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Sensory Processing

Everyone experiences the world through their senses, but for some children this can feel overwhelming or confusing. You might notice your child reacting strongly to sounds, touch, tastes, or movement, or seeming less aware of things around them. These experiences are common, and with the right support and understanding, there are ways to help your child feel more comfortable and confident.

More about sensory processing

Sensory processing is how your brain takes in information from your senses — like sound, touch, sight, taste, smell, and movement — and makes sense of it so you can respond. For some children, this process works differently, meaning their brain may find it hard to organise or respond to this information in a usual way. This can affect how they feel, behave, and manage everyday activities.

There isn’t one single cause. Sensory processing differences can be linked to how the brain develops, and are sometimes seen alongside conditions like autism or ADHD, but they can also happen on their own. Some children may be very sensitive to certain sensations, while others may not notice them as much or may seek out strong sensory experiences.

For your child, this can feel confusing or overwhelming. Everyday things like noise, clothing, food, or busy places may feel too much, or not enough, leading to strong reactions, avoidance, or constant movement. These responses are not “naughty” behaviour — they are your child’s way of coping with how their body experiences the world.

You might want to seek help if these difficulties are getting in the way of daily life, such as eating, sleeping, learning, or joining in with others. If your child often becomes very distressed, anxious, or struggles to cope in everyday situations, support can make things easier. With the right understanding and strategies, children can learn to feel more comfortable and confident.

Questions and answers

My child is sensitive to clothing, what might help?

Observe your child’s reactions to clothing/dressing and ask yourself which element or sensory system is being over stimulated: How does the fabric feel against their skin?, Is there an elastic waistband or buttons, Look for internal fastening which may be causing irritation. Are there seams on the clothing?, Is the material heavy or light?, Is the clothing or footwear tight or loose, Do they appear to dislike pulling things over their head or face?, Are labels causing irritation? Fabrics have a wide variety or textures such as soft, rough, warm, fluffy and have noises and smells too. Cuffs and hems can feel different as the fabric will be thicker, as can fastenings with some trousers and skirts having buttons or metal hooks and eyes on the inside waistband. Consider alternatives and explore options with your child to see what they find easier to tolerate. Provide 1-2 choices for them when dressing. Include them in choosing new clothing. Firm touch pressure (as with a massage) can also be easier to tolerate to the light touch and movement on the skin of certain clothing. Consider clothing that provides this (e.g. sports base layer). Or provide massage prior to putting on their clothing to help decrease sensitivity. See the ‘Sensory videos’ in the links for more ideas and strategies.

My child is sensitive to teeth brushing, what might help?

The sensations involved in toothbrushing, such as texture of toothbrush, taste of toothpaste, or the feeling of bristles against teeth and gums can be overwhelming or even distressing for those with sensory sensitivities. Please consider that these challenges are often not about unwillingness or defiance, but rather a genuine sensory discomfort or overload. Top Tips: Trial different toothpaste flavours and find the one most tolerable for your child. Trial using apps such as Aquafresh Brush Time, Little Dentist and Magic Timer. Sensitivity to the bristles: Every individual is different so try a range of toothbrushes with soft versus more firm bristles. The size of the brush and bristles should also be considered. Battery-operated versus manual toothbrushes: For some, manual toothbrushes may be preferred as the pressure can be controlled. Electric toothbrushes offer less 'work' since it is doing a lot of the scrubbing for you and little manual pressure is required. Many electric toothbrushes shut off after an appropriate time making it easier to know how long to brush. Interests and choice: Allow your child to choose a toothbrush to boost their motivation to brush their teeth eg. Thomas the Tank Engine, Elmo, Harry Potter, My Little Pony etc See the ‘Sensory videos’ in the links for more ideas and strategies.

My child is sensitive to hair cutting/washing, what might help?

Some possible strategies that may help include: A social story may help prepare your child for having their hair cut. Choose a hair dresser that has experience in cutting hair for children who are anxious. Discuss with hair dresser whether your child can attend and watch other family members having their hair cut. Firm pressure e.g. a hand firmly on the head to stabilise, may reduce hypersensitivity to light touch of scissors, hair cuttings and the high frequency sound of snipping, both can be stress inducing. Consider how the enviroment (noises, smells, lights) can make hair cutting or washing difficult to manage. Explore options as to make the room more inviting for the child (e.g. use of dim lighting, calming background music, preferred smells). If the child has difficulty with water/shampoo going over their face or in their eyes, explore ways of this not happening e.g. using a hair washing shower hat, flannel over eyes or leaning forwards. Firm touch is often more comfortable to tolerate than light touch. Use firm rubbing motions to wash and rinse hair. Talk simply about each step in a task so that the child knows what to expect. When possible, count down towards the end of a task e.g. if you can tell that 3 more washes will be required say “Three more… 3, 2, 1 …finished!” Do not exceed the predicted number. See the ‘Sensory videos’ in the links for more ideas and strategies.

My child is sensitive to nail cutting, what might help?

Nail cutting can be stressful if a child is resistant. Some children find uninvited touch such as required when nails are cut difficult. Light touch activates nerves linked to our defensive systems. Firm touch stimulates nerves that have a discriminatory function. It can be helpful to create a calm, supportive environment and to use firm touch to prepare for nail cutting. Giving firm pressure (as with a massage) to the arms particularly at the elbow and wrist joints and firm massage to the fingers and squeezing the end of each finger gently before starting to cut the nails will help desensitise and help your child feel calm before nail cutting commences. See the ‘Sensory videos’ in the links for more ideas and strategies. A social story or picture sequence and counting down may also help your child to anticipate when nail cutting will finish. Doing one hand on two consecutive days will reduce the length of time the activity takes, and give opportunity to become more familiar with the routine. Establish a routine for clipping nails that remains consistent. After bath time nails will be soft and easier to cut. Sit comfortably, e.g. on bed or sofa, tucked around with cushions. Show a picture for hands or feet, whichever is to be trimmed, followed by a picture of an activity you know your child likes to do that is short and not too stimulating e.g. a preferred hand held toy or bed time story. Begin by trimming nails for just one hand or foot. Say “five nails” and count down as each is trimmed “five, four.. “ do not exceed the number stated at the outset. If your child is very upset, next time reduce the number of nails to be trimmed e.g. “1 nail” then 1....finished” and follow immediately with the prepared activity. Seek to cut two more nails the next day, and continue to increase the number of nails trimmed at each attempt, provided the child is comfortable with this.

My child is eating limited range of food, what might help?

If your child has any medical conditions that may impact eating (e.g. swallowing difficulties, constipation, pain or reflux) or they are not eating/drinking enough, seek medical advice first by speaking to your child’s GP or Paediatrician. Some general strategies: Recognise the positives: make a list of what your child is eating/drinking already. Although the list may not be long, if they are eating/drinking enough calories each day this is important to recognise and reduces any ‘pressure’ for your child’s diet to expand quickly. Establish a positive mealtime environment: ensure your child is sat comfortably and supported at the meal table (feet and back supported and legs tucked under the table or using any specialist seating already provided by their therapist) and that there are minimal distractions. Create a low pressure environment where food is available but there is no obligation to try foods. Link to the child’s feelings of hunger: offer foods when your child appears to be more hungry. Where appropriate, talk to the child about feelings of hunger and the association with food. Eat meals and snacks at the same time each day. By offering your child meals and snacks at the same time each day, your child will start to learn that there are regular, set times in the day when they are expected to eat. Get ready for meals in the same way each day. Eg, washing hands before dinner, laying the table, ect. Sit at the table. Make sure your child is in a comfortable sitting position at the table. Use a Food Chart: Take a ‘Slow and Steady’ approach using a food chart to record your observations and any progress over time. Involve your child in preparing the family’s meals and snacks. They can be given simple chores to do, such as buttering toast, scooping the icecream, breaking the eggs, and so on. Food play: Provide opportunities for your child to explore different textures of fruit and veg in a fun way, away from meal times. This will help your child become familiar with different foods without having to eat it. See the ‘Sensory videos’ in the links for more ideas and strategies.

My child seeks out movement, what might help?

My child is sensitive to noise, what might help?

Suggestions to cope with sensitivity to noise: Try to tell the child that a noise is going to happen, and that this is ok. The ear can adjust to noise that is anticipated much better than unexpected, sudden sounds. Visually identifying the sound source, limiting the length of time and encouraging the child to be in control of operating the sound device can often ease anxiety. Use simple phrases to say what will be making the noise. Use a social story if appropriate. If the noise is unavoidable, use picture cards to show visually and explain what is making the noise how long it will last and that it will be ok. If noisy equipment e.g. a hand dryers, Approach slowly and stand just outside the bathroom so that the child has a chance to adjust and hear the noise when it is not so loud. Or encourage them to stay at a distance but in the same room, perhaps by using a pop-up tent as a hide out, so they can still see and feel protected at the same time. It may help to for the child to have some sensory input which is soothing to help them cope with unavoidable loud noise. The use of strong proprioceptive input is effective in reducing the degree of auditory defensiveness. Encourage the child to engage in resistive/heavy work activities before the event to increase tolerance. E.g. pushing or pulling, sitting with cushions and a favourite book, a big tight hug or sucking /chewing on a favourite chewy food e.g. Dried apricots. If necessary, get your child to wear ear defenders when you know you will be going into a noisy environment where your child will get destressed, however be careful not to get too reliant on these. Ear buds (e.g. 'Loop' or 'Flare') could also be considered as these screen out a certain amount of noise and a more discrete). Comment positively if the child copes well with a noisy situation they have previously found distressing.

My child is sensitive to touch, what might help?

Firm pressure touch and 'heavy work' for muscles and joints is thought to have a regulating effect. Press hands firmly together before attempting potentially messy tasks. If hands are messy, clasping them firmly together until it is possible to wash will help. Rubbing hands firmly together while washing, pressing a hand towel firmly against the skin will also make hand washing more comfortable and reduce stress. See the ‘Sensory videos’ in the links for more ideas and strategies. Allow space around the person. Approach from the front, so you can be seen. Allow the person to sit at the end of a bench table at lunch, or stand at the end of a queue. If passing close by is going to be unavoidable due to lack of space, give advance notice by saying “ excuse me…” adding the person’s name, to remove the element of surprise.