Sensory Issues

What are sensory issues?

Sensory issues stem from a sensory processing disorder (SPD) which is a condition that affects how your child or teenager’s brain processes sensory information they are receiving from their senses. Whilst many children and young people may have sensory issues not all will have a sensory processing disorder.

The senses include touch, hearing, taste, smell and sight. Additionally, there are two internal senses that send your child or teenager information about their movements and where their body is in a space.

If your child or teenager has sensory issues, then they will be either hyposensitive or hypersensitive. When hyposensitive, children or teenagers need more sensory stimulation whereas hypersensitive children or teenagers avoid this and can get easily overwhelmed.

Symptoms of sensory issues

Sensory issues can affect one or multiple senses, and your child or teenager may behave in ways which can feel confusing.

If your child or teen is hypersensitive, they may:

Think clothing feels too scratchy or itchy

Think lights seem too bright or sounds too loud

Think soft touches feel too hard.

Be clumsy or have poor balance

React poorly to sudden movements, noises, or touches

Have behaviour problems

If your child or teen is hyposensitive, they may:

Not be able to sit still

Chews on things such as their hands or clothing

Struggle seeping

Seek excitement such as spinning or jumping

Do not understand personal space

Be unaware of their face being dirty or nose running.

How to deal with sensory issues

Whilst specific therapies can be useful to manage your child or teenager’s sensory issues, there are some things you can do at home to help.

If your child is hypersensitive; buy seamless socks or tag-less clothes, try noise cancelling headphones, remove any fluorescent lights you have in the house, and try keeping rooms clutter free to avoid distractions.

If your child is hyposensitive; try give them breaks for fun activities you can control, such as hopscotch, playing skipping rope or bouncing a therapy ball, you could set up a mini obstacle course together and then finish with stretches to calm and cool down.

When to get help with sensory issues

If you are worried that your child or teenager has sensory issues, and that their behaviour is impacting their everyday life then it is a good idea to seek professional help and support.

We understand seeking therapy can be daunting for both you and your child and that taking the first step can be hard. We have a team of professional and friendly child therapists who can work together with you and your child to design a bespoke and flexible treatment which works best for them. Our children’s therapy services are available for children and teenagers aged 5 to 17, at our clinics in York, Manchester and online.