Understanding Sensory Processing Differences

Sensory processing plays a crucial role in how children understand and respond to the world around them. For many children with neurodevelopmental differences, including autism, ADHD, and Down syndrome, sensory processing doesn’t always work as expected. This can lead to challenges with sleep, behavior, learning, and emotional regulation. As sleep coaches, parents, and therapists, understanding sensory processing is a powerful step toward supporting regulation and well-being.

The Eight Sensory Systems

Most people are familiar with the five basic senses: sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. But there are three additional sensory systems that are just as important, especially when working with children who have sensory processing challenges:

• Visual System (Sight)

  • Function: Processes color, shape, movement, and spatial orientation.

  • Activities: Visual schedules, reduced clutter, dim lighting, calming visuals.

  • Considerations: Avoid bright, flickering lights; minimize visual overstimulation.
    

• Auditory System (Hearing)

  • Function: Detects and interprets sounds, including speech.

  • Activities: White noise machines, rhythmic music, headphones.

  • Considerations: Reduce background noise; allow for quiet time.
    

• Olfactory System (Smell)

  • Function: Filters and interprets smells; tied to memory and emotion.

  • Activities: Scented lotions, calming essential oils (lavender, vanilla).

  • Considerations: Be aware of sensitivities or aversions to strong scents.

• Gustatory System (Taste)

  • Function: Discriminates between flavors; influences feeding.

  • Activities: Oral motor activities (chewing gum, crunchy snacks).

  • Considerations: Respect food aversions; introduce new tastes slowly.
    

• Tactile System (Touch)

  • Function: Processes texture, pressure, temperature, pain.

  • Activities: Sensory bins, fidget toys, deep pressure (massages, compression garments).

  • Considerations: Avoid light, unexpected touch; offer choices for clothing and textures.
    

• Vestibular System (Balance & Spatial Orientation)

  • Function: Detects movement and orientation of the head.

  • Activities: Swings, rocking chairs, balance boards.

  • Considerations: Some children seek movement, while others may be overwhelmed by it.

• Proprioceptive System (Body Position & Effort)

  • Function: Senses joint and muscle movement.

  • Activities: Pushing/pulling games, weighted blankets, animal walks.

  • Considerations: Ideal for calming, organizing, and grounding the nervous system.
    

• Interoceptive System (Internal Body Awareness)

  • Function: Senses internal states (hunger, thirst, fatigue).

  • Activities: Mindfulness, body scans, emotion/feeling charts.

  • Considerations: Teach body cues and build self-awareness with visual supports.

What Is Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)?

SPD occurs when the brain has trouble receiving, organizing, or responding appropriately to sensory input. It can affect one or more sensory systems and often co-occurs with autism and ADHD, though it can also exist independently.

SPD can present as:

• Over-responsiveness (e.g., intense reactions to noise or touch)

• Under-responsiveness (e.g., not noticing pain or extreme temperatures)

• Sensory craving (e.g., constant movement, touching everything)

These differences can impact sleep, feeding, learning, social interaction, and overall emotional regulation.

Models of Sensory Processing

• Miller’s Model:

  • Sensory Modulation Disorder (SMD): Over- or under-reactivity to stimuli.

  • Sensory-Based Motor Disorder (SBMD): Impaired motor skills due to sensory issues.

  • Sensory Discrimination Disorder (SDD): Trouble interpreting sensory input accurately.
    

• Schaaf’s Model:

  • Builds on Ayres’ foundational work in Sensory Integration.

  • Identifies subtypes like somatodyspraxia, visuodyspraxia, and vestibular-bilateral deficits.

• Dunn’s Framework:

  • Describes sensory patterns based on neurological thresholds:

    • Low Registration: Misses input.

    • Sensation Seeking: Craves input.

    • Sensation Avoiding: Actively avoids stimuli.

    • Sensory Sensitivity: Easily overwhelmed.
      

Why Sensory Processing Matters for Sleep

When a child’s sensory systems are either over- or under-stimulated, it can disrupt their ability to fall asleep, stay asleep, or achieve restful sleep.

For example:

• A child with tactile defensiveness may resist pajamas or blankets.

• A child with vestibular seeking may crave movement and struggle to settle for sleep.

• A child with proprioceptive difficulties may struggles settling down

• A child with interoceptive difficulties might not recognize that they’re tired or hungry.

Integrating sensory-aware strategies into sleep routines, such as calming touch, deep pressure input, predictable routines, and environmental adjustments, can make a tremendous difference.

Supporting Children with Sensory Differences

Observe Patterns – Look for signs of over- or under-responsiveness across sensory domains.

Work with Therapists – Occupational therapists trained in Ayres Sensory Integration can assess and guide interventions.

Adjust Sleep Environments – Use sensory-friendly bedding, white noise, blackout curtains, or weighted blankets if appropriate.

Build in Regulation Tools – Offer sensory input before bedtime to support a regulated nervous system.

Conclusion

Understanding sensory processing is essential for supporting children with neurodevelopmental differences. When we honor how each child uniquely experiences the world, we can create environments and routines that promote peace, regulation, and sleep.

For families navigating sleep challenges related to sensory differences, know this: you are not alone, and there are tools and supports that can help. Sleep is possible—even with sensory processing differences.