Understanding Your Child’s Sensory Needs

Supporting Regulation, Comfort, and Confidence in Daily Life

Every child experiences the world through their senses — touch, sound, sight, smell, and movement. For children with autism, sensory experiences can feel more intense or unpredictable. Understanding your child’s sensory needs is one of the most important steps toward helping them feel calm, focused, and successful at home, school, and in the community.

At Access Autism Testing & Consultation (AATC), we help families recognize and respond to their child’s sensory preferences and sensitivities through compassionate, research-based guidance and virtual consultations. Our approach emphasizes comfort, regulation, and connection, not compliance.

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What Are Sensory Needs?

Sensory needs refer to how a child processes and responds to information from the environment. Some children may be hypersensitive (over-responsive) to certain sensations, while others are hyposensitive (under-responsive) and may seek extra input.

Examples include:

• Covering ears during loud sounds

• Avoiding certain clothing textures

• Seeking movement (spinning, jumping, climbing)

• Difficulty with bright lights or crowded spaces

• Fascination with visual patterns or small details

Understanding these patterns helps parents support emotional regulation and prevent overwhelm.

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How Sensory Processing Affects Daily Life

When sensory needs aren’t recognized, children may appear distracted, anxious, or resistant — when in fact, they’re trying to cope with discomfort or overstimulation.

Common areas affected include:

• Sleep: Difficulty falling or staying asleep due to sensory sensitivities

• Feeding: Avoiding certain food textures or temperatures

• Social interaction: Struggling in noisy or unpredictable environments

• Learning: Trouble focusing in busy classrooms

Recognizing these challenges as sensory-based, not behavioral, helps families approach support with empathy and strategy.