain textures (e.g., clothing fabrics, tags, craft materials, sand, water, or food textures)

Intolerance to specific physical touch, such as hugs, light touches, or certain grooming tasks (e.g., brushing teeth, washing hair, cutting nails, shaving, doctor/dentist visits)

Overreacting or feeling startled when unexpectedly touched by others

Avoidance of messy play, lotions, or certain clothing materials (e.g., socks, jeans, or turtlenecks)

Low tolerance for temperature variations (too hot, too cold)

Extreme discomfort in crowded places due to accidental brushes against others

Tactile Seeking (Hyposensitivity to Touch)

Constantly touching objects, surfaces, or people (e.g., rubbing fabrics, running hands along walls, playing with fidgets, putty, or water for self-regulation)

Seeking out deep pressure (e.g., tight hugs, weighted blankets, rough play)

Frequently putting things in their mouth (chewing on clothing, pens, or fingers)

Reduced sensitivity to pain (not noticing cuts, bruises, or injuries)

Engaging in repetitive tactile stimming (e.g., rubbing soft fabrics, squeezing objects, or playing with sticky/slimy textures)

How Tactile Processing Differences Impact Daily Life

For many individuals, tactile processing differences can cause stress, frustration, or dysregulation in everyday situations, affecting:

Self-Regulation & Emotional Well-Being: Difficulty processing touch can lead to emotional outbursts, anxiety, or withdrawal from activities. Many individuals find comfort in tactile stimming (touching certain textures, fidgets, or water) as a way to self-soothe.

Social & School Challenges: Children who seek out tactile input may touch everything (or everyone!), struggle with personal space, and have difficulty following rules about keeping hands to themselves. At the same time, they may have big reactions if another child touches them unexpectedly. These mixed signals can lead to conflicts, frustration, or misinterpretations of behavior.

Executive Function & Attention: Tactile distractions (uncomfortable clothing, textures, or unwanted touches) can make it difficult to focus in school or work settings. Sensory overload from touch can also contribute to avoidance of certain activities, including social interactions.

Daily Routines & Independence: Personal care tasks like brushing teeth, washing hair, wearing shoes/socks, or dressing appropriately for the weather can become daily struggles. Sensory sensitivities may lead to avoiding certain foods or resisting necessary medical/dental care.

The Importance of Sensory-Aware Support

Because tactile processing differences can significantly affect behavior, emotions, and learning, children and adults benefit from working with a sensory-informed occupational therapist who understands the full picture of sensory integration. Many individuals with tactile sensitivities also have underlying sensory-motor or nervous system regulation challenges that can be supported through customized strategies to improve comfort, focus, and emotional regulation.

Sensory processing differences related to taste (gustatory) and smell (olfactory) can significantly impact daily life, eating habits, and social interactions. Individuals—whether children, teens, or adults—may experience heightened sensitivity (hypersensitivity) or reduced sensitivity (hyposensitivity) to tastes and smells, leading to unique challenges in their environment.

Common Signs of Gustatory & Olfactory Sensory Differences:

Picky Eating & Food Aversions: Extreme sensitivity to certain flavors, textures, temperatures, or food combinations can result in limited food preferences, gagging, or refusal to try new foods. Some individuals may prefer bland, soft, or very specific foods, while others seek out intense flavors, spicy foods, or extreme temperatures.

Avoidance of Strong Smells: Some individuals react strongly to everyday odors like perfumes, cleaning products, or certain foods, which can trigger discomfort, nausea, or even distress. This may make mealtimes, social situations, or public spaces overwhelming.

Seeking Out Smells: Others may have a strong desire to sniff objects, people, or food to gather sensory input. They may frequently smell their hands, clothing, or unfamiliar items as a way to process their environment.

Limited Awareness of Smells or Tastes: Some individuals may not notice strong odors that others find overwhelming, or they may prefer extremely bold flavors due to a reduced sensitivity to taste.

Extreme Reactions to Certain Textures or Aftertastes: Foods with mixed textures, strong aftertastes, or even specific consistencies (e.g., crunchy, slimy, mushy) may cause discomfort or distress.

Difficulty with Oral Sensory Regulation: Some individuals may chew on non-food objects (e.g., clothing, pens, or fingers) to seek oral input, while others may have difficulty tolerating toothbrushing, mouthwash, or dental visits.

How Sensory Processing Support Can Help:

Occupational therapy (OT) with a sensory integration approach can help individuals develop strategies to better manage gustatory and olfactory sensitivities. This may include desensitization techniques, sensory-friendly food exploration, environmental modifications, and self-regulation strategies to improve comfort in daily activities.

If you or your child struggle with sensory-related eating challenges, food aversions, or sensitivity to smells, our therapists can provide personalized support tailored to your needs. Reach out today to learn how we can help!

The vestibular system, located in the inner ear, plays a crucial role in balance, spatial awareness, and movement coordination. Individuals with vestibular sensory processing differences may experience challenges in regulating movement, body position, and stability, which can affect motor skills, attention, and daily activities. These differences can present as hypersensitivity (over-responsiveness) or hyposensitivity (under-responsiveness) to movement and balance-related input, leading to a wide range of behaviors.

Common Signs of Vestibular Sensory Processing Differences:

Hypersensitivity to Vestibular Input (Over-Responsive)

Some individuals may perceive movement as overwhelming or disorienting, leading to avoidance behaviors or extreme caution. Signs include:

Fear of Heights or Having Feet Off the Ground: Anxiety or distress when using playground equipment, climbing stairs, or walking on uneven surfaces.

Difficulty with Balance & Coordination: Frequent stumbling, tripping, or difficulty with activities like riding a bike, jumping, or catching a ball.

Discomfort with Head Position Changes: Avoiding activities that involve tilting the head backward, such as washing hair in the sink, going upside down, or rolling over in bed.

Car or Motion Sickness: Nausea, dizziness, or headaches triggered by car rides, escalators, amusement park rides, or even quick head movements.

Avoidance of Fast or Rotational Movement: Hesitancy to engage in activities like swinging, spinning, or running due to discomfort or fear.

Hyposensitivity to Vestibular Input (Under-Responsive or Sensory Seeking)

Other individuals may not receive enough vestibular input, leading them to seek out movement and engage in high-energy or repetitive activities to help regulate their sensory needs. Signs include:

Constant Movement or "Can’t Sit Still": Excessive fidgeting, rocking, bouncing, pacing, or shifting positions to stay engaged or focused.

Engaging in “Stimming” Behaviors: Repetitive movements such as spinning, jumping, swinging, or head shaking to self-regulate.

Poor Spatial Awareness & Clumsiness: Bumping into walls, misjudging distances, difficulty navigating crowded spaces, or struggling with activities that require precise body control.

Enjoying Being Upside Down: Preferring activities like hanging off the couch, doing handstands, flipping over bars, or laying with the head hanging off furniture.

Thrill-Seeking Behavior: Craving fast, intense movement, such as running, spinning, rough play, or risky physical activities.

Difficulty with Focus & Attention Regulation: Needing to move, sway, or rock in a chair to concentrate on tasks like reading or listening in class.

How Occupational Therapy Can Help

Vestibular processing challenges can impact everyday life, learning, and social interactions. Occupational therapy (OT) using a sensory integration approach can help individuals regulate their vestibular input through structured activities and strategies, such as:

Sensory-Based Movement Breaks: Providing controlled movement opportunities to help with self-regulation and attention.

Balance & Coordination Activities: Strengthening motor planning and stability through exercises like obstacle courses, balance beams, or therapeutic swings.

Desensitization Techniques: Gradual exposure to movement activities for those with vestibular hypersensitivity.

Environmental & Lifestyle Adjustments: Recommendations for seating options (e.g., wiggle cushions, rocking chairs) and movement breaks to improve focus and comfort.

If you or your child experience challenges related to movement, coordination, or attention, our sensory-informed occupational therapy services can help develop practical strategies for daily success. Contact us to learn more!

The proprioceptive system helps us understand where our bodies are in space, how much force to use when moving or interacting with objects, and how to regulate our bodies for comfort and focus. Everyone experiences proprioceptive input differently, and for some, seeking or avoiding certain types of pressure and movement can be a key part of self-regulation. These differences are a natural part of sensory processing and can influence how people engage in daily activities, social interactions, and emotional regulation.

How Proprioceptive Sensory Processing Differences May Show Up

In Children

Children with unique proprioceptive processing often use movement and physical input as a way to explore and regulate their bodies. Some ways this might be expressed include:

Seeking Deep Pressure or Heavy Input: Preferring tight hugs, squeezing, cuddling, or wrapping up in blankets for comfort.

Enjoying Physical Contact as a Regulation Tool: Leaning against people or objects, preferring to be close to others, or engaging in playful wrestling or roughhousing.

Engaging in Active, High-Impact Play: Jumping on furniture, running into soft surfaces, or seeking out activities like climbing, swinging, or tumbling to feel grounded.

Walking Heavily or Stomping: Moving with strong, intentional steps or enjoying the sensory feedback of deep pressure through the feet.

Enjoying Weighted Items or Compression: Finding calm and focus with weighted blankets, compression clothing, or cozy, snug spaces like bean bag chairs or blanket forts.

Using Strong Pressure with Objects: Applying firm pressure when holding pencils, squeezing playdough, gripping objects tightly, or moving with extra force when interacting with their surroundings.

Children who seek or avoid proprioceptive input are naturally tuning into their bodies' needs and may benefit from sensory-informed strategies to support comfort and regulation.

In Teens & Adults

As individuals grow, they may develop their own ways of incorporating proprioceptive input into daily life. These sensory preferences can be essential for focus, relaxation, and well-being. Some examples include:

Preferring Deep Pressure for Relaxation: Finding comfort in weighted blankets, compression clothing, firm hugs, or deep-pressure massage.

Unconscious Movement for Focus & Regulation: Bouncing legs, tapping fingers, stretching, or using fidget tools to stay engaged.

Gravitating Toward Heavy Work Activities: Enjoying activities that provide strong physical input, such as weightlifting, yoga, running, or manual tasks like gardening or construction.

Engaging in Self-Soothing Sensory Routines: Applying firm hand pressure, pressing against walls or surfaces, or seeking out strong physical feedback for relaxation.

Navigating Sensory Awareness in Different Environments: Adjusting grip strength when writing or typing, moving in ways that provide the needed input for grounding, or choosing seating arrangements that feel secure and comfortable.

How Sensory-Affirming Support Can Help

Occupational therapy (OT) can provide individualized strategies for those who want to better understand and work with their sensory needs in a way that enhances daily life. Sensory-informed approaches may include:

Incorporating Preferred Sensory Input: Identifying tools like weighted items, compression garments, or movement-based activities that support self-regulation.

Exploring Balance & Body Awareness Strategies: Introducing sensory-informed movement exercises, functional activities, and workspace adjustments that align with personal sensory preferences.

Encouraging Heavy Work & Movement Breaks: Integrating opportunities for movement and deep pressure input into daily routines to support focus, regulation, and overall well-being.

Creating Sensory-Supportive Environments: Offering guidance on seating, workspace setups, or activities that provide the right amount of proprioceptive input for comfort and engagement.

Everyone experiences and interacts with the world differently, and sensory preferences are an important and valid part of self-care. If you or your child are looking for ways to incorporate sensory-friendly strategies into daily life, we’re here to help! Reach out to learn more about our neurodiversity-affirming occupational therapy services.

The interoceptive system is responsible for detecting internal body signals such as hunger, thirst, temperature, pain, and emotional states. It helps us recognize when we need to eat, use the bathroom, rest, or regulate our emotions. For some individuals, interoceptive processing differences can make it challenging to accurately perceive and respond to these internal cues, affecting daily routines, self-care, and emotional well-being. These differences can present in many ways and may be more noticeable in childhood but continue into adolescence and adulthood.

How Interoceptive Sensory Processing Differences May Show Up

In Children

Children with interoceptive processing differences may have difficulty recognizing or responding to body signals, which can impact self-care and emotional regulation. Some common experiences include:

Uncertainty Around Hunger & Fullness: A child may forget to eat, eat past the point of fullness, or struggle with recognizing when they are truly hungry versus eating out of routine or sensory preference.

Frequent Toileting Challenges: Difficulty recognizing the sensation of a full bladder or bowels can lead to accidents, delayed potty training, or chronic constipation due to not responding to the body’s signals in time.

Inconsistent Awareness of Illness or Pain: A child might not report feeling sick until symptoms are severe, may describe discomfort in vague ways, or might not notice injuries such as cuts, bruises, or scrapes. Conversely, they may be highly aware of small changes in their body and experience discomfort more intensely than expected.

Confusing Physical & Emotional Signals: Feelings of stress, frustration, or excitement might be interpreted as physical discomfort, leading to expressions like "My tummy hurts" or "I don’t feel good" when experiencing anxiety or strong emotions.

Struggles with Temperature Regulation: Difficulty noticing when they are too hot or too cold, leading to dressing inappropriately for the weather or needing reminders to adjust clothing layers.

Challenges with Sleep & Rest Needs: Some children may not recognize when they are tired until they become overtired and dysregulated, while others may feel exhausted but struggle to describe or address their fatigue.

In Teens & Adults

Interoceptive processing differences often continue into adolescence and adulthood, influencing self-care routines, emotional awareness, and stress management. Some ways this might present include:

Difficulty Recognizing Hunger & Fullness Cues: Forgetting to eat until feeling dizzy or irritable, eating out of habit rather than need, or struggling with portioning meals appropriately.

Inconsistent Awareness of Illness & Pain: Delayed recognition of symptoms such as dehydration, muscle tension, or digestive discomfort, leading to difficulty managing health proactively.

Difficulty Identifying Emotional States: Struggling to differentiate between anxiety, hunger, exhaustion, or stress, leading to confusion around emotional regulation. Some individuals may only recognize they are upset once they reach a point of frustration or shutdown.

Temperature Sensitivity or Regulation Challenges: Dressing too warmly or too lightly for the weather, frequently feeling too hot or too cold without clear awareness of why.

Challenges with Sleep & Body Awareness: Overlooking tiredness until exhaustion sets in, difficulty recognizing the need for rest, or struggling with knowing when movement or exercise would help improve well-being.

How Sensory-Informed Occupational Therapy Can Help

Understanding interoceptive processing differences can empower individuals to develop strategies for better self-awareness, regulation, and well-being. Occupational therapy (OT) can offer support through:

Body Awareness & Self-Regulation Strategies: Helping individuals tune into their body’s cues through mindfulness activities, body scanning exercises, and sensory-friendly routines.

Practical Supports for Daily Routines: Creating individualized strategies for recognizing hunger, hydration, sleep, and bathroom needs, using reminders, visual cues, or sensory signals.

Emotional Awareness & Stress Management Techniques: Exploring how emotions feel in the body and developing personalized coping strategies to navigate stress, anxiety, and sensory overwhelm.

Temperature & Comfort Adjustments: Identifying tools like weighted blankets, breathable fabrics, or movement-based regulation strategies to support comfort throughout the day.

Interoception is an essential part of self-regulation and well-being, and everyone experiences it differently. If you or your child could benefit from support in understanding and responding to body signals, we’re here to help. Contact us to learn more about our neurodiversity-affirming occupational therapy services!