Overview

We all have sensory preferences – experiences and feelings we like and dislike. Autistic children may have certain sensory preferences or needs which might be more extreme or out of the ordinary.  

They may either seek or avoid these sensory experiences. 

Rather than trying to stop a child’s sensory-seeking behaviours, we try to meet the need to help them feel regulated. When a child is regulated, they are calm, content and able to engage and function. When they are not in this state, this is called dysregulation. 

For children who are avoiding sensory experiences, we try to adapt the environment to reduce the anxiety caused by these experiences, while also gradually encouraging them to expand their experiences, grow in confidence and become less sensitive to these things.  

These sensory preferences can change, sometimes throughout the day but also over the course of a life. Just because something is a challenge now does not mean it will always be. 

Understanding sensory processing

Sensory processing is how we register, interpret and respond to stimuli using our senses. 

We receive, process and integrate this information to get an understanding of: 

  • who we are 
  • where we are 
  • what is happening around us 

Some people’s bodies respond appropriately to the sensations they experience. This may look like shifting in our chair when we become uncomfortable or taking off a layer of clothing when we become too warm. 

Children who have sensory processing difficulties may find it difficult to figure out what is happening inside and outside their bodies. They may need support from those around them to learn strategies to help manage and process the information from their senses.

How senses may be processed differently

We all have eight senses. These are: 

  • touch 
  • sight 
  • sound 
  • taste 
  • smell 
  • body awareness (proprioception) 
  • balance (vestibular) 
  • internal messaging (interoception) 

These differences can have an impact on an autistic child or young person’s physical body.

Find out more about keeping a child with SEND active and eating well