What is sensory processing?
Sensory processing refers to how the brain receives, organises, and interprets sensory information from the environment and the body. The body can receive information from any of the 8 (yes, 8!) senses.
- Sight
- Hearing
- Touch
- Smell
- Taste
- Proprioception (knowledge of your body in space)
- Interoception (internal body signals, like hunger, or needing to go to the toilet)
- Vestibular (balance)
Common terms:
- Sensory input: Any information our body receives from our senses.
- Sensory registration: When the brain receives and acknowledges the sensory input.
- Sensory Integration: Organisation of the senses for use.
- Dyspraxia: A developmental condition which affects motor planning and execution.
Sensory Modulation Types
Everyone experiences the world differently, and everyone has neurological differences in how they perceive sensory information. There are 4 different sensory modulation types, which help to explain people’s experiences with different senses. It is important to note that any sense can vary amongst these types in the same person, for example, a person may be sensory avoiding to loud noises, but sensory seeking to touch and deep pressure.
Sensory Sensitivity
Most of the time, our bodies receive this sensory information from our bodies or the environment, and ignore it, like how we often don’t notice the feeling of our socks on our feet. For people who are hypersensitive to sensory stimuli, they will notice all this sensory input at once. Some people are also hypersensitive to one specific sense, which is commonly seen with people not liking loud noises, bright lights or specific foods.
Sensory Avoiding
‘Sensory avoiding’ is commonly seen as the behavioural response to sensory sensitivity and involves people actively avoiding sensory stimuli that they find overwhelming. This is shown when people avoid busy or loud environments or touching other people.
Sensory Seeking
‘Sensory seeking’ involves seeking more input and sensory stimulation in any of the sensory systems. This may involve having a constant need to touch people or textures, having an extremely high tolerance for pain, unable to sit still, or highly interested in movement, lights, colours and smells.
Low Registration
‘Low registration’ involves a high threshold for sensory information, meaning that it takes a lot of input for someone to notice and respond. This is shown by people not noticing sensory information and is a common factor with toileting and eating.
How occupational therapy can help
Occupational therapists work to understand our clients’ specific sensory needs and preferences, and developing interventions based on this. These interventions can involve sensory-based play, developing sensory strategies, and environmental modifications.
How our service achieves this
At Light Occupational Therapy, our therapists can support children and young adults to work towards providing individualised strategies and activities that support the sensory needs and preferences of each individual. If you feel like this is something that your child will benefit from, please contact us!
Last modified: 14/04/2025
