Educational note: This guide is original Nesto Autism Care educational content. Sensory processing differences vary widely between children. For a thorough sensory assessment, consult a qualified occupational therapist (OT) in your country.
What Is Sensory Processing?
Sensory processing is the brain's way of receiving, organising, and responding to information from the senses. Most people do this automatically without thinking about it — the brain filters out unimportant input and pays attention to what matters.
In many autistic children, this filtering process works differently. Sensory input that most people ignore can feel loud, painful, or overwhelming. Or, conversely, a child may seek much more stimulation than most — needing intense sensory input to feel regulated and present.
This is not a choice or a behavior problem. It reflects a real difference in how the nervous system processes input. Understanding it changes how parents respond — from frustration to support.
The Seven Senses — Not Just Five
Beyond the five senses: Beyond the well-known five senses (touch, taste, smell, sight, hearing), sensory processing also includes the proprioceptive sense (awareness of body position and movement) and the vestibular sense (balance and spatial orientation). Both are commonly affected in autism.
Over-Sensitivity (Hypersensitivity) — Signs by Sense
A child with hypersensitivity experiences sensory input as more intense than it actually is. Everyday sounds, textures, or smells can be genuinely distressing — not "dramatic" or "difficult."
Hearing (Auditory)
Covers ears in response to normal sounds (vacuum cleaner, hand dryer, crowd noise). Distressed by TV volume others find comfortable. Startles easily. Dislikes certain music or voices.
Touch (Tactile)
Refuses certain clothing textures (tags, seams, wool). Dislikes being touched — especially unexpectedly. Avoids getting hands dirty. Distressed by haircuts, nail-cutting, or face washing.
Sight (Visual)
Bothered by bright lights or sunshine. Squints in fluorescent lighting. Distracted by visual patterns. Prefers dim or consistent lighting environments.
Smell (Olfactory)
Reacts strongly to mild smells others barely notice. Avoids rooms with cooking smells, perfumes, or cleaning products. Smells objects before touching or eating them.
Taste
Very selective eating driven by texture, temperature, or mild flavours that taste overwhelming. Gags or vomits in response to certain foods. Prefers bland, consistent foods.
Proprioception & Vestibular
Avoids swings, slides, spinning. Dislikes feet leaving the ground. Moves carefully and slowly. May be anxious in new physical environments or on uneven surfaces.
Under-Sensitivity (Hyposensitivity) — Signs by Area
A child with hyposensitivity processes less input than expected — and often seeks out intense sensory experiences to compensate.
- Touch: Does not notice pain or temperature extremes. Touches everything. Seeks deep pressure — hugging tight, squeezing into small spaces.
- Hearing: Does not seem to notice loud sounds. Makes loud noises themselves. Loves very loud music or TV.
- Movement: Seeks spinning, jumping, rocking, crashing into things. Seems unaware of their own position in space. Craves swings and physical stimulation.
- Taste/Smell: Seeks very strong flavours or smells. Mouths objects beyond typical infant age. Eats non-food items (pica).
- Body awareness: Breaks things accidentally. Uses too much force in touch or play. Difficulty judging distance and personal space.
A child may be hypersensitive to sound but hyposensitive to touch. They may love spinning but avoid certain fabrics. Sensory profiles are individual — avoid assuming one pattern applies to all senses.
Practical Home Strategies for Sensory Support
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1Identify your child's specific sensory profile
Observe over 1–2 weeks. Note which environments, activities, or inputs cause distress and which ones your child seeks. This is your child's individual sensory map — and it is more useful than any general checklist.
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2Adjust the home environment
Remove clothing tags and use seamless socks. Use blackout curtains or dimmer switches. Offer noise-cancelling headphones for loud situations. Replace harsh fluorescent lights with softer bulbs. Small changes make a large cumulative difference.
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3Prepare your child for sensory events
Before a noisy environment (a wedding, a market, a school assembly), talk about what sounds to expect and bring comfort tools: headphones, a preferred toy, a quiet exit option. Preparation reduces anxiety significantly.
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4Build a "sensory diet" of daily activities
An occupational therapist can help design a sensory diet — a scheduled set of activities that provides the type and amount of sensory input your child needs. At home: swings, trampolines, playdough, water play, and weighted blankets are commonly useful. The Nesto app includes 1000+ activities across sensory support focus areas.
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5Never force a sensory experience
Forcing a child to "get used to" a painful or overwhelming sensory input does not reduce sensitivity — it increases distress and damages trust. Gradual, positive exposure with full control given to the child is the evidence-based approach.
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6Request an OT assessment
A qualified occupational therapist can conduct a formal Sensory Processing Assessment and create an individualised plan. In many countries, this is available through schools, hospitals, or private practice. Ask your pediatrician for a referral.
The Nesto App: The Nesto Autism Care app includes activities specifically targeting sensory sensitivity, tactile defensiveness, auditory sensitivity, and other sensory focus areas — all guided and designed for parents to do at home. The personalized support plan matches activities to your child's specific needs.
Sources & References
- Bogdashina, O. (2016). Sensory Perceptual Issues in Autism and Asperger Syndrome. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
- Dunn, W. (2001). The sensations of everyday life: Empirical, theoretical, and pragmatic considerations. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 55(6), 608–620.
- Marco, E.J. et al. (2011). Sensory processing in autism: A review of neurophysiologic findings. Pediatric Research, 69(5 Pt 2).
- American Psychiatric Association (2013). DSM-5: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). Hyper/hyporeactivity to sensory input listed as ASD criterion.
- Schaaf, R.C. & Lane, A.E. (2015). Toward a best-practice protocol for assessment of sensory features in ASD. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45(5).
