What is sensory processing disorder?

Because of developmental differences in their brains, people with sensory processing issues struggle to self-regulate their sensory systems, especially when they’re feeling overstimulated or understimulated by their environment.

Typically, children with sensory issues are either hyporesponsive or hyperresponsive to sensory stimuli, though it’s possible to be both, Dr. Marielly says.

• Children who are hyporesponsive are less reactive to sensory stimuli than their typically developing peers, and they tend to be sensory-seeking to fill the gap of what they’re missing.

• Children who are hyperresponsive are more reactive to sensory stimuli than their peers, and they tend to be sensory-avoiding because they’re bombarded with stimuli and want to pull away.

To read more about sensory processing disorder and treatment options, see this article.