Sensory Difficulties
Sensory Difficulties
Sensory difficulties are common for autistic people. This means the brain may process sensory information differently, so everyday sights, sounds, textures, tastes, and smells can feel more intense (or not intense enough).
- Hypersensitivity: sensory input can feel overwhelming or painful
- Hyposensitivity: sensory input may feel “not enough”, leading to sensory seeking
- Overload: too much sensory input can impact behaviour, emotions, and communication
What are sensory difficulties?
Sensory difficulties happen when sensory information is experienced more intensely or less intensely than expected. This can lead to discomfort, distress, shutdown/meltdowns, or a strong need to seek certain sensations.
Sensory differences can affect wellbeing, emotional regulation, communication, and behaviour — especially in busy or unpredictable environments.
Types of sensory difficulties
1) Hypersensitivity (over-sensitivity)
Some people are very sensitive to sensory input, and everyday experiences can feel overwhelming.
- Sound: loud/high-pitched noises, alarms, busy places, or even “background” sounds can feel distressing
- Light: bright or flickering lights (including fluorescent lighting) can be painful or exhausting
- Touch: certain fabrics, labels, seams, or unexpected touch can feel unbearable
- Taste/Smell: strong smells or certain flavours can trigger nausea, gagging, or refusal
2) Hyposensitivity (under-sensitivity)
Some people feel less sensory input and may seek stronger sensations to feel regulated.
- Sensory seeking: craving movement, pressure, loud sounds, bright visuals, or touching objects
- Reduced pain sensitivity: not reacting to pain in the usual way (risk of unnoticed injury)
- Temperature: not noticing hot/cold easily or seeking extreme temperatures
3) Sensory integration (mixing inputs)
Sensory difficulties are often not just one sense. Some people find it hard to process multiple inputs at once, like listening in a noisy room while lights are bright and people are moving around.
How sensory difficulties can impact daily life
- Social settings: busy places (parties, shopping centres, classrooms) can cause overload, anxiety, or withdrawal
- Self-care: brushing teeth, washing hair, getting dressed, or showering can feel painful or “too much”
- Behaviour: overload can lead to shutdown, meltdown, escape behaviours, or repetitive behaviours for self-soothing
What looks like “behaviour” is often a communication of discomfort, overwhelm, or needing control/predictability.
Managing sensory difficulties
The goal is to create an environment that is comfortable, supportive, and responsive to sensory needs — not to force someone to “push through”.
Helpful strategies
- Adjust the environment: lower noise, reduce bright lighting, create a quiet space, offer breaks
- Sensory tools: headphones, ear defenders, sunglasses, fidgets, weighted items, chewing options
- Predictability: routines and visual supports can reduce anxiety and prevent overload
- Gradual exposure: for some people, gentle and controlled exposure can help (only when safe and agreed)
Sensory needs can change day-to-day. What helps one day may not help the next — that’s normal.
Try this now
- Lower sound / step away from noise
- Dim lights / reduce screen brightness
- Give space and pause questions
- Deep pressure (blanket, cushion squeeze)
- Movement break (walk, stretch, rocking chair)
- Fidget / chew / hand activity
- Swap textures (soft toothbrush, different clothing fabric)
- Use a timer + short breaks
- Offer choices (“now or in 5 minutes?”)
Writing down sensory triggers and supports makes it easier for school, work, and family to respond consistently.
If overload is frequent, it can help to identify patterns: What was the environment like? What was the demand? What changed?
