Neuro-atypical sensory processing.

As a parent of a child with autism, it is important to understand how your child experiences the world around them. Sensory issues are one of the most prevalent challenges for children with autism, and knowing how to recognise and manage your child’s particular sensory preferences can make a world of difference.

While sensory issues can manifest in different ways, they all involve a child either being overly sensitive (hyper-sensitive) or under sensitive (hypo-sensitive) to their perceptions - including taste, touch, sound, smell, sight, pain, and even their body’s position in space (proprioception). Sensory sensitivities can be mild or severe. Being triggered by aversive stimuli in the environment can often lead to distress, confusion, or even emotional outbursts in children.

One of the best ways to understand your child’s sensory profile is to observe them in different environments. Are there certain sounds or smells that trigger a behavioural or emotional reaction? Does your child prefer certain textures or fabrics? Some parents might notice their child is hurt or injured before the child does, if they are hypo-sensitive to pain. A parent might, for example, notice blood or a cut on their child, when the child has not noticed it themselves. Sometimes children will have difficulty in busy shopping environments, where there is a lot of visual chaos, loud noise, hot temperatures, unusual or strong smells, and people bumping into them. Other children might be highly sensitive to the sound of a vacuum or food processor, artificial lights, or the smells of bathrooms.

In instances where your child is overwhelmed by their sensory experiences, they might appear distracted, distressed, or emotional, for no discernible reason (completely out-of-the-blue!). Or they might be obviously distressed by the sensation in observable ways - such as by covering their ears, hiding so as to avoid sensory overload, withdrawing or running away, commenting on the overwhelming strength of their experiences, complaining about it being too hot or cold (or not seeming to notice the severe hot or cold), or becoming fixated on tags and the fabric of clothing.

Taking the time to observe your child’s reactions can help you identify which sensory inputs are causing the most distress. Once you know the triggers, you can start to come up with ways to manage your child’s sensory input. This could mean reducing the amount of certain sounds or smells in the home, or providing noise-cancelling headphones or other tools to help your child block out unwanted sensory input. You can also work with your child to teach them how to self-regulate their reactions to certain stimuli.

Sensory issues can be difficult to manage, but understanding your child’s experience and finding ways to help them cope can make a huge difference in their life. Taking the time to observe your child’s reactions and creating a plan to manage their sensory input can help your child feel more comfortable and confident in their environment.