Understanding Sensory Sensitivities: Tips to Help Your Child Regulate
Sensory sensitivities can significantly impact your child’s daily life and their ability to regulate emotions and behaviors. Each child has a unique sensory profile, and becoming aware of their specific sensitivities and accommodations can make a big difference.
If figuring out triggers and regulation strategies feels overwhelming, play therapy and occupational therapy (OT) are great supportive options that often complement each other beautifully. Let’s explore common sensory sensitivity areas to get curious about.
Food & Taste Sensitivity
Watch for clues such as:
Limited flavor, texture, or color preferences
Impact on meal variety (30 foods or less)
Gagging or vomiting from certain smells or tastes
Auditory (Sound) Sensitivity
Signs include:
Frequently asking “What’s that?” about sounds
Difficulty recovering after loud noises like sirens
Trouble focusing in noisy environments
Feeling overwhelmed in crowded or loud spaces
Strong dislike for household noises (vacuum, blender)
Vestibular (Movement) Sensitivity
Possible indicators:
Dislike or difficulty with playground equipment
Motion sickness or dizziness
Balance challenges (stairs, curbs, tipping head back)
Avoiding spinning, swinging, or certain movement activities
Tactile & Touch Sensitivity
Look for:
Strong preferences or dislikes for certain clothing types/materials
Challenges walking barefoot or with hygiene routines
Avoidance of messy crafts or certain textures
Immediate washing of hands after touching specific items
Other Sensory-Related Behaviors & Traits
Additional clues to consider:
Long-lasting meltdowns (45 minutes to hours)
Trouble falling or staying asleep
Ineffective coping/regulation strategies
Difficulty with flexibility or routine changes
Appearing anxious or cautious
Holding it together in school but not at home
How Play Therapy Can Help
Play therapy supports children in exploring sensory sensitivities in a safe environment. Therapists can help identify triggers and accommodations for home, school, and beyond, while gradually expanding your child’s window of tolerance for sensory input.