Sensory processing difficulties in children can often be misunderstood as naughty behaviour…
“She screams every time I wash her hair.”
“He runs everywhere and bumps into things non-stop.”
“My child melts down at loud birthday parties.”
Sound familiar?
What many parents label as “bad behaviour” or “tantrums” may actually be sensory processing difficulties — when a child’s brain has trouble organising and responding to the information it receives from the senses.
This isn’t about discipline. It’s about how a child experiences the world.
What is Sensory Processing?
Sensory processing is how the nervous system receives messages from the body’s senses and turns them into appropriate motor and behavioural responses.
This includes:
- Touch
- Sound
- Movement (vestibular)
- Balance
- Vision
- Smell
- Body awareness (proprioception)
Children with sensory processing difficulties may be over-sensitive, under-sensitive, or inconsistent in their responses.
Signs of Sensory Processing Difficulties in Children
Over-responsive child:
- Covers ears or screams at loud sounds
- Hates hair brushing, tags, or clothing seams
- Refuses messy play (sand, paint, food)
- Avoids swings or movement
Under-responsive or sensory-seeking child:
- Crashes into furniture or people
- Constantly moving, climbing, spinning
- Doesn’t seem to notice when injured or dirty
- Chews non-food items like shirt collars or pencils
These behaviours may look like:
- Hyperactivity
- Avoidance
- Aggression
- “Defiance”
But they’re not about behaviour — they’re about regulation and comfort.
📚 What the Research Says
According to the STAR Institute for Sensory Processing (Miller, 2007), at least 1 in 6 children have sensory processing differences that impact daily life.
Australian OT research (Bundy & Lane, 2021) supports that sensory challenges can affect:
- Attention in classrooms
- Participation in group tasks
- Self-care routines (e.g. dressing, bathing)
- Emotional regulation
🧠 Real-Life Example:
“One child I worked with would hit others in group time — not out of anger, but because he was overwhelmed by the noise and didn’t know how to cope. Once we created a sensory break space, his behaviour changed completely.”
🧰 What Can Parents Do?
- Notice patterns
Track when certain reactions happen — is it after school? With noise? With clothing? - Offer sensory-safe alternatives
E.g., swap scratchy shirts for soft cotton, use noise-cancelling headphones at parties - Create calm-down zones
A quiet space with weighted cushions, fidget tools, or sensory toys - Respect their threshold
Avoid forcing them into uncomfortable situations (e.g., haircuts, crowded events) - Consult an occupational therapist
An OT can do a sensory profile assessment and suggest personalised strategies.
✅ Final Thought
Sensory behaviours aren’t about attention-seeking — they’re stress signals from a child’s nervous system.
With the right support, children can learn to self-regulate, feel safer, and fully participate in daily life.
📞 Wondering if your child’s behaviours may be linked to sensory processing?
SPOT Allied Health offers sensory assessments and home-based OT support across Sydney.
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📖 Ref：
-
Miller, L. J. (2007). Sensational Kids: Hope and Help for Children with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). Penguin Books.
