SENSORY SENSITIVITIES
It is worth spending time developing a sensory profile with the autistic person in your life. Whilst I believe all autistic people have hypersensitivity the way they will have adapted to that difference will vary from individual to individual. Some may continue to be hypersensitive in certain senses and others may have developed hyposensitivity (lack of sensitivity) in some senses as a coping strategy. Others may switch between hyper and hypo sensitivity depending on the circumstances, for example when we are tired, unwell, stressed or overwhelmed we may all find strong sensory input difficult to cope with. Here is a link to a video to help you understand what is feels like to experience sensory overload: Can you make it to the end? - YouTube.
Below is a table indicating some signs of hyper or hypo sensitivity followed by some strategies to alleviate difficulties associated with these experiences.
Signs of Hypo and Hyper Sensitivity
Hyposensitivity: Vision
Stares at objects or people
Flicks or spins objects in front of eyes
Easily startled by things in the environment
Difficulties with hand to eye coordination, reading and writing
Likes shiny objects
Enjoys flashing lights, light toys, coloured lights etc
May be drawn to certain colours, movements or patterns
Difficultly moving around cluttered environments and may bump into things more frequently
Dislike/fear of the dark
Hypersensitivity: Vision
Dislikes bright or flashing lights
Dislikes florescent lights
Dislikes certain colors
Avoids eye contact
Dislikes cluttered space
Dislikes certain patterns or clashing colors
Squints or covers eyes more frequently than others
Prefers the dark or low lighting
Easily distracted by visual stimuli in the environment and finds it hard to focus on ‘busy’ worksheets
Finds shiny objects distracting
Hyposensitivity: Sound
Does not always respond to name when called
Has difficulty distinguishing between different sounds and locating the source of sounds
May be drawn to sounds e.g. holding a ticking clock to the ear
Enjoys repetitive sounds e.g. listening to the same section of a song or flushing the toilet repeatedly
Makes noises for own interest or amusement
May speak too loudly
Hypersensitivity: Sound
Dislikes loud sounds
Finds it hard to tune out background sounds such as a ticking clock, buzzing lights etc
Unable to eat in noisy environments
Holds hands over ears
May hum or make noises to block out external noises
Gets distressed in noisy environments, may become fearful of objects or experiences that they relate to loud noises e.g. the fire alarm
May speak too quietly
Doesn’t like unexpected sounds, may find it easier to handle sounds when they are in control
Hyposensitivity: Smell
Smells everything including people
May not notice when foods have gone ‘bad’ or enjoy eating smelly foods
Seeks out strong smells such as perfume, markers, herbs etc
Hypersensitivity: Smell
Avoids environments with strong smells such as kitchens or environments that smell of bleach or fresh paint
Avoids strong smelling foods
May prefer well ventilated environments or being outdoors
Hyposensitivity: Taste
Adds lots of relish or sauces to foods
Eats inedible objects such as glue, paint, grass etc
Enjoys flavourful foods such as lemons and herbs
Holds foods in mouth or cheeks.
May seek out taste experiences, such as taking food from others, eating a lot of candy or mints or eating a specific nonedible substance such as grass
Hypersensitivity: Taste
Prefers bland or ‘fast foods’
Prefers food with a predictable taste such as bread and avoids less predictably tasting foods such as some fruits
Likely to be picky eaters
Dislikes
foods that have been mixed together
Dislikes trying new foods
Dislikes the taste of toothpaste
Hyposensitivity: Touch
Seeks out tactile stimulation and may use too much pressure in contact e.g. pressing too hard with a pencil, squeezing objects or others too hard
Not aware of light touch
Lack of sensitivity to temperature, pain etc
Lack of awareness when clothes are on incorrectly e.g if shoes are on the wrong feet or t-shirt is on the wrong way round
Enjoys messy play, water play, fingerpainting etc
May not notice when their hands or face are dirty or if they have a runny nose
Tends to put objects in mouth
Hypersensitivity: Touch
Dislikes being touched including positive touch such as hugs
Dislike of clothing made of certain materials, tags, seams etc
Dislike of messy play, fingerpainting or getting dirty
Sensitivity to temperatures
Dislike of texture of certain foods
Avoidance of different surfaces e.g. sand, grass, mud, carpet etc
Avoidance of water e.g. washing hands, showering etc
Sensitive to having hair or nails cut
Doesn’t like hair being brushed, braided etc
Doesn’t like brushing their teeth
Dislike of plasters/band aids
Hyposensitivity: Proprioception (awareness of our body parts)
Stomps feet when walking or walks on tip toes
Clumsy
Likes to jump and enjoys more boisterous play
Difficulties with balance
Difficulties staying still
May grind teeth or crack knuckles
May be physically aggressive towards others
Spills drinks and is a messy eater
Hypersensitivity: Proprioception
Poor posture
Clumsy
Difficulties with balance
Becomes tired quickly
Prefers sedentary play
Holds things weakly and may drop objects
Hyposensitivity: Vestibular (or sense of movement and our bodies position in space)
Enjoys movement activities such as swings, jumping, spinning and running
Make rock back on chair and find it difficult to sit still
Does not appear to get dizzy
Enjoys watching spinning objects
Hypersensivitiy: Vestibular
Avoids activities involving fast or unpredictable movement such as swings, roundabouts, seesaws, jumping or spinning
Dislikes heights
Difficulties with balance
Dislike of elevators and escalators
Dislikes head leaning back or being upside down
Dislikes feet being off the ground
Suffers from motion sickness
Difficulty moving between levels (e.g. stairs) and with uneven surfaces
Sensory Supports
Hyposensitivity: Vision
Move slowly and try not to surprise by approaching from behind or without warning
Decorate with pale colours and avoid patterns
Avoid clutter
Provide clear pathways to travel around the space
Markings on floor might help as guidance for where to stand for certain activities or where to put resources
Reduce distracting information on worksheets
Hypersensitivity: Vision
Avoid florescent lights
Use matt surfaces that don’t reflect
Sun visors or sunhats
Tinted glasses or sunglasses
Decorate with pale colours and avoid patterns
Avoid direct eye contact and placing objects in direct line of vision, peripheral vision may be preferable (looking through the corner of the eye)
Turn off computer screens when not in use
Use partitions to limit distractions
Use black and white worksheets
Reduce distracting information on worksheets
Seat away from doors and windows
Hyposensitivity: Sound
Use visual cues and supports
Use short sentences
Allow time to process verbal instructions
Listen to music without singing such as classical music (through headphones if needed) while completing activities
Hypersensitivity: Sound
Reduce background noise such as ticking clocks, fans or dripping taps
Noise defenders (head phones)
Avoid seating next to windows and doors
Use visual cues (may be difficult to filter voices form background noises)
Give advance warning of unavoidable loud noises such as the school bell
Provide information about sources of loud noises
Hyposensitivity: Smell
Provide essential oils, these could be rubbed on wrists
Provide access to smelling activities such as cooking or a sensory garden (an area with strong smelling plants)
Hypersensitivity: Smell
Avoid strong smells such as foods or perfumes
Be aware and reduce other background smells such as cleaning products or fresh paint
Keep rooms well ventilated
Hyposensitivity: Taste
Provide access to strongly tasting foods such as citrus fruits and herbs to avoid eating inedible objects
Provide sauces or herbs to add more flavour to foods
Chewing gum or mouth spray
Hypersensitivity: Taste
Consider the texture of foods, a dried banana slice might be more tolerable then fresh banana
Avoid other strong smells such as cleaning product or perfumes in food eating areas
If preferred provide foods separately rather than mixed
Hyposensitivity: Touch
Weighted clothing
Weighted bedding
Clothes that provide sensory stimulation e.g. pockets, buttons etc
Deep pressure
Chew toys or jewellery to provide oral stimulation
Fidget objects that can be held in the hand
TheraBand’s around chair legs to provide stimulation whilst sitting
Hypersensitivity: Touch
Soft clothing
Cut labels out of clothing
Avoid light or unexpected touch
Deep pressure
Gloves to wear during messy activities
Seat with back to wall to avoid unnecessary touch
Introduce new foods in child’s preferred texture
Hyposensitivity: Proprioception (awareness of our body parts)
Adapted equipment e.g scissors, pencil grips cutlery
Practice life skills such as dressing in front of a mirror
Chew toys or chew jewellery
Weighted clothing and bedding
Deep pressure
Hypersensitivity: Proprioception
Seat with back to wall to avoid unnecessary touch
Adapted equipment e.g scissors, pencil grips cutlery
Avoid unnecessary movements e.g. moving from area to area
Allow time to complete activities involving the body such as dressing
Hyposensitivity: Vestibular (where our body is in space)
Avoid clutter
Provide clear pathways to travel around the space
Markings on floor might help as guidance for where to stand for certain activities or where to put resources
Provide movement opportunities whilst sitting such as sitting on an exercise ball or inflatable seat cushions
Provide opportunities for movement breaks
Hypersensitivity: Vestibular
Reduce requirement for participation in activities requiring sudden movement
Weighted clothing
Weighted bedding
Ensure seating is correct height and feet can reach the ground
Avoid long journeys or provide support to cope with motion sickness