We all use eight sensory systems to understand the world around us and what is happening inside our bodies. For some children, these systems work a little differently.

Your child might:

  • Be extra sensitive to certain sensations (over-responsive)

  • Not notice sensations as easily (under-responsive)

  • Find it hard to understand or make sense of what they are feeling

These differences can affect behaviour, emotions, movement, learning, and everyday activities. It’s important to remember that sensory needs are real, even when they look inconsistent.

For example, your child might struggle in a noisy school assembly but cope well in a loud sports hall. That doesn’t mean they “can’t handle noise.” In assembly they may have to sit still, stay close to others, and not leave. In sports, they can move, take breaks, and do something they enjoy. Movement and enjoyment can help regulate their body.

If you’re unsure about your child’s sensory needs, it’s always helpful to speak with an occupational therapist trained in sensory integration.

Below is a simple guide to what sensory differences might look like — along with examples of helpful supports.

The 8 Sensory Systems

👀 Visual (Sight)

Your child may:

  • Be overwhelmed by bright lights or busy spaces
  • Notice visual information others miss
  • Be distracted by irrelevant visual information (unable to filter)
  • Needing more time and visual clues to register the information
  • Seek flashing lights or watching objects spin
  • Struggle to pick out objects from a busy background

Helpful ideas:

  • Reduce visual clutter where possible
  • Use calm lighting
  • Offer a quiet, low-stimulus space

Some families find items such as dark dens, pop-up tents, or Sensory Room spaces helpful for creating a low-arousal space at home.

 

👂 Auditory (Sound)

Your child may:

  • Be distressed or over stimulated by loud environments
  • Hear background noises others don’t notice
  • Need their name called several times
  • Make repetitive sounds
  • Struggle to tell where a sound is coming from
  • Become distracted by irrelevant background noises (unable to filter)

Helpful ideas:

  • Provide ear defenders in noisy places
  • Give clear, simple instructions
  • Allow quiet breaks

Noise-reducing Ear Defenders and Ear Plugs can sometimes help children manage overwhelming environments.

👃 Olfactory (Smell)

Your child may:

  • Be very sensitive to certain smells
  • Notice smells others don’t
  • Seek out strong scents (smelling people or objects)
  • Struggle to identify or interpret smells or the intensity of the smell

Helpful ideas:

  • Be mindful of strong perfumes or cleaning products
  • Offer preferred scents if calming
  • Allow space away from overwhelming smells

👅 Oral Sensory (Taste & Mouth Feel)

Your child may:

  • Eat a limited range of foods
  • Prefer specific textures or temperatures
  • Avoid mixed textures or certain flavour combinations
  • Struggle to identify foods based on the way they taste or feel in their mouth
  • Store food in their cheeks

Helpful ideas:

  • Introduce new foods slowly
  • Respect sensory preferences
  • Offer crunchy or chewy snacks if your child seeks oral input

Oral Chews with different textures and chewable strengths are a safe alternative to chewing clothes, fingers and toys or objects. Our Chewbuddy® Range has a variety of easy to hold oral chews that provide the user with safe oral sensory feedback.

✋ Tactile (Touch)

Your child may:

  • Dislike light or unexpected touch
  • Avoid grooming (hair brushing, nail cutting)
  • Seek tight hugs, being wrapped or deep pressure
  • Constantly touch and feel objects or people
  • Find it hard to identify objects from the way they feel

Helpful ideas:

  • Give warnings before touch
  • Use firm, predictable touch rather than light touch
  • Offer deep pressure activities
  • Offer games and activities that introduce new objects to touch and explore

Weighted Blankets or Weighted Animals , Weighted & Compression Clothing, can provide calming deep pressure for some children. Playmats & Floor Tiles with textured surfaces, Tactile Fidgets and other tactile play resources can become part of the child's sensory diet.

🤸 Vestibular (Movement & Balance)

This system helps with balance and movement.

Your child may:

  • Fearful of response to movement or having their feet off the floor
  • Get dizzy easily, may feel sick easily during or after movement
  • Constantly rock, spin, or move - on the go
  • Struggle with balance
  • Appear passive or under-alert
  • Struggle with balance and maintaining different postures against gravity
  • Struggle to save themselves if they trip or fall
  • Appear uncoordinated

Helpful ideas:

  • Offer regular movement breaks
  • Try swinging, bouncing, or climbing (if safe)
  • Use structured movement activities

Movement & Spinning activities, such as our very popular Spinning Seats, or our Therapy Balls and Soft Play Equipment can support safe movement opportunities at home.

💪 Proprioception (Body Awareness)

This system helps us know where our body is and how much force to use.

Your child may:

  • Appear clumsy
  • Use too much or too little force
  • Crash into things
  • Seek pushing, pulling, or jumping

Helpful ideas:

  • Heavy work activities (help to carrying shopping or laundry baskets, lift home-made weights, e.g. tin of beans or water filled milk bottle)
  • Wall push-ups
  • Resistance activities

Resistance Bands And Body Socks, Therapy Putty, and Gross Motor Play Equipment products can provide additional proprioceptive input.

❤️ Interoception (Body Signals)

This is the awareness of what is happening inside the body.

Your child may:

  • Not recognise hunger or thirst
  • Leave toileting until the last minute
  • Struggle to identify emotions
  • Feel internal sensations very intensely

Helpful ideas:

  • Use visual reminders for eating and drinking
  • Support emotional language development
  • Use body check-in routines

A Final Reassurance for Parents

Sensory needs can look inconsistent and confusing. A child might cope well one day and struggle the next. This doesn’t mean they are being difficult — it means their sensory system is working hard.

Small changes to the environment, offering movement, and using supportive tools can make a big difference.

If you’re unsure, an occupational therapist trained in sensory integration can help you better understand your child’s unique sensory profile.