SENSORY SENSITIVITIES

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