Sensory processing describes how the brain responds to information from the environment, which include sounds, movements, and visual cues. When the process is working smoothly, people can focus, learn, and engage with others. However, when challenges arise, those same experiences might seem unclear or even overwhelming.
These differences in sensory processing can affect attention, behavior, and emotional regulation. Clinicians routinely consider these patterns during evaluation to gain an understanding of how an individual experiences the world. One key area within this process is auditory processing, as it influences how sounds are organized and interpreted, but sensory processing differences can relate to all the senses.
Sensory Processing Risk Factors
Several factors influence the ways sensory processing develops. While they don’t define an individual’s abilities on their own, they can offer helpful context during both assessment and planning interventions.
Genes
Genetic factors can affect how the brain processes sensory input. Research from the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry suggests that sensory processing differences could run in families. It appears across a range of developmental profiles, including autism spectrum conditions (Taylor et al., 2018).
Birth Conditions
Sensory development can also be shaped by early biological factors. A study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health highlighted how pregnancy and birth complications, like low birth weight or premature delivery, can potentially influence how the nervous system responds to stimuli (Ptak et al., 2022).
Childhood Caregiving
Early caregiving experiences can also shape how children respond to sensory information. Research published in Development and Psychopathology found that responsive caregiving environments might support regulation and engagement. By contrast, a limited or inconsistent caregiving environment may affect the development of a child’s sensory responses in the long-term (Leah et. al., 2022).
Trauma
According to previous research in the Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma, those who have experienced trauma might show a heightened sensitivity or a reduced awareness to certain stimuli. The response reflects adaptive changes within an individual’s nervous system (Yochman & Pat-Horenczyk, 2019).
Common Symptoms of Sensory Processing Differences
Sensory processing differences can manifest in a variety of ways. Some individuals might seek more input, while others may try to avoid or limit their sensory experiences. Both patterns frequently impact attention, behavior, and emotional responses.
Common signs of sensory differences may include:
- disorganization; having difficulty organizing tasks, materials, or thoughts, which can affect learning and daily routines;
- impulsiveness; acting quickly without pause in response to sensory input or internal cues;
- distractibility; unable to maintain focus when confronted with competing sensory information in the environment;
- emotional dysregulation; experiencing strong or shifting emotional responses that are sometimes linked to confusion or sensory overload;
- anxiety; feeling a heightened sense of worry or discomfort when sensory experiences feel intense or unpredictable;
- avoidance of movement; avoiding activities that involve motion, like climbing or swinging;
- insecurity; uncertainty of one’s body awareness or balance, which can affect confidence in movement; and
- over- or under-response to sensory information; having too strong or too little reaction to sounds, touch, movement, or other stimuli.
Many clinicians employ structured tools so they can better understand sensory processing patterns. The Monteiro Interview Guidelines for Diagnosing the Autism Spectrum, Second Edition (MIGDAS™-2) supports a collaborative and strengths-based approach for working with autistic individuals by gathering detailed data about their sensory experiences through guided conversations and observations. This approach can help create a clearer picture of sensory processing abilities and how they affect daily life.
Why Sensory Processing Assessment Matters
Sensory processing plays a central role in how people interact with the world around them, and a thoughtful assessment can reveal both strengths and challenges. When professionals consider factors like development, environment, and individual experiences, they can gain a better understanding of behavior in its larger context. Such an approach can support more informed decisions while also promoting strategies that fits each individual’s unique sensory profile.
Research and Resources
Leal, A. S. M., Alba, L. A., Cummings, K. K., Jung, J., Waizman, Y. H., Moreira, J. F. G., Saragosa-Harris, N. M., Ninova, E., Waterman, J. M., Langley, A. K., Tottenham, N., Silvers, J. A., & Green, S. A. (2022). Sensory processing challenges as a novel link between early caregiving experiences and mental health. Development and Psychopathology, 35(4), 1968–1981. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0954579422000633
Ptak, A., Miękczyńska, D., Dębiec-Bąk, A., & Stefańska, M. (2022). The Occurrence of the Sensory Processing Disorder in Children Depending on the Type and Time of Delivery: A Pilot Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(11), 6893. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19116893
Taylor, M. J., Gustafsson, P., Larsson, H., Gillberg, C., Lundström, S., & Lichstenstein, P. (2018). Examining the Association Between Autistic Traits and Atypical Sensory Reactivity: A Twin Study. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 57(2), 96–102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2017.11.019
WPS. (2023). Assessing Sensory Processing Patterns: Explore Resources, Techniques, Key Insights, and Methodologies for Evaluation. https://www.wpspublish.com/content/research-brief/assessing-sensory-processing
Yochman, A., & Pat-Horenczyk, R. (2019). Sensory Modulation in Children Exposed to Continuous Traumatic Stress. Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma, 13(1), 93–102. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40653-019-00254-4
