How to Help Kids with Sensory Issues

ABA and Occupational Therapy Work Together at Hopebridge to Support Sensory Sensitivities

If you’ve ever watched your child cover their ears at the grocery store or cry over the feeling of certain clothing, you are not alone. These are just a few examples of what sensory issues can look like played out in real life.

At Hopebridge Autism Therapy Centers, we frequently hear from caregivers whose children experience heightened reactions to everyday sensations, as well as others whose kids seek them out in constant motion.

While everyone has their own sensory preferences, for some individuals, these reactions are so strong that they interfere with daily life—from going to school or mealtime, to an unavoidable trip to a public restroom (think loud hand dryers, intense smells, unexpected water pressure, and the stress of a toilet flushing before you’re ready).

To help families better understand these challenges and how to support their children, we spoke with Haley Hatfield, the outpatient clinical trainer and professional development advisor at Hopebridge. She shared expert insight on what sensory sensitivities can look like, how they relate to autism, and how therapies like applied behavior analysis (ABA) and occupational therapy (OT) work together to make a difference.

What Do Sensory Sensitivities Look Like?

Sensory sensitivities can appear in different ways, depending on how a child’s brain processes the sensory input around them. These reactions generally fall into two categories: hyperreactivity (a low tolerance to sensory input) and hyporeactivity (a high tolerance or craving for sensory input).

Children who experience hypersensitivity may become overwhelmed by sensory experiences that others barely notice. These kids are often considered sensory avoiders and might:

• Cover their ears in noisy environments
• Struggle with certain clothing textures
• Experience many food aversions
• Avoid playground equipment like swings or climbing structures
• Dislike brushing their teeth, getting haircuts or taking baths

Kids who experience hyposensitivity are sensory seekers who have a higher threshold and may not register input until it is significantly intense. These children may:

• Constantly move, spin, jump or run (some may know this as “stimming”)
• Vocally stim with loud or repetitive sounds like humming, singing or clicking
• Touch everything around them or explore textures with their hands
• Seek out deep pressure or active movement throughout the day

There are actually eight senses – not just the five we often think of – which include:

1. Visual (sight)
2. Auditory (hearing)
3. Olfactory (smell)
4. Gustatory (taste)
5. Tactile (touch)
6. Vestibular (balance)
7. Proprioception (body awareness)
8. Interoception (internal awareness)

“Each sense can have its own response pattern. A child might crave tactile input but avoid vestibular input like swinging or climbing. It’s not always one or the other,” said Haley.

How Does Sensory Processing Relate to Autism?

Sensory processing differences are common in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). While not every child on the spectrum will experience sensory sensitivities, they’re included within the diagnostic criteria for ASD. Research shows that between 53% and 95% of children with autism demonstrate some degree of sensory processing difficulties.

Autism criteria include two broad categories: deficits in social communication and interaction, and restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests.

Within this second category, over-responsiveness or under-responsiveness to sensory input is one of four possible characteristics clinicians consider. A child doesn’t need to display all four traits to meet an autism diagnosis, but sensory sensitivities are one of the recognized signs of autism.

However, autism isn’t the only diagnosis associated with sensory challenges. Many children experience sensory processing difficulties outside of – or in tandem with – an autism diagnosis, including those with:

• Sensory processing disorder (SPD)
• Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Anxiety disorders
• Developmental delays or learning differences

In these cases, sensory issues may affect a child’s ability to regulate emotions, focus or participate in everyday routines.

When Should Families Seek Therapy for Sensory Sensitivities?

Many people – neurodivergent and neurotypical – have their own unique sensory preferences. It’s when those differences start to interfere with daily life that it’s time to seek help.

“If your child’s sensitivities are preventing your family from going places, participating in daily tasks or are leading to emotional distress, therapy can make a significant difference,” said Haley. “We don’t ever want to force a child into situations they can’t tolerate. Instead, we help them build skills to support them and help them thrive.”

At Hopebridge, ABA and OT clinicians work closely together to support children with sensory challenges.

• Occupational therapists assess sensory needs through tools like a sensory profile. They identify specific patterns of seeking or avoiding across all eight senses.
• Board certified behavior analysts (BCBA) look at behaviors through a functional lens. If a behavior is maintained by sensory input, they collaborate with the OT to understand the sensory systems at play.
• Together, the team builds a comprehensive plan tailored to the child’s needs—whether that means modifying the environment, introducing calming tools or incorporating sensory-rich activities into therapy sessions.

“We want each child feel happy, relaxed and engaged during therapy,” said Haley. “That starts with a regulated sensory system. It’s imperative that OT and ABA are working together to ensure the sensory systems are not getting overwhelmed with input, but that they’re also getting enough input to meet their needs throughout the day.”

For example, if a child seeks tactile input, therapists may incorporate preferred fidget toys, textured materials or sensory bins into their day. If a child is sensitive to auditory input, they might use noise-reducing headphones or take breaks in quiet spaces.

Daily routines are often packed with sensory experiences such as feeding, brushing teeth, taking a bath and bedtime routines. Therapy can help families identify what might be causing sensory overload for your child and create a plan to make those activities more manageable.

Tips for Supporting Your Child’s Sensory Needs

• Seek to understand their needs.
  Listen to and observe your child to learn how their sensory-maintained behaviors affect them daily. Explore strategies to meet their needs in areas where they may be sensory-seeking, and ways you can prevent overload in other areas.
• Follow your child’s lead.
  Respect their nervous system and avoid forcing your child into overstimulating situations, which can ignite their fight-or-flight response, which could spark even more challenges like elopement, tantrums or aggression.
• Be flexible and patient.
  The sensory system is complex. Sensory thresholds can change day to day, especially as it relates to hunger, illness, fatigue and other factors.
• Create a safe sensory space.
  A cozy corner with preferred toys and tools gives your child a place to decompress when they need to eliminate a certain sensory input or meet their sensory needs.
• Plan ahead for new environments.
  When you venture out, consider what sensory input might be present, such as strong smells at a restaurant. Have a plan ready to give them breaks, if needed.
• Encourage kids to be their own advocate.
  Help your child recognize when they feel overloaded or when they are craving more input. This includes teaching them how to communicate those needs. In addition to ABA and OT, speech therapy can be especially beneficial in teaching self-advocacy.
• Understand your own sensory needs.
  Recognizing differences between your own preferences and your child’s can strengthen your connection and reduce frustration. Even if you can personally tolerate something, honor that your child has their own unique needs, preferences and experiences. For example, you crave hugs, but your child is sensitive to tactile input. Or maybe you love certain candles, but your child can’t tolerate various scents. Try to understand how those differences work together within the family dynamic.

“As a caregiver, you also need to identify your own sensory needs to help yourself stay regulated. If your child seeks auditory input, but you are easily overstimulated by noise, you might need to find your own quiet space sometimes to ensure you’re not overwhelmed with daily life,” said Haley.

Get ABA and Occupational Therapy for Sensory Issues

We work with families every day who are searching for help with sensory issues. Whether your child already has a diagnosis of ASD or SPD or you’re exploring the early signs, understanding their sensory processing challenges is key to helping them thrive.

With the combined support of ABA, occupational therapy and even speech therapy to help them voice their own concerns and cravings, your child can build the tools they need to better navigate their world—and you can feel more confident in how best to support them.

If your child is struggling with sensory sensitivities, Hopebridge’s collaborative, interdisciplinary service approach ensures your child’s needs will be understood and addressed with care. Whether you’re seeking autism testing or you are ready to start with an evaluation for occupational therapy or ABA, our team is here to help. With centers across the country, contact us today to learn more about the Hopebridge services available to your family.

 

References:

1. Jussila K, Junttila M, Kielinen M, Ebeling H, Joskitt L, Moilanen I, Mattila ML. Sensory Abnormality and Quantitative Autism Traits in Children With and Without Autism Spectrum Disorder in an Epidemiological Population. J Autism Dev Disord. 2020 Jan;50(1):180-188. doi: 10.1007/s10803-019-04237-0. PMID: 31583623; PMCID: PMC6946727.
2. Tomchek SD, Dunn W. Sensory processing in children with and without autism: a comparative study using the short sensory profile. Am J Occup Ther. 2007 Mar-Apr;61(2):190-200. doi: 10.5014/ajot.61.2.190. PMID: 17436841.
3. Chiang WC, Tseng MH, Fu CP, Chuang IC, Lu L, Shieh JY. Exploring Sensory Processing Dysfunction, Parenting Stress, and Problem Behaviors in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Am J Occup Ther. 2019 Jan/Feb;73(1):7301205130p1-7301205130p10. doi: 10.5014/ajot.2019.027607. PMID: 30839268.

*Informed consent was obtained from the participants in this article. This information should not be captured and reused without express permission from Hopebridge, LLC.