Sensory Processing in Children: Signs, Strategies, and How OT Helps

Every child experiences the world through their senses — sight, sound, touch, taste, smell, and two lesser-known senses called proprioception (body awareness) and vestibular (balance and movement). For most children, the brain processes this input automatically in the background. For children with sensory processing differences, the volume is either turned up too high or too low — and the result can be meltdowns, avoidance, anxiety, and difficulty participating in everyday life.

Common signs of sensory processing differences

Sensory over-responsivity (the "too loud" setting):

• Covers ears at normal sound levels
• Refuses certain food textures or clothing
• Becomes distressed in busy environments like grocery stores or gyms
• Avoids messy play, sand, or certain materials
• Has strong reactions to light touch

Sensory under-responsivity or seeking (the "too quiet" setting):

• Seeks intense physical input — crashing, spinning, jumping
• Seems to not notice pain or temperature
• Chews on non-food items
• Needs to touch everything
• Has difficulty sitting still

How does OT help?

A pediatric occupational therapist will first understand your child's unique sensory profile — what inputs they seek, what they avoid, and how their nervous system responds across different environments. From there, therapy is tailored to:

• Build tolerance to challenging sensory experiences at a pace the child controls
• Provide "sensory diets" — scheduled sensory activities throughout the day to keep the nervous system regulated
• Teach self-regulation strategies appropriate for the child's age
• Help parents and teachers understand and accommodate the child's needs

A neuroaffirmative note

At Ocean Tide Therapy, we never aim to eliminate sensory differences. We support children in understanding their own nervous systems, advocating for their needs, and building the skills to participate in the activities that matter to them — on their own terms.