Sensory Processing 101

Understanding Your Child’s Sensory World

Have you ever wondered why some kids love spinning in circles while others get dizzy instantly? Or why your child might chew on their shirt, hate certain textures, or seek out big hugs? These behaviours often come back to how they experience the world through their sensory system.

What is the Sensory System?

Our sensory system is how our brain and body take in and respond to information from the world around us. We typically think of five main senses (vision, hearing, taste, smell, and touch), but did you know there are three more senses that play a huge role in how we move, feel, and function throughout the day? In occupational therapy, we pay close attention to all eight:

• Vision – sight
• Auditory – hearing
• Gustatory – taste
• Olfactory – smell
• Tactile – touch
• Vestibular – balance and movement
• Proprioception – body awareness
• Interoception – internal body signals like hunger or emotions

Everyone’s Sensory System is Unique

Just like preferences in food or music, sensory preferences vary widely from person to person, and even from day to day! One child might love the feel of tight clothing, while another might rip their socks off at the first chance. Some may crave movement and noise, while others need calm and quiet. These preferences can change over time and are deeply influenced by each person’s nervous system and daily experiences.

Let’s dive deeper into three of the “hidden” senses that are key to sensory processing and often come up in occupational therapy.

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Vestibular: The Sense of Balance and Movement

The vestibular system is located in the inner ear and tells the brain where the body is in space. It helps us balance, coordinate our movements, and feel grounded. For many children, vestibular input, like swinging, spinning, or rocking, can be incredibly calming or energizing. For others, especially those with vestibular sensitivities, too much movement can feel overwhelming, cause dizziness, or lead to emotional dysregulation.

💡 Not all movement is created equal! Linear movements (like swinging back and forth) can often feel calming, while spinning or unpredictable movements might feel too intense. Every child responds differently.

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Proprioception: The Sense of Body Awareness

Proprioception comes from receptors in our muscles and joints. This sense guides movement and tells us where our body is and how much force we’re using. Think of it like the body’s GPS! It helps us coordinate tasks like holding a pencil, walking up stairs, or knowing how hard to hug someone.

Occupational therapists often refer to proprioception as “the ultimate regulator.” It can help calm a dysregulated body or give a sluggish body a boost. When a child chews their sleeve, presses their body into furniture, or seeks deep pressure, they may be looking for proprioceptive input. Activities like climbing, carrying heavy objects, jumping, or squeezing stress balls can help meet this need.

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Interoception: The Sense of Internal Awareness

Interoception is our ability to notice and understand signals from inside our body, like hunger, thirst, needing to go to the bathroom, or recognizing emotions. For some children, interpreting these cues can be tricky. They may not recognize when they’re hungry or may have a hard time naming their emotions.

Building interoceptive awareness can help children connect physical sensations to their emotions and bodily needs, which is a crucial foundation for self-regulation and participation in daily activities.

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Why This Matters

When we understand a child’s unique sensory profile – their preferences, sensitivities, and needs – we can begin to create supportive environments and routines that help them feel safe, calm, and engaged. This can look like:

• Adjusting noise or lighting levels at home
• Offering movement breaks at school
• Creating bedtime routines that support regulation

This kind of intentional support is often called a sensory lifestyle, which is a personalized approach that weaves sensory supports into your child’s everyday activities.

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Looking Ahead

In future blog posts and Instagram content, I’ll be diving deeper into each sensory system and sharing simple, effective strategies you can use at home, school, or in the community.

If you’re curious about how your child experiences the world, or if you’re wondering how to support their regulation and development, reach out anytime. I’d love to connect and explore how occupational therapy can help.

Hand and Heart Kid’s OT offers in-home and virtual services across London, Ontario, and we’d love to hear from you! Reach out anytime for individualized support tailored to your child and family.

✨ Together, we can support your child’s growth through connection, creativity, and play.