Sensory Processing Disorders & Differences
Every moment of the day we take in information from our senses. Some people, including those who experience neurodiversity, may be oversensitive or undersensitive to the information. People who are oversensitive may get overwhelmed by smells, sounds, touch, visual stimuli, or tastes. This often results in discomfort ranging from mild to severe. People who are undersensitive may look for ways to get more of an experience, like eating spicy foods, playing loud music, or enjoying heavy blankets. This usually results in comfort.
Some examples of using items to meet sensory needs include:
- Crunchy snacks can be alerting – helping people to focus and engage
- Chewy snacks can be calming – helping people when they are feeling overwhelmed
- Fidget toys can be calming or alerting – helping people adapt to different situations
How can you help?
When someone advocates – do your best to accommodate them by being flexible:
- Some people may ask you to dim the florescent lights
- Some people may feel comfortable sitting on the floor
- Some people may have items with them that help them in your shared environment
Watch and listen:
- If someone seems uncomfortable – ask “Is there anything that you need right now?”
- If someone seems to be avoiding something – do your best remove it
- If someone is finding comfort in something – do your best to support it
How you can help yourself?
- Ask for what you need to be comfortable in your environment
- Bring items with you that help you meet your sensory needs such as gum, fidgets, etc.
- Excuse yourself and take a break if the environment feels overwhelming
